Terri Schultz

Terri Schultz, an assistant district attorney, is running for Butler County Common Pleas Court judge.

A longtime county resident, Schultz said she began her legal career in the county in 1991 after receiving her law degree and master’s degree in English from Duquesne University. She practiced family law and juvenile law and took pro bono cases through Neighborhood Legal Services.

She said she was hired as the county’s first full-time public defender in 1994. In the 22 years she worked as a public defender, she said she represented hundreds of indigent members of the community until 2016 when she was hired as an assistant district attorney.

While she worked in the public defender’s office, she said she assisted in creating the Behavioral Health Court, a diversionary court for people who are facing charges but are struggling with mental health issues and are in need of focused supervision to provide them with the chance of success in the community. She said she returned to the Behavioral Health Court team after she joined the district attorney’s office.

“In my more than 30 years of legal practice, I have tried over 300 cases and spend nearly every day in the courtroom,” Schultz said. “Having spent time on both sides of the table, in several areas of law, I feel that I have gained a balance to recognize all facets of the judicial system and wisdom to make fair, impartial and just decisions that can only be gained through experience.”

Schultz said she also has served as a volunteer for Butler Little Theatre for more than 20 years in the full gambit of positions, ranging from crew to actress. She said she also enjoys spending time with her children, grandchildren and two rescue dogs.

Schultz is running to replace Judge William Shaffer, who retired in January 2022 and now serves as a senior judge.

Maura Palumbi, an attorney in the public defender’s office, also is running to fill the vacancy.