Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
3 hopefuls square off for MDJ bench
WEST CHESTER >> A former veteran district judge is facing off against two lawyers for a seat on the bench in District Court 15-1-01.
The district court is one of the busiest in the county and covers western West Chester and East and West Bradford townships. Mark Bruno, Daniel Hollander and Marc Lieberman seek the nod from voters.
Bruno was a judge for more than 19 years. Bret Binder took over the bench in District Court 15-101 about four years ago, and was then elected to Court of Common Pleas partway through the term,
leaving the judge’s position vacant.
Bruno, 57, said he is “fair judge” who has handled over 300,000 cases as a judge.
“It has provided me with more than enough knowledge, behind-the-bench experience and education to serve our community,” he said.
Bruno also said he presided over all types of cases including, parking tickets matters, nuisance violations, drug cases and homicide cases.
Bruno will continue to add alternative sentencing programs for drug and alcohol treatment, mental health issues and use of community service programs.
Renters and landlords are feeling the squeeze during the ongoing pandemic.
“I will make landlords and tenants aware of emergency rental assistance programs that are available so they can both be satisfied and work to keep tenants in their homes,” he said.
Bruno is married with three children who attended West Chester Area School District schools and is a Bishop Shanahan High School graduate.
He enjoys volunteering, coaching, fishing and bocce.
Hollander is a lawyer who said legal experience is the most important criteria in electing a judge.
“Having a firm grasp of the rules of procedure and evidence is critical because so many people appear in district court without the benefit of counsel,” he said.
As assistant district attorney and Senior Trial Attorney for Chester County, Hollander has tried thousands of cases, with successful convictions for homicides, assault, child abuse, illegal firearms, theft and terroristic threats.
The candidate will work to identify high-risk individuals suffering from drug and alcohol addiction or mental illness in a timely manner.
“If elected, I will prioritize addiction and mental health awareness and treatment, diversionary fines and community service for young nonviolent offenders, and community outreach,” he said.
Hollander also noted that District Court 15-1-01 has a high percentage of defendants between the ages of 18 and 23.
“It would be my goal to increase the use of monetary fines and community service in an effort to keep nonviolent first-time offenders from receiving criminal convictions,” he said. “A thoughtless mistake at the age of 18 should not negatively impact a person when they are 35 and trying to obtain employment.”
Hollander, 34, is married with three children. He attended George Washington University where he earned a degree in Criminal Justice and is a graduate of Catholic University Columbus School of Law.
He said that spending time with his 2½-year-old and 7-month-old children is his “entire life” and a fulltime job.
Lieberman, 54, is an attorney with his own private firm. He practices criminal defense, civil litigation, and landlord/tenant issues.
“I’ve practiced all areas of law appearing before the district courts,” Lieberman said. “I’ve been explaining the law to people every day for the past 23 years.”
He said the main concern of his practice is clients of addiction.
“I helped a lot of clients through addiction and helped them get the help they need,” Lieberman said. “I see what works in getting people clean and I see what doesn’t.
“A judge really has to see when setting bail whether somebody has addiction issues.”
He also said that he would educate other district judges on how to recognize addiction issues.
It’s important to volunteer.
“Judges are public servants and should always be giving back to the community,” Lieberman said.
Lieberman is married, with two children. He earned a Psychology degree and Peace and Conflicts minor from West Chester University and graduated from Widener Law School.
He enjoys sailing, skiing, gardening and biking.
May 18 is primary election day. Bruno and Lieberman cross-filed and are listed on ballots as Republicans and Democrats. Hollander chose to run only as a Democrat.
“I’ve been explaining the law to people every day for the past 23 years.” — Marc Lieberman, district judge candidate