EASTON, Pa. — During a news conference Thursday, Nancy Aaroe stated unequivocally that Brian Panella, her opponent in the May 16 primary election for Northampton County Court, should not run, because he has no trial experience.
- Northampton County judicial candidate Brian Panella pushed back against opponent Nancy Aaroe's claims he lacks trial experience
- Panella and Aaroe are each seeking to win the seat left vacant when Judge Stephen G. Baratta retired at the end of 2022
- The primary election will be held May 16
On Friday, in true courtroom fashion, Panella objected.
“To say I have no trial experience is factually incorrect,” Panella said in a phone call.
“I have numerous trials under my belt, whether from criminal actions, whether you’re talking about Protection From Abuse orders, whether you’re talking about parent termination trials. From family law, to criminal actions, to municipal practice, I’ve handled it all.”
Panella said he believes Aaroe’s focus on what she deems as his lack of criminal trial experience is actually an attack on his age.
“I don't know where she is coming from with this,” Panella said. “I don’t want to speak for her campaign, but it’s clear she’s pointing out my younger age [31], together with my experience.
"I feel very comfortable as a custody master [in Northampton and Lehigh counties] and solicitor. It’s important to me not to engage in negative politics, because it’s not becoming for someone running for the bench.
“I’m not here to lambast Nancy. I’m comfortable running on my resume and experience.”
For the first 12 years of Aaroe's 32-year law career, she was assistant district attorney, assistant public defender and an accomplished counsel attorney.
A practicing attorney for six years, Panella currently serves as solicitor for Bethlehem City Council. He has also represented Northampton, West Easton, North Catasauqua and among other municipalities and agencies, including as special counsel for Bethlehem Township, solicitor for the Lehigh County Agency of Children and Youth, where he worked to protect children from abuse.
“I kind of expect people to come out with their knives. I’m comfortable relying on my resume, my qualifications, and my ability to win.”Atty. Brian Panella
Panella noted his extensive involvement as a community volunteer further qualifies him to serve on the bench.
“To me, part of what is driving me to want to run for judge at what is admittedly a young age is my commitment to community service,” he said.
“I classify that work as community work of legal representation. Those are not just decisions that impact one individual client; a solicitor is in a position to make decisions that impact a community as a whole.
“I’m proud to represent the city council in Bethlehem. Those decisions impact the largest city in Northampton County. I take a lot of pride in that.”
While noting Pennsylvania does not have a minimum practice requirement to run for judge — the sole requirement is membership in the state bar association — Aaroe said more than a third of the states do, including New York and New Jersey, which have a minimum practice requirement of 10 years.
“It’s notable that here in Northampton County, no one has been appointed or elected judge with less than 10 years’ experience,” Aaroe, 58, said at the news conference.
Panella said Aaroe trying to paint him as a legal neophyte did not take him by surprise.
“I kind of expect people to come out with their knives,” he said. “I’m comfortable relying on my resume, my qualifications and my ability to win.”
While Aaroe will follow up the news conference she held on Thursday with a campaign kickoff launch on Feb. 10, Panella is comfortable going into the community to deliver his message.
“Right now, I’m trying to get out and meet as many people as possible,” he said. “That’s the important part of the campaign for me. I’m dragging myself all over Northampton County. And if I leave a wake of goodwill, that’ll be more important than holding a press conference.”
