John Scialabba announces court of common pleas bid
John Scialabba believes his background and skills of representing and helping children in various capacities will make him a good fit on the court of common pleas.
Scialabba announced his candidacy for judge of the Butler County Common Pleas Court on Thursday, Jan. 9. He will be running to replace judge Timothy McCune, who has been a judge on the court of common pleas since 2005 and is not running for retention.
Scialabba is the husband of state Rep. Stephanie Scialabba, R-12th, a Republican from Cranberry Township.
John Scialabba is currently a partner at Frank, Gale, Bails & Pocrass, P.C., where he manages the law firm’s Butler office. According to a news release from his campaign, he has a background in litigation and representing clients in protection from abuse, adoption, estate and orphans’ court matters, as well as aspects of divorce, custody and support matters. He has been appointed by municipal courts in Western Pennsylvania to represent children in various capacities, including in juvenile criminal cases and high conflict custody cases.
Scialabba was born and raised in Butler County, and went on to receive a master’s degree in adolescent education. He worked as a high school teacher in Queens in New York City before going to law school.
“My whole life I have focused on service, that’s my true passion,” Scialabba said. “I have worked abroad in Africa, and South America in various clinics. Prior to law school I was a teacher in New York City, working in Jamaica, Queens, where there were problems, extreme poverty types of cases, and I enjoyed working with those students. I have an opportunity to serve on court of common pleas where I can serve my hometown, a place that made me who I am.”
Scialabba said that he would enjoy working in the family division due to his skill set giving him a unique outlook, but wants to take on the whole role to apply the law and make decisions in the best interest of Butler residents.
Scialabba is on the board of directors for VOICe and the Butler County Humane Society.
“I understood that I think with my skill set and legal experience, along with life experiences, I think I can best serve my county, my family and parents live here, our ties here are multigenerational, I can use my skills to help my county out,” Scialabba said.
The primary election is set for May 20.
