MBA / FEATURE Eisenberg volunteers for the Montgomery County Child Advocacy Project, which provides free legal representation to children who are the victims of abuse and neglect. He has represented many children in PFA hearings, dependency matters, and as a witness in criminal cases providing child victims with a voice. Eisenberg resides in Lower Moreland with his wife Elana and their two sons William and Benjamin.
Risa Vetri Ferman, Esq. www.risaferman.com
Risa Vetri Ferman is the first woman elected District Attorney of Montgomery County, earning her seat in November 2007 after working 15 years in the trenches as a prosecutor. In 2011, she was reelected for a second term. As a prosecutor, Ferman specialized in prosecuting homicide, child abuse, domestic violence and sexual assault. As District Attorney, she dedicated her office to protecting our most vulnerable citizens. She was the co-founder of both Mission Kids Child Advocacy Center and Montgomery Child Advocacy Project (MCAP). In 2011, she wrote a children’s book The Mouse Who Went Surfing Alone to teach Internet safety to children. Across Pennsylvania, DA Ferman is a law enforcement leader. She is the President of the Pennsylvania District Attorney’s Association and was Chair of the first Best Practices Committee. The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania appointed her Chair of Criminal Procedural Rules Committee. Awards recognizing DA Ferman include: 2015 Montgomery County Black Law Enforcement Officers Association Lifetime Achievement Award; 2014 Girls Scouts “Take The Lead” Award; 2013 Aspen Institute’s Aspen-Rodel Fellowship in Public Leadership; 2012 L’Oreal Paris USA National Honoree/Women of Worth; 2012 Alan Lerner Child Advocacy Award-Field Center at the University of Pennsylvania.
Stephen G. Heckman, Esq. www.steveheckmanforjudge.com
As the oldest of five, born into a blue collar family in Pottsville, PA, and the first to go to college, Steve Heckman never dreamed then of the opportunity available to him now – running for the position of Common Pleas Court Judge.
SIDEBAR
Heckman graduated from Penn State in 1978 and Temple Law in 1981, which led to his first job as Judicial Law Clerk for Judge William H. Yohn, Jr. But his ultimate goal – at that time – thanks to two muggings at Temple, was to be an Assistant DA, which he achieved in 1983. Steve prosecuted numerous jury cases, including murder. In 1986 he joined Wilson, Drayer, Morrow and Furber where his experience broadened to defending individuals in state civil suits and federal civil rights cases, litigating family law matters, and trying capital and non-capital murder case appointments. In 1993 Heckman was appointed to the Criminal Justice Act (CJA) Panel, enabling him to try substantial federal cases. In 1995, he became a part-time Assistant PD in Montgomery County, leading to his 2008 appointment to serve as the Chief Public Defender of Montgomery County. Given this background Heckman believes he has developed the temperament, legal versatility, knowledge and experience needed for the Bench.
Natasha Taylor-Smith, Esq.
www.natashataylorsmithforjudge.com As Assistant Solicitor for Montgomery County, Natasha TaylorSmith provides counsel to several human services departments, including those serving older individuals and people with behavioral health issues or developmental disabilities. She also represents the county in real estate and contractual matters. Taylor-Smith honed her trial skills at the Defender Association of Philadelphia, where she advocated for clients in thousands of adult and juvenile cases. She also operated her own law firm, where she handled criminal, civil and family law matters for clients throughout the surrounding five-county area. A graduate of Hampton University, Taylor-Smith was an adjunct faculty member in the trial advocacy program at Temple Law School, her legal alma mater. She has been a featured Continuing Legal Education presenter for the Pennsylvania Bar Institute and the National Bar Association on issues including “Handling the Sexual Assault Case and Prosecuting Protection from Abuse Cases.” A longtime member of Salem Baptist Church of Jenkintown, Taylor-Smith teaches Sunday School, leads youth activities, serves on the Board of Activities and volunteers at a homeless ministry. In addition, she manages Little League Softball and serves on the Board of Directors of various non-profit organizations. Taylor-Smith resides in Cheltenham with her husband and they have three children, Christopher, Devon and Trinity.
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FALL 2015