Committee to Elect Antonia Grifo District Judge

ce, right from the start” to serve this District, as District Judge. I am a lifelong resident of Easton and I currently live in Downtown Easton, right around the corner at 64 N. 4th Street with my husband and our two college age sons. I am fifty-six (56) years of age and I am the eldest daughter of the late Judge Richard D. Grifo and the eighty-seven (87) year old dynamo and community leader, Lee T. My parents were also lifelong residents of Easton, born and reared in the West Ward by Italian immigrants. I come from a solid Republican background, but I am a long-time registered Democrat. As is appropriate, judicial races and my appeal are bipartisan. I will cross-file and appear on both the Republican and Democratic tickets in the primary. I have been an attorney for thirty (30) years and since 1986 I have practiced law right here at 318 Spring Garden Street with my husband, Attorney Ronald W. Shipman in an office we now share with our son, Attorney Christopher Shipman. I began my legal career as a clerk for the late Judge Isaac S. Garb and then served as a full-time Assistant District Attorney in Northampton County, assigned to the “Easton Team”. I cannot say that before a few short weeks ago, I had aspired to serving as a District Justice, because I assumed, as we all did, that we would be served for many years to come by my friend, the late Gay Elwell. It would be an honor to succeed to Judge Elwell’s legacy as District Justice and with my solid footing in this community, I think I can fill her shoes. My thirty (30) year legal career, though not a requirement of the job, will serve me well should I have the opportunity to serve you. The many organizations I have served together with the District events and initiatives I have supported over the past thirty (30) years have put me in contact with many of the residents and businesses of this District. My legal career and my community service, the wide range of clients I have represented over the years, and the many people I have come into contact with provide me first hand knowledge of the legal concepts I will be required to apply, and a unique insight into the types of situations I will be required to consider and rule upon. My involvement with the District’s diverse neighborhoods dates back to the early Eighties, when, to live and work downtown, to serve with a group like P.R.I.D.E., Proud Renaissance in Downtown Easton, you had to be a bit of a trailblazer, with a lot of faith that Downtown Easton was going to go “in the right direction”. Now, the Downtown is a bustling, happening place to live and work, a place where residents of all our great Easton neighborhoods gather. In the West Ward, many good and dedicated citizens are working hard to ensure that the West Ward reaps the benefits of Easton’s revitalization. The neighborhood of College Hill is becoming ever more connected through the improvements by Lafayette College on the campus and Downtown. I am now at a place and time in my career where serving in the justice system not as a practicing lawyer, but as a public servant, has become important to me. This is not a step on the way to another career for me, but a logical continuation of both my legal career and my community service. I deeply respect our system of justice, of which the Minor Judiciary is an important part. It is often the first, and it is often the only contact a wide range of citizens has with our system of justice. In addition to my training, my life’s experiences and my maturity, I will bring my excellent reputation, my unquestionable integrity and dignity to this office. Let us not forget that District 03-2-05 is one of the busiest in the County. I am organized, efficient with my time and hard working. District 03-2-05 employs an office staff of five persons to handle the administrative functions of the office. I have the skills to manage and to lead that staff. I intend to devote my full time and attention to the job of District Justice. I currently do not have an office staff as a private attorney. The people of this District can rely on the fact that I will hit the ground running in January of 2014, with “the right experience, right from the start”, ready, willing and honored to serve this District, as District Justice.