Scheidt seeking election as Berks judge
She has been a lawyer for more than three decades
Having worked as a lawyer in and out of courtrooms for more than 30 years, Jill Scheidt is seeking to become a Berks County judge.
Scheidt, a Republican from Wyomissing, has crossfiled for both major-party nominations this year.
If elected, Scheidt will assume one of two seats that were vacated by the retirement of Judge Timothy J. Rowley in 2021 and the death of Judge Paul M. Yatron in 2022.
In announcing her candidacy, Scheidt, 55, described herself as a constitutional conservative whose broadbased legal experience would help to make her the right person for the bench.
Having litigated hundreds of civil, criminal, and family law proceedings, Scheidt said she has the background that a judge will need.
“As judge, I will bring over three decades of extensive legal experience in criminal, civil and family law and my understanding of our community to the bench to ensure fair justice while protecting county families and upholding the constitutional rights of all residents,” she said.
Scheidt has handled numerous cases from trial through appeal to the Pennsylvania Superior and Supreme courts, and she said her hard work and dedication have earned her a reputation as a tough, honest and ethical attorney.
In 2022, nationally recognized Martindale-Hubbell awarded her with the highest “preeminent” peer rating for maintaining the highest level of ethical and professional standards, she said.
“We need tough, constitutional conservative judges who protect our families, children and the most vulnerable in society, but we also need those judges to be committed to upholding the Constitution, following the law — not making law — and operating a costefficient judicial system that is respectful of your tax dollars,” she said.
“I have spent my entire career protecting the rights of my clients, and I am qualified and ready to serve as your next judge on Day One,” she said.
Scheidt calls herself a champion of children’s rights, and she said her law practice has a concentration in family law, where she has helped families during some of the most difficult times in their lives.
As a wife and mother, she said she understands that strong families help children feel safe and secure. In her practice, she said she has seen the impact mental and physical abuse has on children, families and the community and will bring that knowledge to the bench.
“Our Berks County judges handle among the highest number of custody cases in Pennsylvania,” she said. “Protecting children from harm and providing them with an opportunity to grow and thrive are efforts about which I am very passionate. As our judge, I will have zero tolerance for criminals who prey on our children because I believe judges must protect the most vulnerable in our society — that means protecting children, seniors and our families from abuse, neglect, and violent crime.”
A longtime Berks resident, Scheidt earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Penn State and received her Juris Doctorate from Villanova University School of Law. She was admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar in 1992.
She has practiced law in Berks since then and is a partner and litigator at Masano Bradley LLP in Reading.
She served as an adjunct instructor at Penn State Berks, where she taught civil procedure, criminal law, legal research and legal writing.
She is an active member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association and the Berks County Bar Association, where she is a past president.
Scheidt lives in Wyomissing with her husband and two sons. She is a member of Atonement Lutheran Church and is active in the community, having served on the board of the Wyomissing Area Education Foundation, and she has been involved in other nonprofit organizations.
Following her love of music, including her time playing the clarinet as a member of the Penn State marching and concert Blue Bands, she served on the Reading Musical Foundation board.
The primary is May 16.