She's a perfect fit. For one thing, Judge Zito is a lifelong resident of the Slate Belt. She's a 1995 graduate of Pius X High School. She graduated, magna cum laude, from the University of Scranton in 1999 with a B.S. in Health Administration and minors in Business and Spanish. Judge Zito received her juris doctorate (J.D.) from the Dickinson School of Law of the Pennsylvania State University in 2002. While in law school, she was a member of the Appellate Moot Court Board and conducted legal externships at the Pennsylvania Department of Health and with the law firm of Nauman, Smith, Shissler and Hall LLP. Judge Zito was admitted to practice law in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 2002.
In her young life, she's already had an extensive legal career in public service as a judicial law clerk to our best judges. She started with Judge Jack Panella,and when he was elevated to the Superior Court of Pennsylvania in 2004, he took her with him.
Unlike Common Pleas judges, who typically only keep a law clerk for one or two years, federal and appellate judges like to have at least one clerk who is always there. She became is Chief Clerk and and Deputy Clerk of the entire Superior Court of Pennsylvania until 2014. While there, she helped Judge Panella write the nation’s first Sexual Violence Benchbook. That book is designed specifically to guide magisterial district judges in the handling of crimes of sexual violence.
In 2015, Judge Zito accepted a short-term position as a law clerk to President Judge Stephen G. Baratta, Northampton County Court of Common Pleas to assist the Court with backlog. She went from there to a federal clerkship on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania with the Honorable Edward G. Smith.
Zito was nominated by Governor Tom Wolf and confirmed by bipartisan support of the full Senate on July 13, 2016, to finish the term of the late District Judge Todd Strohe.
Northampton County Court of Common Pleas President Judge Stephen G. Baratta has described her as “intelligent, decisive, principled and calm, all attributes that…serve her well as a a district judge.” State Senator Lisa M. Boscola said that “her legal knowledge, experience and integrity make her an outsanding choice for this position.”
In addition to her judicial experience, Judge Zito has committed herself to the education of young men and women in the community, as an adjunct professor in the Criminal Justice Department at Northampton Community College from 2004 to 2006 teaching courses in Criminal Law, American Legal Systems and Constitutional Law. More notably, as Magisterial District Judge, she works with Administration, parents and students in the Bangor and Pen Argyl School Districts in an effort to reduce truancy rates, provide guidance and, foster the role of education in every child’s life. This truancy problem is bigger than you might think,andit is refreshing to see a judge work to reduce this problem.
Judge Zito lives in Upper Mount Bethel with her husband Matthew J. Goodrich, Esquire and nine-year-old son, Gianni. I met him at a field event at the Stockertown Rod and Gun Club with this old guy who claimed to be his grandfather. That old guy is Senior Judge Leonard Zito.
Though her Dad is a judge, she's entitled to this position on her own merits. She is highly regarded in the community for her public service to youth organizations. She is a board member of the Slate Belt Little League, member of the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) at Five Points Elementary School and, serves as the Director of Rebels Elite Cheer and Gymnastics. In 2015, she was honored by Eastern Cheer and Dance Association as the “Coach of the Year” and featured in a national magazine for her work as a coach, mentor and role model to young athletes in the community. She is also a lifelong parishioner at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Bangor, PA.
Judge Zito is honored to serve her communities as Magisterial District Judge and she looks forward to continuing to serve the Slate Belt with dignity, fairness and respect.
33 comments:
Of course the young woman is qualified.
You have pointed out a few things in the past. You have complained that at this basic level of magistrate too many lawyers and now judges are getting the positions as opposed to regular folks. Also is it a bit too connected to have a senior judges daughter become a judge in the same county as her father.
It is obvious she will win the seat and I doubt she will even have any opposition. Just some thoughts.
She will have opposition. I believe a secretary in Schlegel's office will run, and there are always lawyers and cops interested in the job. I generally like nonlawyers as MDJs, but have no hard and fast rule. What I like about Zito are her very deep Slate Belt roots and her involvement in her community. I actually have read parts of the bench book she helped Judge Panella write. She is a sharp lawyer, and the Slate Belt is lucky to have her.
The last thing the local judiciary needs is more baked Ziti, that branch of italians are unfit for service on the bench.
The above comment is from. Tricia Mezzacappa, who launched disgusting personal attacks against Senior Judge Leonard Zito. He never held it against her bc he is a fair man.
"looks like all current and past NC judges moved her along in her career?
"young woman" and "young life"?? She's 39 years old! You are an old fart!
^ Pot calling Kettle?
Ziti Sr.'s al dente gray matter is an example of what spending too much time in a seated position can do to one's cognitive abilities.
Constable cRaZy, you're hardly someone I'd consider an expert on cognitive abilities.
Got to give her props on political shrewdness. She goes by her maiden name of Zito. Politically that is smart especially in the slate belt. I doubt if she went by Goodrich she would get the same voter traction. Kudos for the political knowledge.
Many women retain their maiden name when they marry. Taking on a husband's name implies some kind of subservient role
Bernie,
your 3:22 comment hit the nail right on the head, were is itz gregy in this hole matter of juttbageality that is a similar ACT to beasteality? Just be blunt and tell it to crawl back under the rock wence it slithered from under! Damm that thing gotta sneak up on a glass of water to get a drink and to think sompin is hittin that is simply put, repulsive to say the least.
Constable Communale is also running for MDJ. Although highly qualified many residents in that area have complained that she was given that job. Why would someone with such high qualifications want such a low on the totem poll job like this? This job was always meant for the regular Joe to preside over the people's court.
Strohe was an excellent MDJ in that area and got sick while on the bench. There won't be a sympathetic vote this time. We will see what the voter's think come election time.
Todd Strohe would approve..may he rest in peace. The region deserves a solid local judge now. I'm sure she will win handily as name recognition is huge in the region.
After having to deal with the likes of Sherwood Grigg...off and on..for way too long..she is what we need.
Agree with 3:52, If you are running for an office in the Slate Belt using the Zito name is the way to go. Will probably knock out most of no tall competition.
"if not all competition"
Sherwoood Griggy knows how to party, his carpet matches teh drapes unlike the Donald
This woman was given this job. Another feeder at the trough. She daddy got her he other jobs for her too.
SHE HAS NEVER BEEN IN COURT NOR EVR TRIED A CASE-FACT BERNIE!
She is yes a nice girl.... good family..... BUT she has never had a job the wasn't political handed to her by daddy.
This is total BS ND SHE WIL HAVE PEOPLE RUNNNG and se isn't gonna win Dddy isn't the biggee he thinks he is- SHE has done nothing but got jObs cause of DADDY AND SNT QAULIFED. SHE IS A GLORIFED SECRETARY FOR A REAL JUDGE-
Hate much anon 11:57?
I will say Bernie, it looks like you just posted a straight forward press release. Don't blame you, don't want to piss off the judges.
It is my own story. Obviously, I did not get a news release claiming I know Gianni or discussing the details of the Benchbook. But certainly, I did receive and relied on a news release to prepare my own story. When I republish a news release, I try to tell my readers.
You do not need to be a lawyer or have tried a case for this position. Experience speaks for itself. Spell check is an easy function to employ.
Let's see. She's been attacked bc she happens to be a lawyer. And she's been attacked bc she's not really a lawyer. All attacks have been anonymous, betraying a lack of integrity I find distasteful in someone seeking a judgeship on any level. From what I hear, she has already made a difference and has been a fair judge. The people will decide.
Yes Bernie, I agree with you -I prefer non-lawyers in this post also. Although a couple attys. presently in this position really act like real local people for the most part.BUT, I have to agree with you . I have done arraignments in the past as Constable out of this area and the atty's tended to get somewhat wrapped around the axle.
I loved being in Griggs court room .It always gave the feeling of Mayberry RFD on TV as a kid. He would light up and had a phone under the bench. Wouldn't take any crap and called it as it was. Walter in Palmer Twp. had a room off his drive way for late light duty 'drive by;s' Joe Leo alway had a woman named JOAN HETZEL -HITZEL or NUDING every month, same person-new scam. and would come in smiling -ha. When Ralph moved in on the Palmer office, this was a big deal. A member of the bar,wow-- how are you supposed to get off with all the knowledge.Before that earlier was Joe FRITZO -JP had to go to his car lot at 13th and Butler if I remember. Things are -a-change n.
Pete I doubt that Joan Hitzel was nude in her office. Show some class, man.
The SB needs a competent and able district judge. Jason LaBar now appears to be also running. These are two very well known names in the area. Should be a close race.
Griggy was a mess and we all know it. Those days are now behind us and good riddance to those good old boy times. Adios Sherwood..put the robe in moth balls...for good.
. SHE IS A GLORIFED SECRETARY FOR A REAL JUDGE-
I take offense to this !! as I was a Secretary for executives at AT&T HQ in Bedminster. And let me tell you something -- w/o a competent admin following and supporting your endeavors, the goals and the end result YOU HAVE CHAOS!
oh and BTW Anonymous you spelled Glorified wrong don't you have spell check ??
Gee Bernie when are you going to make those Anon poster actually admit who they truly are in name, even first name validation.
I'd like to see where she stands on the crap factory the the Synagro company is trying to build at the Waste Management facility in Plainfield Township. Especially since her husband is the local lawyer representing Synagro.
Tom, While I certainly understand your animus to a shit bakery in Pen Argyl, everyone has the right to counsel. The fact that Alicia's husband is paid local counsel to Synagro in a land use matter is no reflection of his personal beliefs. I know many attorneys who take positions that are unpopular. Also, his wife has no veto power over who he represents. Finally, how she feels about Synagro is something she should keep to herself because some matters involving Synagro could end up in her court. Any judicial candidate playing on your sympathies to garner a few votes (and I know of none) is already displaying betraying a bias.
Let me add that I think Synagro is a responsible company and performs a much-needed service. I get the desire to keep it out of your community, but until you figure out how to stop shitting, we will need them.
If they're such a responsible company and doing such a needed service maybe you could find a way to bring it to Nazareth. I'm sure your neighbors wouldn't mind.
Like I said, I understand why some Pen Argyl residents wouldn't want it. Not sure whether a majority is opposed, based on the few who attended the Q&A session. It makes sense next to a landfill, which already stinks and is burning methane to generate electricity. But there are questions that need to be answered. The wastewater going into an impaired creek is one concern,and the possibility of more odor is another. Would I like it in Nazareth?No, but we don't have a landfill that burns methane gas.
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