What Is My Why? – Advocacy
Why did I become a lawyer and why have I spent my career in the courtroom? Because people need someone willing to stand beside them when the stakes are high, emotions are raw, and the outcome truly matters. My purpose has always been to protect others when they are facing moments that can change the direction of their lives.
I began my legal career in 1988, admitted to practice law in Pennsylvania, but my understanding of justice was shaped long before that. Early on, I saw how the legal system can either overwhelm people or give them a fair path forward, depending on who is guiding them. That understanding deepened when I served as a Judicial Law Clerk for the Honorable Francis A. Searer in the Mifflin County Court of Common Pleas. Working closely with the court taught me how decisions are made, how details matter, and how real lives are affected long after the courtroom clears.
After three years, I moved into prosecution at the Blair County District Attorney’s Office, where I served as an Assistant District Attorney and later as First Assistant District Attorney. Those years sharpened my skills as a litigator and gave me a deep respect for the weight of criminal charges and the responsibility that comes with enforcing the law fairly and thoughtfully.
One of the most meaningful chapters of my career came when I served as a Guardian Ad Litem in the Blair County Court of Common Pleas. Advocating for the best interests of children within the Children and Youth system reinforced something I have always believed… that the law is not abstract. It is personal. It impacts families, futures, and the most vulnerable people in our communities.
In 2009, I entered private practice so I could use my experience to help individuals directly through some of the hardest moments they will ever face. Whether someone is navigating a custody dispute, a divorce, or the potential loss of liberty in a criminal matter, my goal is the same: to guide them through the process with clarity, strength, and respect. After more than thirty years in the legal system, I understand both the technical side of the law and the human side that often goes unseen.
Outside the office, I am a lifelong sports fan and a proud supporter of the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Penn State Nittany Lions. I played college football at Dickinson College, an experience that shaped my discipline and competitiveness, and these days I enjoy spending time on the golf course. I also love being outdoors with my dog, Stormy the Rottweiler, especially hiking at Canoe Creek State Park.
At the core of my work is a simple belief: People need strong advocacy when it matters most, and no one should have to face life’s toughest moments alone.
Bar Admissions and Memberships
- Admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar | Attorney in good standing admitted to practice in all PA State Courts
- Admitted to the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
- Attorney in good standing admitted to practice in the Federal Court
- Member of the Blair County Bar Association
Education & Training
- Dickinson School of Law State College,
- PA Juris Doctor 1987 Dickinson College Carlisle, PA
- Bachelor of Arts 1984
- Four-year letterman Dickinson College Football Team
- Member of Phi Kappa Sigma Fraternity
