Attorney announces candidacy for judge in Schuylkill County

Mar. 3—James G. Conville, Port Carbon, has announced his candidacy for Schuylkill County Court of Common Pleas Judge.

"Most of my professional life has been spent inside of the courtroom," said Conville, a partner in the law firm of Zane, Rossi, Conville and Harley, Schuylkill Haven and Pine Grove.

"I believe I have the record, insight and experience to be an impartial judge for all the people," he added.

He is seeking nomination in the May 18 primary election, respectively asking for both Democrats and Republicans for their vote, to serve on the Schuylkill County bench.

Also running for both nominations are Christina E. Hale, former district magistrate appointed to fill the vacancy created by Judge John E. Domalakes' retirement, and attorney Julie Werdt.

"My lengthy experience in the courtroom has given me a unique insight into the criminal victims desire for justice, as well as the accused's entitlement to fairness," Conville said of his more than 26 years of practicing law.

Conville has dedicated a large part of his legal practice to serve the children of Schuylkill county. As court appointed guardian ad litem, Conville has represented and acted in the interests of children who have fallen victim to abuse, neglect and dependency, to help them overcome difficult circumstances.

"This work has really underscored the need to promote family values and also protect our most valuable of resources, the children of Schuylkill County, and has truly been some of the most rewarding of my professional work" said Conville, 55.

He attributes his appreciation for hard work and getting the job done right to his coal mining father and textile mill working mother. Before becoming an attorney, Conville was a dock worker and member of the Teamsters.

"I'm not a politician nor a part of any political machine," he said. "I'm just the product of a hardworking middle-class family that needed to work full-time while attending law school in the evenings and on Saturday mornings to pay my way through school myself."

He also serves volunteer fire companies, local governments and municipal authorities as their solicitor.

Conville is a 1987 graduate of Penn State University, 1994 graduate of Widener University School of Law, Harrisburg, and a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association and the Schuylkill County Bar Association.

He and his wife, Lisa, have been married for 14 years. He has two stepsons and four grandchildren.