Election 2023: Chester County Judge Nicole Forzato Runs For Full Term

WEST CHESTER, PA — Chester County Judge Nicole Forzato, who has experience in criminal, civil and family court, announced Tuesday that she is running in the May primary for a 10-year term as judge.

Forzato, 46, was appointed to a judgeship in July to fill a vacancy when Judge Jacqueline Cody became a senior judge.

Gov. Tom Wolf nominated Forzato for the judgeship in June and she was confirmed by the state Senate. She presides over criminal, civil and probate matters.

“It has been the honor of my life to serve Chester County as a common pleas court judge, and I pledge that I will continue to apply the law with integrity and compassion if I am fortunate enough to earn the confidence of the people of Chester County for a full 10-year term,” said Forzato, who resides in Paoli, with her husband, Steve.

So far, there are nine candidates who announced they are running for a 10-year term on the 15-judge bench. Judges earn an annual salary of $197,119.

Prior to the appointment to the bench, Forzato was appointed County Commissioners Marian Moskowitz, Josh Maxwell, and Michelle Kichline to serve as solicitor. She was the first woman in the county to hold the position.

As county solicitor, Forzato and her team provided legal guidance and oversight to the county commissioners and their senior staff on the wide array of legal issues impacting the county, including the operation of the 2020 and 2021 elections.

She also managed the daily operations of the solicitor’s office which included overseeing civil cases being litigated on behalf of Chester County in state and federal courts and before administrative agencies.

After graduating Villanova Law School, Forzato has amassed a broad scope of legal experience during her 20-plus years in both private practice and public service. She has argued and tried cases in both state and federal courts.

Forzato's experience in public service includes clerking for multiple county judges, serving as an assistant district attorney and a senior assistant county solicitor in Montgomery County.

Forzato also has served as a senior deputy attorney assigned to the criminal prosecution section of the Pennsylvania Attorney General, where she focused on complex white-collar crimes, election code violations and public corruption.