About

Carmella was born and raised in the North Philadelphia/Olney area above the bar owned and
operated by her parents. She lived in a modest home above her family bar watching her parents
work hard to help people in the community, which made her uniquely aware at a young age of
the challenges faced by many in her neighborhood. For 60 years, the bar has been in the family
and continues to be a cornerstone in the community, where neighbors meet to celebrate their
highest moments and commiserate during their lowest. Carmella’s mother and father taught her
and her brothers to always treat their customers like family, to work hard, and to always help
other people in the community. Four years ago, when Carmella’s mother passed away, her
brother quit a profession in engineering to take over the family bar and continue the tradition and
family legacy their parents set in helping the community.

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Carmella also stayed true to the values her parents instilled in her and has dedicated her entire
career to public service. She has been working in the Criminal Justice system for over 22 years,
the last 18 as a practicing trial attorney. Carmella began her career as a volunteer summer intern
in the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office while attending college. Upon graduating from
college, she worked full time as a law clerk in the Prison Litigation, Intermediate Punishment,
and Special Narcotic units, while attending Widener University Delaware Law School in the
evening. Carmella officially joined the office as an Assistant District Attorney in 2001 after
graduating from law school and spent the next nine years advocating for victims of crime and the
safety of the community prosecuting crimes in the Municipal, Juvenile, Felony Waiver, and
Major Trial units.

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In 2012, Carmella started her own private law practice in Philadelphia focusing on criminal
defense and domestic relations matters including child support, custody, protection from abuse,
and divorce. As a court-appointed attorney in Philadelphia Family Court, she litigates juvenile
delinquency, juvenile dependency, and adoption proceedings. Acting as a child advocate for
children and representing parents, Carmella assists families with the reunification process. As a
court-appointed attorney in both Philadelphia Municipal and Court of Common Pleas, Carmella
provides the poorest and oftentimes the most vulnerable in our community with equal access to
justice. Carmella passionately advocates for children, their families, and the accused to improve
the quality of their lives in the community.

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Carmella cares about people and also performs volunteer work in her community. She provides
pro bono services (free legal work) to indigent people who cannot afford representation at the
most critical time in their lives. As a member of Dare to Imagine Church, Carmella volunteers in
the Youth Ministry to teach bible study to pre-school and elementary children. She volunteers
with Chosen 300 Ministries and her church, to serve meals and to provide a worship experience
to the homeless. Even on Christmas day, she usually serves meals to the homeless and wraps
and gives toys to children in need. Carmella volunteers and participates in MLK Day of Service
painting murals at a local Philadelphia high school and preparing food packets with RISE and
INDIVISIBLE to feed thousands of people in the fight against hunger. She also tirelessly
participates in the Labor Day parade to support labor unions and working families.

Most of all, Carmella is running for judge because she believes it’s imperative that every person
has equal access to justice. Carmella is running for judge because every day she fights in the
courtroom to give a voice to citizens of Philadelphia, their children, and families. Not only does
she have the right experience, but she also has a diverse background and a collection of life
experiences that serve to create a better understanding of issues which might come before the
court. Her background serves to enhance fair and impartial decision making. As a judge,
Carmella will work to ensure that every voice is heard and and that every person has equal access to
justice.