The Law Office of Deborah M. Truscello

Business Profile by Sheila Turner-Hilliard

Photos courtesy of Deborah M. Truscello, Esq.

Since 1993, the Law Office of Deborah M. Truscello has been providing legal representation to residents of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The office is a full-service law firm providing counsel in all areas of personal injury, work accidents, divorce, custody, real estate, wills, estates and social security disability.

Deborah (“Debbie”) Truscello, a civil trial attorney for the past 32 years, is honored to help Delaware County residents get the legal representation and justice they deserve.

Where there’s a will, there’s a way,” said Debbie. “I truly care about my clients, and I work hard to get them the best possible outcome while being mindful of their wallet.”

Her personal experiences combined with her expertise as both a trial attorney and a judge are why her clients and colleagues describe her as qualified, consistent and compassionate.

Deborah M. Truscello, Esq.

Debbie is a lifelong resident of Delaware County who was born and raised in Folcroft. Her parents were very involved in the community. Debbie’s mother was a community organizer, and her father served in public office and helped shape Pennsylvania’s Magisterial Court system. “My parents did a lot for our town, and our door was always open to family, friends and neighbors,” she said. “I was always right there by their side as they worked to improve our community.” Among the many community service projects her parents spearheaded was building a new town library when the old one was slated to close.

Debbie attended grade school in the Southeast Delco School District. She attended high school in Delaware, at Archmere Academy, which is known for its rigorous college preparatory curriculum. She went on to study at Elizabethtown College, and while there, she was awarded a scholarship to study abroad at St. Paul’s and St. Mary’s College in Cheltenham, England. Debbie earned that scholarship after placing first in a Frenchspeaking legal debate about euthanasia.

After studying abroad and earning her degree from Elizabethtown College in 1985, Debbie went on to study law at Capital University School of Law in Columbus, Ohio. She received her Juris Doctor (J.D.) in 1988 and began her career serving the residents of her hometown and surrounding Delaware County.

Judge Deborah M. Truscello (2nd row, far right) served as Magistrate from 1998-2005

Like most recent law graduates, Debbie first served as a law clerk, conducting legal research, preparing bench memos, drafting orders and opinions, communicating with counsel and assisting the judge during courtroom proceedings. She worked for one year for Judge Vincent Cirillo, the President Judge of PA’s Superior Court.

The following year, she had the privilege of working under Judge Rita Prescott, the first woman to become a Delaware County Court of Common Pleas Judge. “Judge Prescott was a great teacher,” Debbie recalled. “She had me work on every aspect of a case, from pre-trial to posttrial and opinion-writing for civil and criminal cases.” Debbie said that Judge Prescott taught her how to make it as a woman in law and was instrumental in Debbie’s decision to establish her general counsel law firm in Media in 1993.

With her law firm running smoothly, Debbie turned her eye toward an opportunity to serve her community from the bench. In 1998, Debbie was appointed and then elected in 1999 as Magisterial District Judge covering Folcroft, Tinicum and the Philadelphia International Airport. She said that during her eight years serving in that role, the sheer number and variety of cases helped her better understand the uniqueness of every case.

Because of where we were located, we covered cases that not only involved our local police force, but also state troopers and federal customs agents,” Debbie explained. “We handled 7,000–10,000 cases each year, and I am proud to say all with consistency and compassion.

Some of Debbie’s most memorable and far-reaching work occurred during that time. As Magisterial District Judge, Debbie developed the Juvenile Mentoring Program to help troubled youths learn compassion and gain self-confidence. She explained that juveniles in her court learned that they would have to answer to the infractions instead of their parents paying a fine.

I had them read books about their favorite subject, write letters of apology, and bring their school report cards to me," Debbie recalled. "I also sent them to Elwyn, to spend time with the physically and mentally challenged youth in our area.

Her work was so successful in reducing the number of repeat offenders that it garnered bipartisan support. She has also served as an arbitration panelist deciding cases in the Delaware County Courthouse.

In 2005, Debbie returned exclusively to her practice in Media. In addition to her regular caseload, Debbie takes time to dedicate her expertise and talents to those in need. She takes on pro bono work for those who can’t afford an attorney and is a passionate advocate for children who suffer abuse.

Debbie Truscello with Legal Assistant Rosemary Procaccini and Max the office pup

Deborah Truscello’s commitment to the residents of Delaware County is admirable and certainly genuine.

I live here and I work here,” Debbie said. “I want to make our community better and I seek opportunities to serve the residents.

Indeed, new clients and new cases are ahead for Debbie. When asked what else may be in her future, Debbie shared how she wants to help implement a Juvenile Mentoring Program and continue using her years of experience working with abused children, perhaps one day as a judge. Time will tell. But for now, anyone who has Deborah M. Truscello on their side has a qualified and trusted legal mind to help them make critical legal decisions and make a huge positive difference.

Publisher’s Note: The Law Office of Deborah M. Truscello is located at 206 West State Street Suite 100, Media. For more information, call 610-892-4940 or visit their website at www.TruscelloLaw.com.

Facing divorce, child support or custody matters?

Suffered a serious injury at work or in an accident?

Social Security Disability needed or at risk?

YOU NEED AN ATTORNEY WHO CAN HELP.

Deborah M. Truscello is your best choice!

• Family law • Work injury claims

• Personal injury • Social security disability

• Criminal defense • Wills & Estates

• Real estate • Orphan’s court/elderly

• Reasonable rates • Free consultation

610-892-4940

www.TruscelloLaw.com

206 West State Street, Suite 100, Media