Meet Michele

Background and Experience

I spent the first 10 years of my legal career as a Deputy Attorney General. My passion for helping others was a perfect fit in the Public Protection Division. In that role, I took on companies that preyed upon vulnerable senior citizens. I sued car dealers who sold lemons to unsuspecting buyers. I went after contractors who did shoddy work or even flat out stole from Pennsylvania consumers. I also traveled to local senior citizen centers and community events, speaking out and educating people so that they would not fall victim to fraud.

I moved to the Criminal Division where I prosecuted cases in 22 counties in Western Pennsylvania. I presented cases to the Statewide Grand Jury and appeals to the Superior Court. I represented the Commonwealth in jury trials, bench trials, motions, pleas and sentencings.

After nearly 10 years, I entered private practice. As a defense attorney, I developed a new perspective and skill set. I learned about the other side of cases. I was able to look closely into the who, the why, and the how a defendant ended up in court. I believe it's so important to have experience on both sides. It changed my perspective and my life.

I spent 4 years as a Hearing Examiner for the Liquor Control Board. That role prepared me well to be a Judge. I presided over hearings and ruled on admissibility of evidence and credibility of witnesses. I applied the law to the facts of the case. I wrote lengthy opinions supporting my findings of fact and conclusions of law. Many important issues came before me during my tenure. I wrote the opinion allowing convenience stores to sell alcohol, and it was adopted by the Board and upheld in the Courts.

I was elected to the Moon Township Board of Supervisors in 2017. In that role, I was responsible for adopting local ordinances, overseeing a $16 million budget, negotiating contracts, bringing new development to the area and making important policy decisions affecting local government.

In 2019, I was elected Magisterial District Judge. I proudly serve the communities of Coraopolis and Crescent, Moon, Neville Townships. In that role, I have presided over preliminary arraignments, preliminary hearings and summary trials in criminal cases. I evaluate and grant or deny applications for search and arrest warrants. I preside over traffic and building code violation hearings. I hear Landlord Tenant disputes and civil cases. I issue emergency Protection From Abuse orders. Many important issues come before me on a daily basis. I have presided over thousands of cases and regularly rule on evidentiary issues and interpret and uphold the law. I preside over Homicide cases at the Pittsburgh Municipal Court. I am the ONLY candidate who as been a prosecutor, a defense attorney AND a Judge. I believe this experience has prepared me well for a seat on the Court of Common Pleas.

In 2020, the Chief Justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court appointed me to a seat on the Criminal Rules Committee. The committee is comprised of Judges and attorneys from all over the Commonwealth. We meet several times throughout the year to help write and revise the Rules of Criminal Procedure. The Supreme Court recently elevated me to Vice Chair of the Committee. This vote of confidence by the Court is one of the highlights of my career.

I am the ONLY candidate who has been a prosecutor, defense attorney AND a Judge. I believe this experience makes me uniquely qualified to serve on the Court of Common Pleas. I need your support to get there. I humbly ask for your vote on May 20, 2025.