Costanzo takes the helm as president judge in Washington Co. Courthouse
A new president judge is now at the helm of Washington County Court of Common Pleas, making it the third person to lead the courthouse in less than a year-and-a-half.
President Judge Valarie Costanzo was sworn-in Monday morning to serve in the chief judiciary role at the courthouse upon former president judge Gary Gilman’s retirement going into effect Sunday.
“As I look forward to stepping into the role of president judge, I am truly honored by the opportunity to serve the people of Washington County,” Costanzo said in a written statement released by county officials Monday. “I plan to lead our court with a strong focus on fairness, transparency and efficiency, and to work closely with my fellow judges, county commissioners, and other elected officials. Together, we can ensure our justice system works effectively and earns the trust of everyone in our community.”
Costanzo was in numerous meetings Monday as she began her new position as president judge, and she “hoped to foster a positive and productive work environment” for all courthouse employees in her leadership role.
“Effective communication and collaboration are key to ensuring a smooth functioning of the court,” she said in a brief interview Monday afternoon.
Gilman, who was elevated to president judge in January 2024 after Judge John DiSalle made the surprise announcement he was stepping aside from that position, indicated in March he planned to retire from the bench after serving since 2012. That put Costanzo in the line of succession to become the next president judge.
Costanzo and fellow Judge Michael Lucas were both elected to the bench in 2013, giving them identical seniority within the courthouse. But a drawing of the lots after they were seated more than a decade ago gave Costanzo the advantage, putting her in position to one day becoming president judge.
Costanzo, who grew up in Canonsburg and a lifelong Washington County resident, graduated from Canon-McMillan High School in 1987 before earning her undergrad from the University of Pittsburgh in 1991 and earning her law degree in 1994. The Cecil Township resident began her legal career as a prosecutor in the Washington County District Attorney’s Office and was appointed magistrate by then-Gov. Tom Ridge in 1998. She was elected to full, six-year terms on three occasions before winning election to the Washington County Court of Common Pleas in 2013.
She has presided over a wide range of cases, including divorce and custody, juvenile delinquency and dependency, DUI court, termination of parental rights and adoptions, and most recently has handled mainly criminal court cases. Costanzo apparently will continue handling criminal dockets as she is scheduled to preside over a capital murder case in September.
WIth Gilman’s retirement, there will be at least one vacancy on the bench for the next 16 months. There could be more if Judge Brandon Neuman is elected to the state Superior Court in the November general election and if DiSalle, who filed paperwork to run for retention in the fall, is rejected by voters or changes his mind and instead decides to retire.
For the time being, Senior Judge Katherine Emery, who is Gilman’s wife and served as Washington County’s president judge for several years until her retirement as a full-time judge in the beginning of 2021, already has an office in the courthouse and will serve temporarily on the bench through the end of July, according to an order signed by Gilman in May.
It’s not known who will permanently replace Gilman or if various senior judges will fill the role until an election for his position is held in 2027. Gov. Josh Shapiro could appoint a replacement with confirmation from the state Senate, although it’s not known if there are any plans at this time to do so.