County judge sworn in
Damon Faldowski smiles as he is sworn into office Tuesday by President Judge Katherine B. Emery. Gov. Tom Wolf appointed Faldowski to fill a vacancy on Washington County Court of Common Pleas.
Judge Michael J. Lucas welcomes Judge Damon Faldowski as Faldowski joins the other judges at the end of the swearing-in ceremony at Washington County Courthouse Tuesday.
Judge Damon Faldowski speaks after being sworn in Tuesday as a Washington County Common Pleas judge. Faldowski thanked God and his family for supporting him throughout his life.
Washington County Common Pleas Court is back up to its full complement of six judges for the first time since the start of last year.
Damon Faldowski, 65, of Washington, was sworn in during a ceremony Tuesday before a standing-room-only courtroom.
The appointment is a departure for Faldowski after nearly 40 years as a civil litigation attorney.
“I am no longer an advocate for somebody,” Faldowski told an audience that included his family, local officials and much of the area bar. “Now, I’m asked to sit and listen and pass judgment.”
The seat Faldowski now occupies had been vacant since former President Judge Debbie O’Dell Seneca retired early last year, months after the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts announced she was being relieved of her administrative duties.
Her tenure would have ended in 2021.
O’Dell Seneca’s Jan. 5, 2015, retirement left the county two days shy of the 10-month vacancy needed to put the seat up for election that year.
Current President Judge Katherine B. Emery said Faldowski will start hearing cases Monday.
“He’s going to do civil,” she said. “That’s his primary docket.”
Emery said property assessment cases currently pending in county courts will be assigned to the new judge. His other responsibilities include cases related to termination of parental rights and being a “backup” judge in protection-from-abuse cases.
In private practice, Faldowski specialized in cases involving workers compensation, products liability and personal injury law. He withdrew from Phillips & Faldowski – the firm he founded with his brother-in-law W. Dennis Phillips in 1978 – to take the seat on the bench.
The Senate unanimously confirmed Faldowski’s appointment along with a number of other judicial nominees June 29.
Dianne McClelland Faldowski, who owns a legal recruiting firm, said she knew her husband was serious when he said he was seeking the appointment.
“He doesn’t bring things up lightly,” she said. “I was, of course, thrilled because he’s the highest caliber of lawyer.”
Faldowski declined to say whether he’ll run for the seat when it comes up for election next year. He said he wants “to do what’s best for the citizens of Washington County.”
“I meant what I said,” Faldowski said. “I’m here to serve, and I’m here to do what’s right.”
Faldowski will be assigned the courtroom recently occupied by senior judges John C. Reed and William Nalitz and previously by former Judge Janet Moschetta Bell.
Emery said Reed and Nalitz, retired judges from other counties who’ve been helping to fill the vacancy on the bench, will continue to hear cases.
County court administrator Patrick Grimm said part of the law library in the courthouse basement will be converted into a temporary courtroom and office for a staffer working for the senior judges.