Shaw touts law experience in race for judge

SUBMITTED B Y DEB SHAW

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself to the voters of Lawrence County.

I am a lifelong Lawrence County resident, having been born in New Castle, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania. I graduated from Laurel School District as the valedictorian of my high school class.

I obtained a bachelor’s degree from Westminster College in political science in 1994. I went on to obtain my juris doctorate from Ohio Northern University College of Law in 1997. While attending law school, I was a member of Law Review where I served as the Ohio Review Editor.

I am an active member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association and the Lawrence County Bar Association, where I serve on the Family Law Committee and as chair of the Scholarship/Essay Committee.

I also serve on the Board of Directors of the Children’s Advocacy Center, as its secretary. Additionally, I have formerly served on the City Rescue Mission Board and the Laurel Community Foundation.

I am a devoted member of the Harlansburg Presbyterian Church where I have served as an elder and church organist.

Immediately after my admission to the Pennsylvania Bar in 1997, I worked to establish a career as a licensed attorney in Lawrence County. For over 27 years, I have been serving the community by representing clients in all areas of the law, including divorce, custody, guardianship, adoptions, estate planning, probate administration, criminal and civil.

I have been appointed as guardian ad litem in custody actions and represented clients in dependency and delinquency cases for over 15 years. I now aspire to become a Common Pleas Court Judge in our county.

This year, voters are selecting three candidates to serve as Lawrence County Common Pleas Court judge. The impact of this election will have a lasting effect on our residents for years to come, and one of the major responsibilities of the winning candidates will be serving in the Family Court Division.

I believe I am uniquely capable of serving in this role, as I have devoted a substantial portion of my legal career to litigating and handling Family Court matters. Specifically, for the past nine years, I have served the courts in Lawrence County as the divorce hearing officer.

In April 2023, I was appointed as the custody conference officer. These two positions require that I hear arguments, evidence and make a legal recommendation similar to that of a Judge. As an extension of the court, my work in these capacities has provided me with the experience needed to continue serving our community as judge for the Court of Common Pleas.

Deb Shaw is a candidate for common pleas court judge in Lawrence County.