“Where you see wrong or inequality or injustice, speak out, because this is your country. This is your democracy. Make it. Protect it. Pass it on.”
-Justice Thurgood Marshall
Welcome to the webpage of Richard C. DeMarco for Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in Philadelphia County. Richard DeMarco has been a practicing attorney in Pennsylvania for over 31 years, appearing frequently in both Pennsylvania trial and appellate courts, as well as all the City’s administrative boards. Richard DeMarco is running for Judge to bring fairness, integrity, and competence to the Philadelphia Courts, to protect our democracy, and to continue his commitment to public service that has been the central purpose of his legal career. Feel free to review this website to understand Mr. DeMarco’s record of accomplishments and service, and his qualifications to serve as judge.
"The greatest sin is judgment without knowledge." - Kelsey Grammer
Richard DeMarco was admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar in 1993 and has been an actively practicing attorney ever since. He has appeared in numerous jury trials and non-jury waiver trials, appeals before all our state appellate courts, and appearances before all of the city’s administrative boards. He has his own diverse legal practice, representing a wide variety of clients including individuals, community organizations, restaurants, businesses, small and large developers, and corporate clients. Having been practicing for so many years, Mr. DeMarco has developed a higher understanding of the law and a higher competence in the practice of law. Additionally, having practiced for so long a time, he believes he has come to understand the many strengths and many weaknesses involving our justice system. As a judge, Mr. DeMarco is highly qualified to both be aware of the systems’ weaknesses and work to improve it.
"Judges ought to be more leaned than witty, more reverent than plausible, and more advised than confident. Above all things, integrity is their portion and proper virtue." - Francis Bacon
Unfortunately, there is too much unfairness and cronyism in our judicial system. One of Mr. DeMarco’s core reasons for running for Judge is to pursue appropriate reforms of the Court system to make it more judicious and fairer for all stakeholders in the system. Mr. DeMarco’s time on two significant reform boards makes him uniquely qualified to be a judge. First, he was appointed to the Philadelphia Zoning Code Commission in 2010 and helped to shape the massive City reform effort of the Philadelphia Zoning Code, which involved multiple stakeholders including multiple City departments, the development community, City Council, and community organizations, among others. His involvement with that effort involved the management of multiple sides of the development, neighborhood, and political community, and included problem solving, and the careful consideration of shifting needs and desires involving communities, developers, and lawmakers. Additionally, Mr. DeMarco was a board member of the Philadelphia Land Bank, the Board charged with obtaining and disposing of City owned property to developers, property owners, residents, and commercial businesses. His time on the Land Bank Board also involved deliberation and consideration of competing interests in order to reach a fair and equitable conclusion to both protect neighborhoods and grow the City’s tax base. These above experiences make him uniquely qualified to be a judge, having managed many different and competing interests and coming to a fair and equitable conclusion in each matter.
“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” - Winston Churchill
One of Richard DeMarco’s core principles is dedicated service to his community. He has never shied away from pro bono work. Most of that work involves representing community organizations. Mr. DeMarco has worked with community organizations such as the Pennsport Civic Association, the South Broad Street Neighbors Association, Whitman Council Inc., Olde Richmond Civic Association, Society Hill Civic Association, and his own community – the Veterans Stadium Neighbors Civic Association (VSN). He has represented these community groups before the Zoning Board, other administrative boards, and in court appeals to the Pa. appellate courts. He has also advocated for his own community as a Registered Community Organization (Vice president of VSN) and as an elected committeeperson and ward attorney within the Ward system. As a committeeperson, Mr. DeMarco has been a strong voice in his community in protecting it from adverse developments, supporting beneficial development and advocating for greater City services for his community. Mr. DeMarco is also a voting member of the Live! Casino Advisory Committee, which votes on and supports many neighborhood improvement projects.
"We can have democracy in this country, or we can have great wealth concentrated in the hands of a few, but we can't have both." - Louis D. Brandeis
Unfortunately, currently, our democracy is under constant threat. Powerful financial and political interests exert significant power in our legal system, and in many cases those interests seek to impact our judicial system in adverse ways and achieve unfair or unjust results. A strong and independent judiciary is the key to protecting our democracy. Richard DeMarco is running for judge to be a voice for every person, to protect his or her right to vote, and have a fair shot in our legal system. He has been an elected Committeeperson in the city’s ward structure for his entire legal career. He was a committeeperson in the 36th Ward under Council President Anna C Verna, whom he worked for as a legislative aide and staff attorney and is currently a committeeperson in Ward 39B in South Philadelphia. As a committeeperson, Mr. DeMarco has assisted his neighbors in casting mail-in and absentee ballots and protected the right to vote of many residents and neighbors. He has also appeared periodically in election court to obtain orders to allow prospective voters to vote.
"Never judge anyone shortly because every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future." - Oscar Wilde
Richard DeMarco understands the diverse history of the City of Philadelphia. It is a city of immigrants, and of multiple socio-economic levels. As a judge, every party that appears before him will have a fair opportunity to be heard, from criminal defendants to civil litigants and municipal and business interests. All parties’ positions will be given fair consideration. No undue weight will be given to powerful political and financial interests, and each case will be considered on its own merits.
Richard Demarco is a lifelong resident of Philadelphia, and lives in South Philadelphia with his wife, son, and daughter (and dog Nala). Please join with him to strengthen and improve our courts!
Richard DeMarco’s campaign for judge would love to have your assistance in get out the vote efforts, petition drives, and spreading the word about his candidacy. If you are willing to assist the campaign, please provide your information below:
Your support makes a difference! By contributing to Richard DeMarco’s campaign, you help ensure a judicial system that values fairness, integrity, and community. Together, we can bring much-needed reform to the Philadelphia Courts and uphold the principles of democracy. Click below to contribute and join us in this mission.
Make a DonationContributions by check can be made payable to “Friends of Richard DeMarco” and mailed to 3139 S Broad Street, Philadelphia Pa 19148.
(484) 247-4448
