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| Atty Alyssa Lopiano Reilly |
I've told you that Lisa Tresslar, despite her impeccable qualifications and outstanding performance, has been constructively terminated as NorCo's full-time custody master. She states her ouster was engineered by a troika consisting of Judges Jennifer Sletvold, Paula Roscioli and Court Administrator Jermaine Greene. One of these judges, Jennifer Sletvold, has been reported to the Judicial Conduct Board over actions she took in a custody case that have nothing to do with Tresslar. Judge Sletvold was reported by Attorney Alyssa Lopiano Reilly, who has practiced family law in Northampton and surrounding counties for the past 28 years and is the former President of the NorCo Bar Association.. Moreover, she has listed 16 attorneys as witnesses.
Like Tresslar, Lopiano Reilly had an alarming and very direct experience with vitriol and revenge-seeking on the part of Judge Jennifer Sletvold. She claims Judge Sletvold used her robe and her pen as weapons to try to intimidate and harm Alyssa and her professional reputation.
Lopiano Reilly represented Grandparents who were and still are caring for their special needs grandson. They had legal custody since the child was 30 months old. After getting an interim court order, they moved to North Carolina. They eventually sought to transfer jurisdiction to either North Carolina, where they lived, or Schuylkill County, where the mother had moved from Alabama.
Judge Sletvold made statements on the record that gave Grandparents reason to believe that she was biased in favor of the mother, so they asked her to recuse herself.
After this, the parties cobbled together a settlement agreement that transferred jurisdiction to Schuylkill County since nobody lived in Northampton. They also agreed to withdraw all of numerous pending motions, including the request that Judge Sletvold recuse herself.
After this was done, Judge Sletvold entered a 53-page Order responding to the withdrawn motion for recusal in which she savaged both grandparents and Lopiano-Reilly. She refused to withdraw her order even though the underlying motion for recusal had been withdrawn.
In that 53-page jeremiad, Judge Sletvold accused Lopiano-Reilly of all kinds of ethical lapses without bothering to offer the fact finding that should substantiate her denouncements.
Why does this matter? Judge Sletvold's order, seen by another judge in another county, would damage more than Lopiano-Reilly's reputation. She was clearly trying to poison an underlying custody case and influence a future jurist. To be very clear to you non-lawyers out there, Judge Sletvold placed a very long defamatory “Statement” in the record of the underlying custody case that had nothing to do with the subject child. In fact, as mentioned, the underlying custody case had already been settled by agreement of the parties.
What happened? Lopiano-Reilly got Sletvold smacked down by the Pa Superior Court. Here's what a panel of that court said: “…Grandparents aver that harm to their reputation [caused by Judge Sletvold in her “impermissible advisory opinion” on a “moot” issue] will contaminate any future custody matters…We agree…”
Grandparents are now safe from Judge Sletvold’s personal animosity and they still have custody of their grandchild in North Carolina. But, there are other litigants and children out there that may not have been and may still not be so fortunate.
That's why Lopiano-Reilly reported Judge Sletvold. Some lawyers do believe in justice. One only need to wonder how many lawyers and judges and litigants failed to speak for fear of retribution in the “Kids for Cash” scandal in Luzerne County and how many children were hurt in that process. Silence in this particular situation is also wrong.
Judge Sletvold is entitled to due process and will be given every opportunity to defend herself. That's something Judge Sletvold failed to provide to Lopiano-Reilly or her clients.
Or to Lisa Tresslar.
50 comments:
Tsk Tsk Tsk and she is up for retention?
She should not be retained! I voted earlier today and my ballot is a no vote for Sletvold.
she was always an idiot....how did the voters allow thix to happen?????
I voted NO on retaining Judge Sletvold. I've never heard anyone say a good word about her
Make our court better, more professional like Lehigh. Vote NO on retention!
Hopefully, we won’t retain Sletvold and she can go back to doing nothing again.
About someone stood up for how people are treated in that building. There is way more going on that should be investigate, especially with McClueless and his appointees.
This whole county is in shambles. And it all starts from the top. Lamont and chuck want to run this county like dictators this is what you get. Might as well board up the doors down at the juvenile justice building with what they just got in arbitration employees will be running away.
And the jail is right behind it is ready to fall apart. Gracedale is still a mess this county is in trouble. But no one cares
Yeah that's not kosher. Do better judge
"Judge Sletvold entered a 53-page Order responding to the withdrawn motion for recusal ..."
It certainly seems over the top. On behalf of us non-lawyers: is it?
I might be a dumbass but I never vote yes on judicial retention. What often times becomes a many decade seat on the bench seems to breed complacency and contempt. They do what they want and think they answer to no one. This is probably the only issue I agree with Matt F on. Vote her out!
Dumbass
She is the judge that dropped a car/extreme sentence on Clinton Oxford above and beyond his crimes!
To help educate and inform your readers since the story was released two weeks before the election, what were dates of the judge’s order, the appellate court decision, and the report to the Judicial Conduct Board?
How the mighty are falling. Sad.
Bernie how does a retention election work? In other words how many votes are needed for retention?
It was a no-brainer to vote no on her retention, from her going all Trump to get a coveted federal judge appointment (only to be snubbed). I am sure this is just the tip of the iceberg. She is petty, spiteful, and does not belong on the bench.
Thank you. Sletvold is an awful Judge and a black mark on our county judiciary.
Man do people make an opinion and bash someone without all the facts or what. God help us all. Someone after us for political or other reason and they can ruin your life.
It’s staggeringly long. Particularly since even a first year law student knows that a judge can’t opine on an issue not before the court.
I am glad to see that the mysterious "Dumbass" and I are in agreement. Sletvold has no business on the bench.
She is spiteful, rude, condescending and most importantly...incompetent. She is a judge who clearly has issues understanding where her power ends and where Constitutional limits begin. No thanks...Northampton County deserves better.
VOTE NO FOR RETENTION OF JENNIFER SLETVOLD ON THE NORTHAMPTON COUNTY COURT OF COMMON PLEAS.
No matter your political affiliation, no citizen of our county deserves the heavy handed and abusive conduct they will receive if this rogue judge is not tossed in the trash where she belongs.
There are many more egregious examples of Judge Sletvold's biased and improper conduct in custody matters. Keep digging.
"To help educate and inform your readers since the story was released two weeks before the election, what were dates of the judge’s order, the appellate court decision, and the report to the Judicial Conduct Board?"
If the goal was to impact an election, this story would have been reported before mail-in ballots were out. Most people who vote by MIB have already done so, This story was reported when I learned about it and was uncovered as a result of the ouster of Lisa Tresslar, even though it is unrelated to her.
The parties agreed that NorCo had no jurisdiction and to transfer jurisdiction of the custody dispute and withdraw all collateral motions, including the motion for recusal, on 11/23/21. Notwithstanding that a motion for recusal no longer existed, Judge Sletvold insisted on filing a 53-page response to it on 12/2/21. On 12/16/21, Judge Sletvold was asked to withdraw her response to a motion for recusal that no longer existed. On 12/20/21, Judge Sletvold refused. An appeal followed bc Judge Sletvold was obviously attempting to tarnish the reputation of Grandparents and their counsel with future judges. The Opinion of the Superior Court was issued 6/28/22. The Complaint with the Judicial Conduct Board was filed in September of 2022. The Conduct Board moves slowly, but has been interviewing the 16 attorneys listed as witnesses.
The length of Judge Sletvold's response, by itself, shows she is unhinged. In it, she raises completely unrelated cases involving Grandparents' counsel, but that have nothing to do with Grandparents or the child.
"Man do people make an opinion and bash someone without all the facts or what. God help us all. Someone after us for political or other reason and they can ruin your life."
That was precisely the issue before the Superior Court. A judge was impugning the reputation of two grandparents and their counsel in order to impugn them in proceedings in Schuylkill county. A judge can do far more damage to a person than any other.
Judges have immunity from suit for what they say in orders, so I don't think it's correct, technically speaking, to say that this is alleged defamation. Whether its judicial misconduct is another matter.
B.O., please explain how events that occurred that long ago only now are getting publicly discussed.
Why not post the order?
This is just an purposely timed hit job.
This judge doesn’t take any shit, and those accustomed to dishing it out take great offense to being put in their place.
Retention votes are usually settled in the affirmative. Most voters don't know judges. Human nature is to say "yes." I've always disliked the retention wording. While just as unfair, a re-wording to "Shall Judge Doe be thrown off the bench, Y or N,?" would result in fewer retentions.
Above comment submitted by Numbass
"B.O., please explain how events that occurred that long ago only now are getting publicly discussed."
First, these events are not that long ago. Second, judges serve 10-year terms. The entire 10-years should be subject to review, not just the last month. Clea4rly, there are those who will vote against her retention. My purpose in reporting this is that people should know that a judge up for retention is under investigation. She can ethically respond to this story if she wants. In addition, I want to note that Sletvold appears to have alienated people aside from Tresslar in matters that have nothing to do with Tresslar.
I do expect Sletvold to be retained. It is nearly impossible for a judge to lose a retention election.
"Why not post the order?"
For one thing, the 53-page order has been sealed. For another, I am not going to post 53 pages of defamation.
It may be true that Judge Sletvold has overstayed her welcome, but it may also be true that there are some who have decided to wage war against her just weeks before an election. That type of thing, as well as the anonymous posts are a large part of the reason quality people choose not to run for public office. Who wants to put up with the knocks, accusations, and nastiness? I always aspired to hold office, but I am too thin-skinned to put up with the comments of those of us who choose anonymity when posting criticisms.
Judges only have immunity IF they have the legal authority to act. The Superior Court found that SLETVOLD acted outside of the legal boundaries by finding that her opinion was only advisory and thus, not protected. That is why they struck it from the record- she knew it was wrong(as any first year law student would) and clearly abused her power. I wonder how much those poor grandparents had to spend on fighting this ridiculous action by a sitting judge while just trying to care for a child. They likely really paid for her stupidity. Thank God this lawyer has guts - I wish more did but they are probably all petrified for their own clients and SLETVOLD’s likely retribution. I heard she waits in the wings to get even years later….dangerous stuff
Sounds like this judge did get put in her place by the higher court - she’ll still get retained - voters don’t educate themselves but boy does this lend credibility to Tresslar!
It was within the last year!
100%
If this is a hit job, then the Superior Court is in on it.
Unlikely.
This judge doesn’t take any shit? More like this judge doesn’t respect the law or the citizens of Northampton County.
All the more reason to take her out now while she is vulnerable, and before we get stuck with another 10 years of her “I am the law” mentality.
If the order is sealed, then how could you have it except through impropriety?
How about posting the Superior Court decision?
"If the order is sealed, then how could you have it except through impropriety?"
I do not have it precisely bc the Superior Court sealed it after concluding it would unfairly damage a child, his grandparents and their lawyer. I have read excerpts in the brief filed by Att'y Lopiano-Reilly. I agree with the Superior Court It is littered with character assassination, aimed mostly at her. I am not posting the brief filed by Lopiano-Reilly bc of its length. A link to the online Superior Court Opinion is here: https://law.justia.com/cases/pennsylvania/superior-court/2022/109-eda-2022.html
Thanks for the link to the Superior Court opinion.
In case you have not figured it out yet, Matt Flower posts a comment under his name and then posts anonymous comments agreeing with himself to make it look like there is a groundswell.
100%. The law didn’t apply to her
In the case of this awful judge, I am quite content to post anything I have to say under my own name.
However, I am quite pleased to see how many people share my views on this one.
Sorry Jenn Sletvold…your chickens are coming home to roost.
It seems like Attorney Alyssa Lopiano Reilly has reported Judge Jennifer Sletvold to the Judicial Conduct Board due to alleged unfair treatment of custody litigants and their lawyer. Lopiano Reilly claims that Judge Sletvold used her position to intimidate and harm her and her professional reputation. The situation arose when Lopiano Reilly represented grandparents who had legal custody of their special needs grandson. They sought to transfer jurisdiction to either North Carolina or Schuylkill County, but Judge Sletvold's statements led the grandparents to believe she was biased in favor of the mother, so they requested her recusal.
After the parties reached a settlement agreement and withdrew the motion for recusal, Judge Sletvold entered an extensive order criticizing the grandparents and Lopiano Reilly, despite the withdrawn motion. This order had no relevance to the subject child and could potentially harm their reputation in future custody matters. The Pennsylvania Superior Court subsequently intervened and acknowledged the potential harm caused by Judge Sletvold's statements.
Lopiano-Reilly reported Judge Sletvold to ensure that other litigants and children aren't similarly affected. It's important to note that Judge Sletvold is entitled to due process and will get the opportunity to defend herself, something she allegedly failed to afford Lopiano-Reilly and her clients, as well as Lisa Tresslar.
My question is why didn't our county bar association circulate a retention questionnaire to bar members as has been done in the past?
Bernie: can you post a redacted copy of the decision?
I already posted a link to the decision. https://law.justia.com/cases/pennsylvania/superior-court/2022/109-eda-2022.html
"My question is why didn't our county bar association circulate a retention questionnaire to bar members as has been done in the past?" - I don't know when that was last done.
Yes. Why, oh why, is Lehigh County always greater than Northampton County?
She did this to me with my nephew she told my lawyer in 2017, that if I decide to fight that she will assign herself specifically to the case and I had a bad run when I was younger, I was going to retain her, but I decided not to, and she cursed me and she’s always remembered me since I was like 20 I have the writing that my lawyer gave me and I’m not a rich woman so that defeated me and I did not fight for my nephews that are in North Hampton county when I seen yesterday that she was up for Intention, it triggered it triggered me, but my nephews are lost in the system because of her
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