Emmaus attorney Jarrah enters crowded Lehigh County judge race
A deputy Lehigh County solicitor is the latest attorney to announce a run for county judge. Eman H. Jarrah, 45, is vying for one of three seats that will be open in next year’s election. The Democrat says she’ll cross-file to appear on both parties’ ballots.
Jarrah has been a deputy county solicitor for 14 years, advising human service agencies that serve the elderly, intellectually disabled and those suffering from mental health issues.
She is a member of the Lehigh County district attorney’s Elder Abuse
Task Force and served on the Orphans’ Court Rules Committee.
A graduate of Dieruff High School, Moravian College and Dayton School of Law, Jarrah is an adjunct professor at Moravian College and has co-taught a course on science and intellectual property. She is fluent in English and Arabic.
“I am a mother, wife and lawyer with strong roots in the
Lehigh Valley — I value our community,” she said in a statement announcing her candidacy.
“Working for the County of Lehigh has given me fresh insights and impacted my legal career in a very meaningful way. I believe it is critical to remain open-minded, be a good listener, and have a thorough understanding of the law. It would be a privilege to serve as a judge, and if elected, I commit to be fair, balanced and equitable,” she said.
Jarrah lives in Emmaus with her husband, David, and two children.
She is the seventh attorney to enter the race. The other candidates are Allentown District Judge Rashid Santiago, defense attorney David Ritter, and civil attorneys Zachary Cohen, Tom Capehart, Maraleen D. Shields and Carlos Rodriguez.
There will be three seats up for grabs due to the retirements this year of judges Maria L. Dantos and Kelly L. Banach, and the departure of President Judge Edward D. Reibman, who recently announced that he won’t seek another 10-year term when his ends next year.