CCBA Feature
INTERVIEW WITH NEWLY ELECTED JUDGE:
Honorable Alita R. Rovito PERSONAL:
PROFESSIONAL:
Are you married? Yes, I have been married for 34 years to Kevin Lawrence and we have two adult daughters; Aggie who is an occupational therapist and Mary who is a lawyer at MacElree Harvey. My nephew, Michael, is our de facto son and he is also a lawyer at MacElree Harvey.
Why did you decide to become a judge? After being in
How did you meet your spouse? We met at Penn State, in
question? I found it both exhausting and exciting. I really enjoyed traveling the county, talking to and learning what is important to the citizens, but we have a big county and lots of people.
State College, although we grew up within 10 miles of each other.
Do you have any hobbies? Yes, I like to cook and read. We have a houseboat on the Sassafras River in Maryland, and I love being on the water. What made you decide to go to law school? My parents believed in education and “directed” us all to professions. My mom was a master degreed art teacher, and my dad was a lawyer in Shamokin, PA where I grew up. My dad had a law office and when we talked about my career plans, he said, “If that idiot down the hall can be a lawyer, so can you.” Not a resounding endorsement but he was right, I was meant to be a lawyer.
When did you first come to Chester County? Kevin and I lived in Phoenixville, the summer of 1987, when I was studying for the bar exam. I interviewed for the DA’s office on December 28, 1987 and started there at the end of February 1988. We bought a house in West Goshen that April and never looked back.
Why did you choose Chester County? When I graduated law school, I got a job as in-house General Counsel for Cottman Transmission. I learned a lot about transmissions and the business of franchising, but I knew that was not what I wanted to do, I wanted to work in public service and I wanted to be in a courtroom. I applied to the Chester County PD’s office and DA’s office. I got the call from the DA’s office first offering me an interview on December 28, 1987. As I drove into West Chester, I drove past St. Agnes Cemetery and St. Agnes Church. My mother and sister were killed in an auto accident just shy of my 15th birthday. My mother’s name was Agnes. My second interview with the DA’s office was January 21st, the Feast Day of St. Agnes. I think my mom was telling me that Chester County was where I was meant to be, and we have made it our home.
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private practice for over 10 years, I wanted to return to public service and give back to Chester County as it had given me so much.
How did you find the campaign process? Is that a serious
What are you most looking forward to, once you are on the bench of the Court of Common Pleas? Making a difference in people’s lives. Helping people see the forest through trees.
What types of cases will you be presiding over? Family and Criminal
Is there anything that a lawyer coming to your court room should be aware of, in advance, either in terms of formality, dress code, or civility? Be civil, polite, and respectful because there is no reason not to be and you certainly cannot expect people to treat you that way if you don’t treat them that way. Be prepared.
As a “Newbie” to the bench, what do you hope to learn from other judges on the bench? So much…I have already learned so much from them. Everyone has been supportive and helpful. I feel very lucky.
What strengths do you bring to the bench? I have been a lawyer in Chester County for 34 years, so I care about the County and its Citizens. I am open-minded, fair, and compassionate. I work hard and want to do a good job.
