The field of candidates seeking to fill the district judgeship created by the retirement of Judge Daniel Maisano has now grown to three. East Marlborough resident and attorney Jane Donze has officially announced her candidacy.
She joins Lorraine Ramunno, of Pennsbury, and Sean Rafferty, of Pocopson, in a bid for District Court 15-3-04 that serves Birmingham, Pennsbury, Pocopson, Newlin, Kennett and East Marlborough townships and Kennett Square.
Donze cites her 25-plus years of experience as a practicing attorney — as both a prosecutor and defender — as qualifying her for the position. She has also been a civil litigator and an appointed arbiter.
She said she is especially proud of her work prosecuting “deadbeat” dads and moms for non-payment of child support and her work with juveniles who were dealing with the criminal justice system for the first time.
“As an attorney, wife, mother, business owner and longtime resident of our community, I bring a unique set of qualifications to the position of magisterial district judge, “Donze said. “My passion for and interest in the administration of justice began at an early age. My favorite aunt and life-long mentor was a judge. She inspired me to join the legal profession and instilled in me an abiding respect for the awesome responsibility that comes with being a judge.”
As did Ramunno, Donze said she would be a fulltime judge, and not continue her own law practice if elected.
Donze said she wants to be judge as a way of giving back to the community: “I felt it was time to give back to the community in a different way. Being a judge affords me such an opportunity by assuring that the constitutional rights of the citizens are protected, by making sure our police departments can successfully do their job of protecting us all and by assuring that our citizens have access to and a forum to air their grievances. In short by administering justice in a fair, impartial manner.”
She has been a resident of the area for 23 years. She has owned a law firm in the Willowdale Town Center in East Marlborough for the past 19 years and currently serves on the East Marlborough Township Planning Commission. Donze has served in volunteer organizations including La Communidad Hispaña and the United Way of southern Chester County. She and her family formerly resided in Pennsbury Township where she served as a board member of the Pennsbury Town Watch.
She said she’s been endorsed by former U.S. Rep. Joe Pitts and former state Rep. Chris Ross.
