Lisa Borrelli Dorn – The Best Choice for Magisterial District Judge
Lisa loves animals and puts this love to use as a prosecutor of animal cruelty crimes. She is pictured here with one of her family’s dogs.
Lisa Borrelli Dorn is your neighbor, an experienced Allegheny County Assistant District Attorney and a committed volunteer. You will see her name on the Republican and Democrat ballots in the May primary, because she wants to serve as Magisterial District Judge for Mt. Lebanon and Dormont.
It is important that the District Judge be well-versed in the law and the legal system, as Lisa is. Today more than ever, however, it also is important that Judges treat people as individuals, not cases or stereotypes, apply the law fairly, and make decisions that respect the rights of plaintiffs and defendants while also protecting the safety of the community. Lisa will act in this manner, as she has throughout her career.
Justice with Compassion
“I am a believer of serving justice with compassion,” Lisa says. “I embrace the idea of educational sentencing. Those who do not have a criminal history may deserve the chance to turn their mistakes into educational opportunities that will help them become productive members of the community.” She also supports treatment rather than incarceration where the accused has an addiction or impairment. This is something that has proven successful nationwide and here in Allegheny County. The DUI Court she was responsible for used these best practices methods and had a 92% success rate.
Lisa understands the strengths and challenges of Mt. Lebanon and Dormont. She and her husband, Dr. David Dorn, raised their three children in Mt. Lebanon, where they have lived for more than 20 years, and David’s well-established veterinary practice, West Liberty Animal Hospital, is in Dormont. Lisa promises to do the job full-time and defines her goal as, “Quite simply, to do the right and best thing for my neighbors and for everyone who comes before me.
Respected Lawyer
Lisa has worked as a mediator, arbitrator, facilitator and prosecutor, including many appearances before the Mt. Lebanon/Dormont District Court she hopes to serve. She has a reputation for listening, empathizing and working cooperatively with other attorneys, judges, elected officials and public safety personnel. Lisa is the only candidate with criminal justice litigation experience, which is important, because 89 percent of the cases that come before the District Court are criminal. Of the remaining 11 percent of civil matters, Lisa has experience with everything but weddings. Her learning curve will be short.
Attorney Robert G. Del Greco, Jr. has seen Lisa in action. “She has no political agenda or preconceived bias,” he says. “I am confident that everyone who comes before her court will leave feeling they had a fair and equitable hearing.”
Community Leader
Lisa was a leader in PTA, Dormont-Mt. Lebanon-Castle Shannon Rotary and Mt. Lebanon soccer, softball and crew teams as well as a long serving officer of the Mt. Lebanon Soccer Association. She is the immediate past chair of the Mt. Lebanon Community Relations Board, which protects residents’ civil rights. The board mediates neighborhood disputes, runs the Mt. Lebanon Residents Academy and promotes diversity and inclusion. Former Mt. Lebanon Public Information Officer Susan Fleming Morgans was staff liaison to the board during Lisa’s two-term tenure. “Lisa was caring, creative, responsive and fair,” Morgans says. “I was impressed by the tremendous effort she spent helping to create and then co-chair the successful Residents Academy. The Community Relations Board benefited from her friendliness and sense of humor, traits that would be assets in dealing with court participants who might be fearful or stressed.”
Lisa currently helps investigate and prosecute Allegheny County’s animal cruelty cases. “Many of the cases are horrifying,” she says. “I consider the owners’ mitigating situations, but I am vigilant about protecting these creatures who truly have no voice. The abused and neglected animals remind me that all involved in our justice system deserve a voice. If elected, I will listen respectfully to every participant in every case and work toward a fair outcome.”
Fair and Compassionate Judge
Lisa believes Mt. Lebanon and Dormont are safe and welcoming places for people of all ages, genders, incomes, religions, ethnicities and abilities. “I pledge that as Magisterial District Judge, I will make sure our judicial process, like our communities, is safe and accessible to all.” she says. “My decisions will not favor any individuals or groups over others. Knowing that you will be treated fairly can help ease the tensions of having to be in court.”
Lisa Borrelli Dorn welcomes your questions and comments or your help with her campaign. Please visit her at www.Lisa4Judge.com or contact her at 412-219-2128.
Sponsored content brought to you by the Committee to Elect LBD4MDJ.