Election 2023: Thomas “Tip” McCabe Is Running For Chesco Judgeship

WEST CHESTER, PA — Thomas “Tip” McCabe, a former assistant public defender, is running for a seat on the Chester County bench in the May primary.

McCabe, 41, of Newlin Township said he is running for judge to serve the Chester County community just as he has served it as an attorney – with dignity, experience, and commitment to our fundamental values of due process and equal protection under the law. He is married and has two daughters.

“It is essential that we have the public defender's perspective on the bench to ensure that everyone is ensured a fair and impartial trial, enshrined by our Democratic and American values of due process, equal protection under the law for all, individual rights, personal freedom, and upholding our Constitution,” McCabe said. “This is what I bring, along with experience in a wide range of practice areas of law, and what makes me uniquely qualified among the candidates.”

There are five judgeships open for election on the Chester County bench in 2024.

Education

McCabe graduated from Fordham University’s honor’s program, cum laude ; and Villanova Law School.

McCabe said that his commitment to utilize his legal education began at Villanova Law School, where he was awarded the Dorothy Day Pro Bono Distinction Award for my pro bono work as a law student.

Career

• He started his career as an assistant public defender in Chester County, ensuring fair and zealous representation in the impoverished.
• McCabe expanded his career to serve other areas of the law, ranging from civil litigation, landlord/tenant matters, guardianships, land use and municipal law, and pro bono custody matters through the Chester County Bar Association's Access to Justice Program.
• He also served as solicitor for the Elk Township Zoning Hearing Board for two years, and on an arbitration panel, deciding civil matters less than $50,000.00.
• In addition, McCabe is also on a list of conflict counsel, representing the poor when there is a conflict with the assistant public defenders.
• He is chairman of the Chester County Bar Association’s criminal defense section and co-chairman of the civil litigation section.

McCabe said he hopes to bring to the bench his unparalleled experience in the courtroom, handling jury and bench trials in matters ranging from minor offenses to homicide, as well as civil trials, juvenile adjudication hearings, and appellate matters before the Pennsylvania Superior Court.

Participation in politics

McCabe also participates in the Democratic party events including serving as a poll watcher for Hillary Clinton's campaign in 2016; part of the "Roving Lawyers" in the 2018 midterm elections; a Democrat Judicial Candidate in 2019; and 2021 and Assistant Solicitor for the Chester County Democratic Committee 2019 – 2022.