Jane Donze
Kennett/Unionville area attorney Jane Donze declared her candidacy for Magisterial District Judge for court # 15-3-04 – the seat vacated by Hon. Daniel Maisano who retired last year. The court serves Birmingham, Pennsbury, Pocopson, Newlin, Kennett and East Marlborough Townships and Kennett Square Borough.
The Magisterial District Court holds preliminary hearings in all felony and misdemeanor cases brought by law enforcement; adjudicates summary criminal cases and traffic citations; hears and decides civil cases with a value up to $12,000; and hears emergency protection from abuse cases when the county court is not in session.
Donze cites her 25+ years’ experience as a practicing attorney as both a prosecutor and defender in the criminal justice system as well as her extensive experience as a civil litigator on behalf of both plaintiffs and defendants and in family law cases as qualifying her for this position. She said she is especially proud of her work prosecuting “deadbeat” dads and moms for non- payment of child support (which resulted in the return of substantial sums of money to the PA Department of Public Assistance) and her work with juveniles who were dealing with the criminal justice system for the first time.
She has been a resident of the area for 23 years and her 2 sons, Conor and Owen, are graduates of Unionville High School. She has owned a law firm in the Willowdale Town Center in East Marlborough for the past 19 years, and for the last 17 years, with her husband and law partner, George Donze, Esq., trading as Donze and Donze. She currently serves on the East Marlborough Township Planning Commission and has served in numerous volunteer organizations including La Communidad Hispana and the United Way of southern Chester County.
In commenting on her candidacy, Donze stated, “As an attorney, wife, mother, business owner and longtime resident of our community, I bring a unique set of qualifications to the position of Magisterial District Judge. My passion for and interest in the administration of justice began at an early age. My favorite aunt and life-long mentor was a judge. She inspired me to join the legal profession and instilled in me an abiding respect for the awesome responsibility that comes with being a judge. I am immensely proud of and care deeply about our community and its people. I believe my 25+ years of experience as a criminal and civil trial attorney would be an asset in this position. If elected, I will serve full time as judge and no longer practice as an attorney. It would be an honor to serve the people of our district as Judge.”
Jane and her family reside in East Marlborough Township.
