Judge Nicole Forzato Runs for Chester County Court of Common Pleas
Every day in the courtroom I diligently strive to apply the applicable law to the facts of each case while being respectful of the litigants in the courtroom. I make reasoned decisions based on the applicable law in a timely manner.
April 27, 2023 at 12:06 PM
3 minute read
JudgesCandidate: Nicole Forzato
Court: Chester County
Party: Democrat
The following has been edited lightly for length and style.
The Legal Intelligencer: Tell us about your background, where you went to law school, what firms you have practiced at, and areas of law you focus on.
Nicole Forzato: The majority of my legal career has been spent in public service positions. Prior to my appointment to the Chester County Court of Common Pleas in July 2022 where I currently serve, I was the first female to be appointed as the Chester County solicitor in August 2020. In that role, I managed the day to day operations of the Solicitor's Office. Additionally, I oversaw all of the civil litigation impacting the county. My team and I provided legal guidance to the county commissioners and their senior administrative team as well as to various county boards and departments. Immediately before being appointed the Chester County solicitor, I served for three years as a criminal prosecutor in the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General where I primarily prosecuted complex financial crimes and public corruption cases. From 2012 through 2017, I served as a senior assistant county solicitor in Montgomery County where I provided legal guidance to 13 county departments and several county boards including the Election Board and Prison Board. I clerked for three different Common Pleas Court judges over the course of my career. I also have experience working in private practice focusing primarily on insurance defense matters. Early in my career, I served as an assistant district attorney in Montgomery County where I was assigned to the major crimes unit. I graduated from Villanova University School of Law in 2001.
The Legal: What is one major thing about your career experience that most qualifies you for this position, and why?
Forzato: I was appointed to the Chester County Court of Common Pleas in July 2022. I am currently assigned to the Orphans Court and Criminal Divisions. I am doing the job for which I am seeking election. Should I be elected, then on day one in January 2024, I would already have 18 months experience in the role and therefore would be ready to continue working on day one.
The Legal: What is the main reason Pennsylvania voters should pick you?
Forzato: Every day in the courtroom I diligently strive to apply the applicable law to the facts of each case while being respectful of the litigants in the courtroom. I make reasoned decisions based on the applicable law in a timely manner.
The Legal: What will be your approach to moving matters efficiently through the case management system?
Forzato: It is important to limit the number of continuances. Additionally, utilizing scheduling conferences and detailed scheduling orders help to keep cases moving. Permitting remote participation in certain circumstances is also effective.
The Legal: What would you say to voters regarding your plans to ensure the equal administration of justice for all people?
Forzato: It is critically important to try to implement the equal administration of justice. Some simple but notable examples include utilizing interpreters and appointing counsel when appropriate. Giving counsel/litigants the opportunity to be heard is critically important. Additionally, attending trainings to learn more about issues impacting the court and community helps.
The Legal: Where can voters go for more information about you?
Forzato: forzatoforjudge.com is my campaign's website. On Facebook, the page is Judge Nicole Forzato for Chester County Court of Common Pleas.
NOT FOR REPRINT
© 2024 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.
You Might Like
View AllDemocrats Give Up Circuit Court Picks for Trial Judges in Reported Deal With GOP
A New State Law Is a Positive Step Forward for Judicial Security in Pennsylvania—But More Action Is Needed
5 minute readCommentary: Sen. Casey's Critical Role in Keeping Pa. Federal Courts Full
As Appointment Window Narrows, Vacancies on Phila. Court May Linger Until After Primaries
Trending Stories
- 1Gibson Dunn Sued By Crypto Client After Lateral Hire Causes Conflict of Interest
- 2Trump's Solicitor General Expected to 'Flip' Prelogar's Positions at Supreme Court
- 3Pharmacy Lawyers See Promise in NY Regulator's Curbs on PBM Industry
- 4Outgoing USPTO Director Kathi Vidal: ‘We All Want the Country to Be in a Better Place’
- 5Supreme Court Will Review Constitutionality Of FCC's Universal Service Fund
Who Got The Work
Michael G. Bongiorno, Andrew Scott Dulberg and Elizabeth E. Driscoll from Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr have stepped in to represent Symbotic Inc., an A.I.-enabled technology platform that focuses on increasing supply chain efficiency, and other defendants in a pending shareholder derivative lawsuit. The case, filed Oct. 2 in Massachusetts District Court by the Brown Law Firm on behalf of Stephen Austen, accuses certain officers and directors of misleading investors in regard to Symbotic's potential for margin growth by failing to disclose that the company was not equipped to timely deploy its systems or manage expenses through project delays. The case, assigned to U.S. District Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton, is 1:24-cv-12522, Austen v. Cohen et al.
Who Got The Work
Edmund Polubinski and Marie Killmond of Davis Polk & Wardwell have entered appearances for data platform software development company MongoDB and other defendants in a pending shareholder derivative lawsuit. The action, filed Oct. 7 in New York Southern District Court by the Brown Law Firm, accuses the company's directors and/or officers of falsely expressing confidence in the company’s restructuring of its sales incentive plan and downplaying the severity of decreases in its upfront commitments. The case is 1:24-cv-07594, Roy v. Ittycheria et al.
Who Got The Work
Amy O. Bruchs and Kurt F. Ellison of Michael Best & Friedrich have entered appearances for Epic Systems Corp. in a pending employment discrimination lawsuit. The suit was filed Sept. 7 in Wisconsin Western District Court by Levine Eisberner LLC and Siri & Glimstad on behalf of a project manager who claims that he was wrongfully terminated after applying for a religious exemption to the defendant's COVID-19 vaccine mandate. The case, assigned to U.S. Magistrate Judge Anita Marie Boor, is 3:24-cv-00630, Secker, Nathan v. Epic Systems Corporation.
Who Got The Work
David X. Sullivan, Thomas J. Finn and Gregory A. Hall from McCarter & English have entered appearances for Sunrun Installation Services in a pending civil rights lawsuit. The complaint was filed Sept. 4 in Connecticut District Court by attorney Robert M. Berke on behalf of former employee George Edward Steins, who was arrested and charged with employing an unregistered home improvement salesperson. The complaint alleges that had Sunrun informed the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection that the plaintiff's employment had ended in 2017 and that he no longer held Sunrun's home improvement contractor license, he would not have been hit with charges, which were dismissed in May 2024. The case, assigned to U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer, is 3:24-cv-01423, Steins v. Sunrun, Inc. et al.
Who Got The Work
Greenberg Traurig shareholder Joshua L. Raskin has entered an appearance for boohoo.com UK Ltd. in a pending patent infringement lawsuit. The suit, filed Sept. 3 in Texas Eastern District Court by Rozier Hardt McDonough on behalf of Alto Dynamics, asserts five patents related to an online shopping platform. The case, assigned to U.S. District Judge Rodney Gilstrap, is 2:24-cv-00719, Alto Dynamics, LLC v. boohoo.com UK Limited.
Featured Firms
Law Offices of Gary Martin Hays & Associates, P.C.
(470) 294-1674
Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone
(857) 444-6468
Smith & Hassler
(713) 739-1250