PRHNEWS
&
POLITICS
Local candidates set their sights on the Bench
James F. Berardinelli
Marissa Brumbach
Vincent J. Giusini
J
R
R
ames F. Berardinelli, a former homicide and special victims prosecutor who served more than 17 years in the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office is a candidate for the Court of Common Pleas and Municipal Court of Philadelphia. He began his legal career as a law clerk for Justice Frank J. Montemuro of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. In 2012, he founded James F. Berardinelli, LLC , where he specializes in defending homicide and major felony cases in the Philadelphia courts, in addition to handling civil matters. Berardinelli’s extensive and diverse experience, as well as his honesty and his integrity coupled with a keen legal intelligence and fair-mindedness, will make him a valuable addition to the Philadelphia courts. His favorite quote is by Abraham Lincoln, “The best way to predict the future is to create it.”
ow home-raised neighborhood attorney and Packer Park resident, Marissa Brumbach, is in her second decade in Criminal Defense and Family Law. She recently decided to take a new direction to serve the citizens of Philadelphia as a judge. For 19 years, Brumbach served as a clerk for the Honorable Amanda Cooperman of the Court of Common Pleas. As a lifelong resident of Philadelphia, she says the spirit of Brotherly Love is ingrained in her. She will continue to uphold the law in that same spirit of dignity, fairness and integrity. Her philosophy, she says, is that effective fair and impartial judicial decisions must hold sacred the undeniable right to a fair trial and due process. Brumbach has the judicial temperament of preparation, candor, courtesy, rules of law and will uphold the law based on the facts presented.
ecently appointed as a Special Master in Truancy Court by Judge Kevin Dougherty, Administrative Judge of The Trial Division, Judicial candidate for Court of Common Pleas, Vince Giusini has been a trial attorney for 29 years. The Philadelphia Bar Association has recommended him four times for Judge. As a Special Master, Giusini presides over truancy cases in the public schools on almost a daily basis, a task to which he is committed and honored to have been singled out for by Judge Dougherty, his longtime mentor. He has the highest ethical rating an attorney can achieve and has been a fierce advocate for our community. He and his family continue to reside in the 26th ward.
Vince Melchiorre Kevin M. Dougherty
“I
Christian DiCicco
am a public servant, not a politician,” says Judge Kevin M. Dougherty, candidate for the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. His roots run deep in South Philly. “I rely on you to tell me where to go. My greatest desire is to help,” Dougherty said recently while on the campaign trail. “I requested Family Court for that reason. To make somebody from nobody, you begin with the at-risk, the marginal. It’s about what we believe that transcends race, religion, creed or gender. Things that happen behind closed doors are played out in the courtroom.” Judge Kevin M. Dougherty has served as a judge on the Court of Common Pleas since 2001. He currently serves as the Administrative Judge of the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Trial Division, where he oversees all aspects of Pennsylvania’s largest civil and criminal trial court system. Judge Dougherty previously served as Administrative Judge of Philadelphia Family Court for nearly a decade, where he implemented major reforms to better serve our most vulnerable and at-risk citizens.
16
| rowhome magazine
C
hristian DiCicco, a prominent bankruptcy attorney, is running for Municipal Court, which is a court of limited jurisdiction with 25 law-trained Judges. DiCicco said, “I’ve sat on the Tax Review Board for years. Municipal Court is the level where the average citizen can get a case heard.” As a bankruptcy attorney for 15 years, DiCicco says he will have a common sense approach to money matters. “Most people are in Municipal Court because of money owed, bad contractors, water bill disputes and tax and transfers.” Born and raised in South Philadelphia, DiCicco says, “I live and breathe Philadelphia. My father, Frank DiCicco, was the First District Councilman for more than a decade.”
gohomephilly.com
J
udge Vince Melchiorre of the Court of Common Pleas honors his position with hard work and fidelity to the court. He is committed to the city, as well, through his tireless volunteerism. Melchioire gave up his practice to devote his time to helping the city of Philadelphia, he says – treating everyone with respect no matter who is in front of his bench. “A Judge can take your money, your freedom, your children, your property and your estate,” he says. It is important to elect individuals based on qualifications, experience and community service. Judge Melchiorre says his background makes him the right person for this position. Judge Melchiorre was involved in representing abused and neglected children and served as an attorney child advocate, pro bono. He served as Chief Legal Counsel and a member of the Board of Directors to the World Tang Soo Do Association, under the direction of Grandmaster Jae Chul Shin. The WTSDA is a worldwide martial arts association with member studios in more than 34 countries. He has served in these capacities pro bono from 1993 to September 2008. Vince supports numerous charities including Compassion International (Adopt a Child), Cheyenne River Outreach, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Officer Daniel Boyle Scholarship, Goodwill and the American Red Cross, among others.