Candidate for
Judge; Pennsylvania Municipal Court; District 1

I have been a life long resident of Philadelphia and I am committed to Philadelphia. I took advantage of the Philadelphia area schools: St. Martin of Tours grade school, La Salle High School, St. Joseph's University, Villanova Law School, and Temple Law School. I use the parks, the library, and the public transit system. I hold two graduate legal degrees, so it obvious that I value education.

I am a father to three lovely girls, one of whom has a disability, i.e., Down's Syndrome. Consequently, I am cognizant of issues involving disabilities and discrimination. I know what it is to support children and help with tuitions that sometimes seem enormous, as in schools like the University of Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, after a long and happy marriage, things changed and I experienced the domestic relations court first hand in my own divorce litigation, which was resolved by agreement at the master's level. I know what a gut wrenching experience divorce is to the parties. I am quite sensitive to family issues.
I have given back to my community in different ways. When asked, even though I considered myself a poor choice, I coached girls softball. I have been very active in Special People In Northeast, Inc., a non-profit organization serving the needs of mentally and physically challenged people in Philadelphia and the surrounding area, even serving as President for three years and later as Chairman of the Board. I taught Business Law at Philadelphia University, formerly known as the Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science.
I attended and successfully completed the Academy of Advocacy of Temple University School of Law, S.Gerald Litvin, Director. I received an LL.M. from Villanova University for the Graduate Tax Program. This was a three year course which assisted me greatly in my Orphan's Court cases. Later, I received an LL.M. from Temple University for the Trial Advocacy Program. This was an intensive one year program that has proved invaluable to me in my civil work. I have returned to the program annually to serve in some capacity, i.e., Trial Judge, Scoring Judge, or witness.
I have always been a busy man. In high school, I earned two varsity letters in crew and always held a part-time job. At times, I worked two part-time jobs while attending college full time. In my second and third year of law school, I worked nights on the weekends in the Philadelphia Police Administration Building, commonly known as the roundhouse, for the Release on Recognizance program.

I have practiced law for thirty four years before the courts of this Commonwealth. I have argued before District Justices, Municipal Court Judges, Common Pleas Court Judges, Appellate Judges and Federal Judges. I have tried many cases to verdict. I know the impact on a lawyer and on a client of winning a case, and losing a case. I can tell when a case should be settled and can reason with people to make that happen. Very few arbitration forums are foreign to me. My clients have included poor people, wealthy people, private business corporations, and insurance companies. The problems have included criminal, domestic, business, civil, real estate, decedent's estates and tax issues. To the people and entities involved, many of the cases were critical and potentially life altering. They have involved thinking, talking, persuading, analyzing, writing, trying, and arguing.
I have earned two degrees since graduating from law school. I believe my experience and education demonstrates I have a high degree of knowledge and ability to interpret the law and apply it to factual situations consistent with the responsibilities of a judge.
I am very proud of my record of involvement in public service and pro bono activity with Special People in Northeast, Inc. I have served on the Board of Directors for approximately twenty years. I have held several Officer positions, including President and Chairman. We care for mentally and physically challenged individuals, some as young as two months old, some senior citizens. We provide assistance ranging from therapy to community living arrangements. The success of SPIN has not been guaranteed over the years because the funding sources sometimes become scarce but with the help of many fine people serving in different capacities, we overcame obstacles and succeeded. I am sensitive to the needs of the less fortunate members of our society, both because of SPIN and because of the disability which my daughter Megan experiences.
I am cognizant of issues which are faced by minorities. My daughter, Katie, is adopted. She was born in Seoul, Korea and came to us at about six months of age. One of the principal reasons she chose the University of Pennsylvania, as opposed to many other fine institutions which had accepted her, was its diversity. Inclusion was important to her, as it is to everybody. These concepts are not foreign to me. I understand how important it is for a person not to suffer discrimination for any reason. My feelings as a father of an Asian born naturalized citizen has provided me with a sincere belief in a system that is fair and equal to everyone.
My youngest daughter, Patty, attends Temple University and loves it. She is a joy and a wonderful child.