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.
My name is Lisa Malnati and I have known Sean Rafferty for over 30 years. I find it very interesting that people would attempt to smear his good name, while remaining annonomous and claiming not to know Mrs Donze. I find the behavior very childish and very telling about the lengths people will go to in order to make others look bad so they might win more votes. Sean is a wonderful husband, father and friend. He has been involved in the community for decades. As a planning commissioner for over 20 years, committeeman and law enforcement officer. He has spent more time in court handling cases than many attorneys out there. Like the other gentleman mentioned, Sean saved the residents of Pocopson millions of dollars on the Bernard house project. In life the people that are often disliked the most are the very ones that are willing to stand alone and go against the grain to do what is right and just. Not just do the things that will make them popular. I am proud to call Sean my friend. He is a man of great character and integrity and I know in my heart he will make an excellent Judge. I could go on and on but unlike the person that just wanted to spew nasty remarks to put doubt in the minds of voters to benefit their “obvious” friend. I personally have faith in the people of this community to do their homework and educate themselves fully about both candidates, and cast their vote based on facts not vicious lies. I am very blessed to be able to call Sean Rafferty my friend and he has my vote.
The job of a judge is to make sure that justice is administered in an unbiased way. The attacks on Sean Rafferty make it appear that someone has an agenda against Mr. Rafferty. His extensive background in law enforcement easily qualifies him for the job and his record of standing up for what is right suggests that he will have the fortitude to make appropriate judicial decisions despite pressure from others. Voters deserve a break from nasty personal attacks. This is an opportunity for Jane Donze to demonstrate her commitment to fairness and her ability to stick to the pertinent facts by calling off the attacks on her opponent.
I’ve know Sean Rafferty for years Lauressa, and he is of the highest integrity. The outright lies and rumors started by you and his opponent make me sick. Sean saved the taxpayers of Pocopson millions of dollars by questioning the bad deal that you and others made regarding the Bernard House. I like Ms. Donze too, but feel that a retired officer with years of district court experience is a much better choice than an attorney. Most of our best local judges come from police departments, and two of them are currently from Tredyffrin. Why would an attorney walk away from a good practice to be a local judge? The difference in pay is astronomical. You and Mr. Rafferty may disagree over the Bernard House, but you do not get to make your own facts. At least put your name out there when you tell your tall tales. Good luck to both, but I am pulling for Mr. Rafferty in this election Lauressa.
Jane Donze certainly appears exceptionally qualified for the position of Magisterial District Judge, is local and engaged in our communities, and comes from the lineage of a well respected Judgeship. Having done much asking about her on the legal and community levels, her integrity, convictions, professionalism, and proven experience to effectively and fairly execute the duties of this office seem unmatched. Certainly she is the hands down choice compared to Sean Rafferty of Pocopson Township, who is also running, only took the course, is not an attorney, does not have any similar legal experience and does not pass the same character test by any stretch-as informally polled from nearly 100 residents in his own township. It is hopeful that the Republican Committee will endorse Jane easily as the much better qualified candidate and not be influenced by the fact that Rafferty is also a Republican Committeeman. I have not met her, do not know her personally, but I intend to. This is too important a position to leave to someone like Rafferty who has spent recent years denigrating community residents of the highest integrity for his personal agenda. I encourage all voters, republicans, democrats, and independents alike to ask around about these candidates- get to know Jane, and believe what you hear about Rafferty.