Laywer representing woman suing Judge Doerr announces intent to run for judge
A lawyer representing the woman suing President Judge Thomas Doerr announced her intention to run for judge in the court next year, calling the current court system a monarchy plagued by nepotism under Doerr.
Jennifer Gilliland Vanasdale, a founding member of a law firm based in Butler and a lawyer representing Crystal Starnes, said she plans to pursue both the Democratic and Republican nomination in next year’s primary.
“I believe that I’m the most qualified,” she said. “I’ve learned the skills to be efficient and effective. I really enjoy working hard for the people.”
If elected, she would replace Judge Marilyn Horan, who recently left Butler’s court system for a federal appointment to the U.S. District Court in Pittsburgh. Gilliland Vanasdale founded the firm Gilliland Vanasdale Sinatra Law Office 17 years ago. Before that, Gilliland Vanasdale worked with Nationwide Insurance in downtown Butler, where she started in 1993 after graduating from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. There, she began working in Nationwide’s insurance claims department and made her way up to claims that inolved lawsuits. She continued working full time with Nationwide while attending Duquesne University School of Law in Pittsburgh, where she would commute between school and work at least 4 times a week.
This is an excerpt — read more in Sunday's Butler Eagle.
