Lackawanna County Solicitor announces run for county judge
Attorney Frank J. Ruggiero, a native of Carbondale, announced on December 16 his intention to run for an upcoming vacancy on the Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas in the May Primary Election.
Ruggiero currently serves as Lackawanna County’s solicitor and is a partner at Campolieto & Ruggiero Law Offices. He is also chief legal counsel to the Housing and Redevelopment Insurance Exchange (HARIE).
Frank’s diverse and versatile law career began 25 years ago with him interning with renowned local attorney Irwin Schneider and clerking and serving as a Special Trial Master for now-retired Lackawanna County Judge Chester T. Harhut.
He then served as an Assistant Public Defender in the Lackawanna County Public Defender’s Office. And in 1998, he co-founded Campolieto & Ruggiero, with now longtime law partner Joe Campolieto.
Ruggiero has extensive courtroom experience in family, criminal, municipal and insurance law and has served as a court-appointed family law mediator and master. He has practiced before judges from the state Commonwealth and Superior courts as well as the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania and 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals.
“It’s time for me to give back by drawing from my experience and using the skillset I’ve developed practicing law over the years. As a judge, and with each decision, you make an impact not only on the people presently before you, but also on your community. I’ve been a lawyer for 25 years and I’ve tried hundreds of cases, each covering various areas of the law. I would still be making those decisions based on the law, only now from an impartial perspective rather than advocating for one position or another.”
Born and raised in Carbondale, Frank is a graduate of Sacred Heart Jr./Sr. High School. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Penn State University and an Associate Degree in Human Services from Keystone College. He earned his Juris Doctorate at City University New York Law School, Queens College in Flushing, New York, where he had the opportunity to work in the high-volume, high-octane Brooklyn and Queens district attorney’s offices.
“Growing up my brother, Rich, and I were taught to give back and I have always been service oriented. I think that was a big reason that during the summer before my senior year in high school I decided to enlist in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, 109th Infantry Regiment, and completed my basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia.”
After graduating high school in 1989, Frank completed his MOS (military occupational specialty) training at Fort Benning. While attending college and law school, he continued his training one weekend a month and during summers with his fellow 109th Infantry Bravo Company members.
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Today, Frank gives his time to numerous local civic organizations, including the Carbondale Chapter of UNICO, the Ancient Order of Hibernians Division 2 Carbondale, and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, for which he presently serves as Co-Chair of its northeast Pennsylvania campaign and was selected as its 2021 Man of the Year.
He’s also maintaining his ties to his military service as a member of the 109th Infantry Regiment Association and Gen. Jerome F. O’Malley American Legion Post 221. In addition, Frank has served as a frequent guest contributor on Lackawanna County Senior Judge Tom Munley’s Veterans Views segment airing on WBRE-TV’s evening newscast, which gives voice to local veteran-themed issues.
“Again, it’s about a love of community and giving something back. I feel like I can make a real impact that’s beneficial to our area. I want to ensure Lackawanna County remains a wonderful, safe place to live and raise a family. It’s a natural progression for me. I started with serving in the military. I continue serving my community as a volunteer and an attorney. And now the best way for me to further continue serving is as a judge.”
Frank resides in Greenfield Township with his wife, Megan, and their two sons, Ryan, 5, and Rhys, 2.
This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Carbondale son, Frank Ruggiero Esq, seaks Lackawanna County judge post
