Benyak announces candidacy for judge
Alan Benyak, who served in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps as an Army lawyer, is seeking nomination to the Court of Common Pleas in Washington County.
Benyak, 49, of Carroll Township, is concerned none of the county’s judges or prosecutors has a military background at a time when more and more cases involve veterans struggling to return to civilian life. He is seeking one of two open seats on the Court of Common Pleas.
“A decade of war has left an immeasurable effect on our service men and women, especially those who have been deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan. We are fortunate in Washington County that the justice system has recognized that fact and created a special Veterans Court. I applaud that decision. Now it is time to have a judge on the bench who understands the circumstances and hardships facing returning veterans and their families,” he said.
In addition to his four years of active duty, Benyak served an additional eight years in the U.S. Army Reserves before leaving the military as an Army major in 1993 to start a private practice in Washington County. During the course of his military career, he also was appointed to serve as a special assistant U.S. attorney.
In his practice, Benyak focuses on estate planning and administration, family law, municipal law, general civil litigation and real estate.
He serves as legal counsel to the Mon Valley Police Association, Municipal Authority of Belle Vernon, several municipalities and is a board member and officer of Donora Public Library.
He earned his bachelor’s degree at Waynesburg University in 1985 and a law degree from Capital University in 1988 before graduating from the Judge Advocate General’s School in Charlottesville, Va.
He has been active on the boards of Community Action Southwest Head Start, Community Ambulance Service, Washington Township Area Senior Citizens, Redstone Cemetery and the United Way.
He is a member of American Legion Post 22 in Charleroi and both the Washington and Pennsylvania bar associations. He is a Mason and a member of the Sons of Italy.
“I was honored to serve my country and my fellow military personnel as a lawyer, and now I would like to bring time that experience to the civilian courts,” said Benyak, who was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Superior Unit Award and National Defense Service Medal (both from Desert Storm), Army Achievement Medal and Army Service Ribbon.