Chambersburg attorney seeks to unseat two-term MDJ
A local attorney will challenge T.R. Williams for the magisterial district judgeship in the northwest portion of Franklin County.
Kristin Diller Nicklas will run to serve in MDJ district 39-3-04, which includes Greene and Southampton townships, Orrstown and the west end of Shippensburg. A Republican, she will cross-file and run on both tickets in the May 21 primary election.
An MDJ is usually the first judicial authority a person charged with a crime encounters. MDJs set bail and conduct preliminary hearings, and determine if a case is moved up to the county's Court of Common Pleas. They continue to handle some minor criminal cases, as well as all traffic citations and some civil cases.
MDJs serve six-year terms.
Nicklas said she has represented clients on all areas of family and real estate law at her firm, Nicklas Law Offices, Chambersburg. She previously worked for local firm Breschi & Associates, and began her law career as a law clerk for Franklin County President Judge Douglas W. Herman, who retired in 2015.
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While maintaining her law practice, Nicklas is the county's current support master, which is a quasi-judicial role where she hears evidence and decides domestic relations cases. Nicklas has extensive courtroom experience and has litigated hundreds of civil and criminal cases.
“I became an attorney because I wanted to help people. I am passionate about the law and devoted to my community. As a district judge I will be able to utilize my legal knowledge and serve my community on a daily basis. I believe my well-rounded legal experience, strong work ethic and dedication to my community make me the best candidate for this position.”
In 2016, Nicklas successfully appealed a case to the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania which she said changed the landscape of children’s right to counsel in Pennsylvania. Honored with the 2014 Pennsylvania Bar Association Pro Bono Award, Nicklas was recognized for her outstanding service to the financially disadvantaged members of her community.
Nicklas has been licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania since 2010. She received her law degree from Widener University, and obtained a bachelor's degree in accounting from Penn State University.
A native of Fayetteville, Nicklas is the daughter of Dale and Sherian Diller (a former superintendent of Waynesboro Area School District) of Chambersburg. She graduated from Chambersburg Area Senior High School in 2001 and spent all of her school years in the school district.
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Nicklas lives in Greene Township with her husband, John, and their four children, Ellie, Bishop, Barron and Beau. Their family attends King Street Church and are active in the community. She is a council member for the Franklin County Therapeutic Riding Center, treasurer of the Franklin County Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association and a member of the Exchange Club of Chambersburg.
“I look forward to demonstrating my work ethic during the campaign and would be honored to serve our local residents as their MDJ.”
Williams, who Nicklas hopes to unseat, has served as MDJ for 12 years. He is seeking his third term.
To learn more about the candidate, visit www.NicklasForJudge.com.