2009 City Candidate Questionnaire Judicial Candidates

Transcription

1 2009 City Candidate Questionnaire Judicial Candidates Prepared by: Sharon Williams Losier Campaign Manager: Picard Losier/ Julie O Connell Phone/ / SWLosier@aol.com Phone/ (Picard)/ (Julie) Committee Name: Committee to Elect Sharon Williams Losier for Judge Campaign Address: 1518 Walnut Street, Suite 807, Fax: swlosier@aol.com Website: CANDIDATE CERTIFICATION Candidate Name: Sharon Williams Losier Office Sought_Judge of the Court of Common Pleas I have read the attached questionnaire responses and certify that the information provided is accurate. Candidate Signature: Date: Please complete and sign this form via mail, or fax to: Neighborhood Networks c/o John Hogan and Kathy Quinn, Co-Chairs, Elections Committee 7511 Germantown Avenue kathymquinn@verizon.net Fax: , Attn: Gloria Gilman When we receive the completed form, we will contact you to arrange a candidate interview. QUESTIONNAIRE 1. What in your background and experience qualifies you for the office you are seeking? (Feel free to attach a prepared resume or biography.) I attach a copy of my resume and biography 2. Why are you seeking this office? I am a life long resident of Philadelphia and a practicing attorney for over half of it. I have worked as a law clerk to a judge, a trial attorney, a legislative aide and have been an arbitrator for the Court of Common Pleas since From these vantages I am aware of the tremendous responsibility of the court and the impact that judges have on the lives of the citizens of Philadelphia and the quality of life in our city. I am aware of the importance of a knowledgeable, experienced, fair and impartial judiciary.

2 For most of my life I have been very much involved in community service and through these activities I have developed a great passion for the people of Philadelphia. I believe that a good judge is always mindful of their impact in the administration of justice, in a fair and orderly manner while maintaining their passion for the people while doing so. Further, I am passionate about civil rights and very much the reason that I became a lawyer and influences why I want to be a judge. I grew up hearing about the experiences and triumphs of civil rights attorneys. I learned that civil rights and the quest for justice is a full time job and that lawyers and judges have tremendous responsibility. I am very committed to and active in many civil rights organizations and will bring these experiences and values to the bench. 3.Why should Neighborhood Networks support you? (Information about Neighborhood Networks, including its draft platform, is available on its website at under the Learn About NN link.) I am seeking the support of Neighborhood Networks because it is an organization which I sincerely respect and admire because of its progressive and grassroots agenda. I know that your members are dedicated to making Philadelphia a better place to live for all of us just as I am so dedicated. I have known about your organization for many years and only haven t joined myself because I am so involved in many other similar organizations. I know that your organization knows how important it is to have judges that are very connected to the community. Without a demonstrated connection to community, without a caring commitment to your fellow citizens it is impossible to be a good judge and to effectively administer justice. I am a progressive community activist like your members and will reflect our experiences and values on the bench.

3 Sharon Williams Losier- Biography-2009 Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Sharon Williams Losier graduated with honors from the Philadelphia High School for Girls. She then graduated cum laude from Hampton Institute in Hampton, Virginia and received her Juris Doctor Degree in 1985 from Temple University Law Center. After law school she was a judicial law clerk for Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas. Afterwards she began the practice of workers compensation and has been doing so since. Currently, she works with her husband, Picard Losier, Esquire who owns and operates the city s only African American law firm which solely represents the injured worker in workers compensation matters. In 2006 Sharon was offered a position as a legislative aide and counsel in Councilwoman Marian B. Tasco s office. Unable to resist the exciting lore of this position, she changed the focus of her professional career. As a part of her duties in the 9 th City Council District, Sharon has taken on many issues related to quality of life for neighborhoods and citizens. Many of the issues that she researched and developed legislation were regarding this area. She serves on the City Council Nuisance Task Forces in the 9 th district as well as developing a city wide task force to deal with applications for take out malt and brewed beverage permits. She also assists in liquor license community protests. She developed legislation to make it easier for community groups to protest nuisance stop and goes in their communities. Aside from workers compensation, personal injury, and most recently legislation and liquor Sharon is quite accomplished in Pennsylvania election law. She has represented numerous campaigns, elected officials and the local Democratic Party. She was the Philadelphia County Counsel for the Kerry/Edwards Campaign and was a Pennsylvania Legal coordinator for the Eastern part of the state for the DNC in 2006.She is currently a Co-Chair of the Pennsylvania Democratic Lawyers Council of the DNC. Recently she was a Pennsylvania Co-Chair of Election Protection as well a Philadelphia County Counsel for the Obama/Biden Campaign. Additionally, she presents educational seminars to various community groups and organizations on election law and its impact on the voter. She is also a frequent contributor of articles on election law to the League of Women Voters newsletter. Sharon is also quite active in community service. She is a member of the following organizations: Philadelphia Branch of the NAACP, Delta Sigma Theta, Philadelphia Alumnae Chapter, The Delaware Valley Chapter of the Links, Inc., The Coalition of 100 Black Women, 200 African American Women, The Philadelphia Chapter of the Smart Set, The Philadelphia Chapter of Jack and Jill, Inc., The Carrousels, Philadelphia Chapter, National Organization of Women, Philadelphia Chapter, The League of Women Voters and the Parents Association of the PDR Swim Team.

4 Sharon serves on the Board of Directors of the Philadelphia Branch of the NAACP, her neighborhood community group, Oak Lane Community Action Association, Cobbs Creek Community Educational Environmental Center, Philadelphia Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union and the League of Women Voters. She was recently elected to the Board of Director s of Bebashi, Transition to Hope. She also currently serves as the President of Oak Lane Community Action Association and the Interim President of the Board of Directors at Cobbs Creek Community Environmental Education Center. She is also a member of the 35 th District Police Advisory Council. Sharon and her husband are also very active in the Haitian community. They own and operate Radio Haiti, the Philadelphia and vicinity Haitian radio station and are community and political organizers in the local Haitian community. Sharon s professional affiliations have been Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association, Philadelphia Bar Association, Workers Compensation Section and Human Rights Section, Pennsylvania Bar Association, National Bar Association, Barristers Association, and National Bar Association-Women s Division. Sharon resides in the East Oak Lane section of Philadelphia with her husband, Picard and sons, David, 14 and Christophe, 13. She has two stepchildren, Toussaint, 26 and Juanita, 22 and a daughter in law, Alana, 26.

5 SHARON WILLIAMS LOSIER 1518 Walnut Street, Suite PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: Office of Councilwoman Marian B. Tasco 2006 to Present * Legislative Aide and Counsel Researching and drafting legislation and resolutions. Rendering legal analysis and opinions regarding pending legislation and any other issue that may arise in the Councilwoman's office. Law Offices of Losier and Associates 1993 to Present * Associate Litigation attorney in association with my husband of a small firm, primarily representing injured workers in workers compensation cases and other personal injury matters at the arbitration and trial level. * Election Law Attorney Represented numerous campaigns, elected officials and the local Democratic Party in litigation matters. Most recently was a lead lawyer in the Obama/Bidden Campaign and Philadelphia County Counsel. Presents educational seminars to various community groups and organizations on the recent changes in election law and its impact on the voter. Pennsylvania Manufacturers Association 1991 to 1993 * In-House Counsel Litigation attorney fully responsible for the preparation, management, and litigation of 200+ workers compensation files. Also litigated personal injury cases at the arbitration and trial level.

6 Sharon Williams Losier Page Two German, Gallagher and Murtagh, PC 1989 to 1991 * Associate Litigation attorney fully responsible for the preparation, management and litigation of workers compensation cases. Participated in seminars and present lectures to clients. State Workmen Insurance Fund (SWIF) 1988 to 1989 * Assistant Chief Counsel Duties similar to those described above, but with less client contact and seminar/lecture activity. Honorable Frederica Massiah- Jackson, Presiding Judge 1985 to 1987 Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas * Judicial Clerk Researched and wrote legal opinions in the area of criminal law. BOARD AFFILIATIONS: Philadelphia Branch of the NAACP Philadelphia Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union Oak Lane Community Action Association, President BEBASHI, Transition to Hope League of Women Voters, Philadelphia Chapter Cobbs Creek Community Educational Environmental Center,President 35 th Police District Advisory Council Philadelphia Tax Review Board until 2006 EDUCATION: * Temple University Law Center, Philadelphia,PA May 1985 Juris Doctor * Hampton Institute, Hampton, VA May 1982 Bachelor of Arts in Economics (Cum Laude)