Walsh running for judge in Westmoreland County
State Rep. Justin Walsh announced his candidacy for judge in Westmoreland County Common Pleas Court.
With over 22 years of broad based experience as an attorney, trusted conservative legislator and small businessman, Walsh pledged to continue his work protecting local families and their constitutional rights.
“Recent events in Washington, D.C. and right here in Pennsylvania convinced me that, now more than ever, we must have strong conservative judges on the bench,” said Walsh, a Rostraver Township Republican. “The decision by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to judicially gerrymander the 2018 Congressional districts, drove me to run for judge after long discussions with my wife and family.”
Walsh has been a county resident for the past 21 years. He was a 1990 graduate of Yough High School, graduated Summa Cum Laude from Saint Francis University and obtained his law degree from Seton Hall University School of Law. He was admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar in 1997 and is a member of bar associations in Westmoreland and Washington counties. He currently practices in Greensburg.
“As a judge, I will bring more than two decades of broad-based experience as a trusted attorney and state legislator to the bench to ensure fair justice that helps protect the people of Westmoreland County,” said Walsh.
Prior to being elected to the state legislature in 2016, Walsh ran his own law firm or practiced as a partner in a small general practice firm handling all areas of the law. He gained experience in a broad range of legal areas including criminal defense, juvenile delinquency and dependency, divorce and custody, real estate, wills and estates, workers compensation and unemployment compensation, business and contracts.
“People who know me know I will be a tough, fair judge who will interpret and apply the law, but never legislate from the bench,” said Walsh. “As an attorney, I have zealously represented my clients through all levels of the justice system. As a state representative, I have played a part in passing tough laws to hold criminals accountable. I am running for judge to continue this history of public service and ensure a quality judiciary for Westmoreland County.”
Walsh vowed to run an efficient court system.
In the legislature, Walsh serves on the judiciary committee and has been an advocate for laws that preserve public safety. He successfully fought to root out corruption in Harrisburg, increase penalties for drug crimes and impose tougher penalties for those who victimize the elderly. Walsh has refused a state pension and the other costly perks.
“I have seen firsthand the horrible impact of the drug epidemic, and I have sat with crime victims as they worked to rebuild their lives. I understand what the people of Westmoreland County expect from their judge: someone committed to providing a fair trial while preserving the rights of the law-abiding community,” he said.
He and his wife Jennifer have three children; Nicholas, 12; Payton, 10 and Lily, 8.