Q&A with Sabrina Korbel, Judge, Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas

Presently, on the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas, only 30% of judges are women; only four judges are people of color; only one judge is a woman of color and only two judges openly identify at LGBTQ. With nine open seats, we are at a moment in time where we can change how the bench looks and absolutely need to make our court more inclusive. It is one of the first steps to addressing implicit bias on the bench.

This is the fifteenth post of our election season series ‘Political Q&A’ with progressive candidates throughout Pennsylvania. Candidates can be anywhere in Pennsylvania running for any level of office. Please note that these are not necessarily endorsements, more of an opportunity for candidates to connect with the LGBTQ community, progressives neighbors, and others with an interest in Western Pennsylvania. If your candidate would like to participate, please contact us pghlesbian at gmail dot com.

I read about Sabrina’s campaign, then I saw an amazing commercial where she devoted a bit of time to promote resources for domestic violence survivors. As a former worker with Womansplace (now Center for Victims), that resonated with me. I was intrigued because candidates don’t typically invest precious moments of TV ads for non-campaign topics. As I read her response, I was struck by how broad her experience has been working with Womansplace these many years, how many different courts she’s appeared in, how expansive her knowledge is even though it is seemingly deeply embedded in domestic violence. I was very wrong about that. She lays out an exhaustive list of suggestions to reform the Courts. I encourage you to read on …

Your Name: Sabrina Korbel
Your Pronouns: she/her/hers
The Office You Seek: Judge, Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas

How do you describe your identity? Cisgender white heterosexual woman

Please tell us about an underappreciated or little known asset in the local criminal justice system.

Undoubtedly, this would be our Diversionary Courts where diversionary specialists establish plans with individuals engaged in the criminal justice system prior to the preliminary hearing and prior to arraignment. These courts focus on connecting people to resources rather than punishment, particularly in the area of mental health, drug and alcohol treatment and domestic violence. It is these types of restorative justice programs that should be expanded and prioritized in our courts and it is the reason why the candidates running for Magistrate should get amble attention as well in this election. A second asset that does not get much attention are the non-attorney legal advocates who appear in the criminal division each and every day to support victims of crime. Domestic violence legal advocates provide free and confidential support to help domestic violence victims navigate the complexities of the legal system. The work of legal advocates includes a wide range of services such as court accompaniment, safety planning, explanation of available options, direct advocacy as the case progresses through the legal system, community education, and police training. In 2020, the Legal Advocacy Department at Women’s Center & Shelter provided services to over 3,000 victims of domestic violence. I recently had a conversation with a client who received services from a legal advocate from Center for Victims who said to me, “the advocate meant everything to me, she stood quietly next to me in court, lifting me up and supporting me. She knew what I needed before I did and she was the only reason I was able to make it through this process.”

Tell us about the first LGBTQ person you met and what impact they had on your life?

In Intermediate School in the late 1980’s – I had a very good friend who identified as LGBTQ but never felt safe to come out publically. While he had a small group of supportive friends that knew about his sexual orientation, the barriers and fears resulting from heterosexism prohibited him from being open about his orientation. Classmates routinely victimized him and their words and actions over time undeniably affected his overall personal safety and wellbeing, his mental health, and his social development as a teenager. At one point in time, I remember that he tried to divert this treatment/attention from classmates by entering into a dating relationship with a heterosexual woman in the grade above him. This lasted only a few weeks before he ended the relationship. After that, there were many moments where this friend was made to feel guilt, shame, disgust and fear.

After we graduated from high school, this friend and I lost touch with each other for a bit of time, both going out into the world to find our own paths, but thanks to the power of social media (there are a few things it is positive for), we reconnected a few years ago and it became very clear that this friend is in a loving and supportive same sex relationship and he has peace in his life. I think about this friend often, mostly because both of my teenage children are around the same age as he and I were when he faced such trauma. As a mother of a teenager who identifies at LGBTQ, I am well aware of the daily struggles that youth face in their fight for safety and inclusivity. I remember how difficult it was for my friend. My teenager and I spend much of our time together discussing these barriers, my teenager’s goal to be an advocate for open dialogue in schools and for laws and policies that protect LGBTQ youth. Lives can be saved if we elect people who desire to improve the response to the LGBTQ community and prioritize change through legislative, cultural and social transformations.

Please tell me about your familiarity with the LGBTQ community in your district and the region. Based on this, what do you understand to be our top LGBTQ concerns and priorities for the Court of Common Pleas?

In my work as the Legal Director of the Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh, I represent persons who are LGBTQ in protection from abuse, custody and divorce matters. Through my representation, I strive to protect the rights of my clients and ensure that my clients feel safe and engaged in their court cases while at the same time educating the court about the many barriers faced by the LGBTQ community in the justice system. Where possible in my cases, I educate the court about the Power and Control Wheel for LGBTQ relationships, noting that it is important to understand the unique safety concerns of victims who are LGBTQ.

In addition to providing direct representation to members of the LGBTQ community, the Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh established a position for an LGBTQIA+ Outreach Advocate to educate those working in my agency in order to improve services provided to LGBTQ communities in addition to making connections to victims within those same populations. Through this work, I have had the benefit of deepening my knowledge about issues faced by LGBTQ people and how I can continue to improve conditions for LGBTQ survivors as an ally in the fight to end domestic violence. In 2018, I applied to become a Commissioner on the City of Pittsburgh Gender Equity Commission and was accepted on that Commission as a founding member. Through this work, the Commission has focused on efforts to make substantial changes to the City’s practices and procedures in order to create equitable and safe spaces for members of the LGBTQ community. Also, I continue to financially support groups that support LGBTQ persons. I am honored to support them through my personal efforts in addition to working for an agency that salutes the work of these organizations and collaborates with the leaders within these organizations.

In my opinion, the top priority for LGBTQ community is for the court to understand how its members, especially LGBTQ youth, are re-victimized over and over again in their lives and the very important role judges play in ending that victimization.

I believe there are 28 candidates vying for 9 seats on the Court of Common Pleas. That’s pretty overwhelming as a voter. Help readers understand how and why to choose whom to support in this primary election.

With 9 seats open on the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas in 2021, there is an opportunity to elect judges who can make a positive, substantial and lasting impact on the way our justice system looks, operates and engages with the people who use the courts. With so many candidates, it must feel impossible for voters to sort through who is most qualified for this position. When evaluating candidates, voters should remember that first and foremost, judges are public servants. Judges are elected to serve the true customers of the court – the people who litigate their cases there and judges should do this equitably, compassionately and with empathy – always treating people with dignity and respect, striving to recognize the uniqueness of each litigant’s individual needs, authentic story and life circumstances. Judges should work hard and commit all their efforts to ensuring open and equal access to justice, even when it inconveniences them. Judges should be leaders and should use their positions to make systemic changes and establish and improve equitable practices and policies through collaboration with community partners who are doing the real work on the ground in our neighborhoods and our communities and who are most familiar with the needs of the people accessing our justice system. While it may take some additional time and effort, I hope that voters look to candidates whose prior records reflect a commitment to collaboration with community leaders, continuous growth and improvement of our justice system and service to the public.

My work as the Legal Director of the Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh has provided me with just that type of training and experience. I have devoted my entire legal career to providing free representation to survivors of domestic violence and their children in the trial and appellate courts. Through this work, I have stood with, and given a voice to, victims who face daily violence, housing and transportation obstacles, impediments to employment, financial burdens, mental health crises and their own involvement in the criminal justice system. I have witnessed the courage that it takes for individuals to engage in a confusing, expensive and overwhelming court system – often left feeling shut out and without access to justice. Most importantly, I have experienced how fair, unbiased and compassionate judges, with the right temperament, can empower an individual and launch them on their own authentic path to success.

I am Highly Recommended by the Allegheny County Bar Association – the highest rating you can receive — and I am running as a candidate for the Court of Common Pleas because I believe that through my experience and training as a hard working legal aid attorney, I have developed the type of compassion, temperament and fairness that will improve the Court of Common Pleas and make Allegheny County a model judicial system.

In my nearly twenty years of practice at the Women’s Center and Shelter Civil Law Project, I have gained experience and training as a trauma-informed attorney who has managed and litigated over 7,000 cases in the areas of family law and domestic violence. I handle cases in court on a daily basis and I know firsthand that we have a great deal of work to do to reform the court and restore our community’s trust in the justice system. During my career, I have fought alongside countless community partners to prioritize systemic changes that have made the courts more transparent, accessible and safe for our friends and neighbors who are the most resource burdened. I believe that when we make these types of changes, we improve the justice system for everyone.

While I have valued my time as Legal Director at the Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh and the impact I have had in the individual lives of survivors and their children, I am excited about the opportunity to take my experience and passion to the bench where I would turn to community partners – people and agencies that have been doing the hard and real work in our neighborhoods, to collaborate on best practices and focus on championing change that would benefit the true customers of the court, such as:

• Returning our court to the community by expanding community-based court locations that serve individuals within their own neighborhoods.

• Expanding the use of remote services to individuals using the court to reduce the burden of transportation costs, missed work time and childcare in order to have access to justice.

• Improving the court’s customer service and transparency by (1) creating and providing easy to understand written materials and videos to make court less confusing and more accessible for litigants; (2) expanding existing programs such as the pro se clinic where self- represented parties can obtain assistance with filing cases in court and creating new programs such as remote filing services for protection from abuse cases; (3) improving communication between the different Divisions of the court so that court services are more holistic and unified which should create more efficiency with cases and less continuances or time spent in court.

• Ensuring that our court’s policies and procedures are inclusive and gender and racially equitable. Mandate that all members of the court participate in regular training on implicit bias and equity, diversity and inclusion.

• Prioritizing criminal justice reform and use the position of judge to collaborate with community leaders and state and local legislators to make real and substantive changes while at the same time turning to restorative justice measures in lieu of incarceration.

• Focusing on reform beyond criminal justice so that all Divisions of the court establish practices that eliminate implicit bias, racism and access to justice obstacles for low-income and resource burdened individuals and people of color – those individuals who are most negatively impacted by the court’s current practices.

• Creating additional specialized courts in accordance with national standards and models where judges become experts and hear cases in specific areas that have daily impacts on families and children, such as in the area of domestic violence.

• Implementing a Trauma-Informed culture within the court and require that all court policies and procedures be conducted in a Trauma-Informed manner.

Within this crowded field, there are a number of incredibly qualified candidates running for the Court of Common Pleas. With the 2021 election, we have the opportunity to elect judges who will make our court more diverse, inclusive and focused on judicial reform that will positively improve an individual’s experience in the justice system and ensure that everyone’s rights are honored and protected.

The Court of Common Pleas is divided into four categories: Civil, Criminal, Family, and Orphan. Help our readers understand the distinctions.

The Civil Division handles disputes between litigants including but not limited to landlord/tenant, breach of contract, personal injury, property damage, employment law, enforcement of labor arbitration awards, land use appeals, election law disputes and appeals from the Magisterial District Court that are not criminal in nature. Generally judges in this Division either direct a party to take a certain action or to pay monetary damages.

The Criminal Division handles cases where the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania files criminal charges under the Pennsylvania Crimes Code against an individual. The Office of the District Attorney represents the Commonwealth’s interest and individuals charged with crimes have the right to have an attorney assigned to represent them. Generally, these criminal charges, which range from simple misdemeanors to serious felonies, are filed and first addressed at the Magisterial District Court and then later transferred to the Criminal Division.

The Family Division handles cases related to marriage, parents and children. In Allegheny County, this Division is divided into the Juvenile Division and the Adult Division. In Juvenile Court, judges hear cases related to a parent’s inability to care for the children (dependency court) and cases where minors have been charged with a crime (delinquency court). In the Adult Division, judges handle cases related to divorce, child custody, child/spousal support and protection from abuse.

The Orphans Division handles cases related to the matters of minors (such as adoptions and terminating a parent’s rights), the estates or wills of people who have passed away, and care of people who no longer have the capacity to care for or make decisions for themselves.

I have managed and provided legal representation to victims of domestic violence in over 7000 cases in the Family Division, including participation in negotiations, motions, hearings, and trials before Judges, Masters and Hearing Officers. Many of these matters have related cases in the Criminal Division allowing me to gain extensive knowledge of the criminal justice system and areas of needed reform. In the Orphans Division, I have handled adoption cases. I do not practice in the Civil Division, but I do oversee cases as a Hearing Officer (like a judge) for the Allegheny County Retirement Board. This experience has given me the knowledge and temperament needed to take the bench and make a positive impact on Allegheny County families.

Your professional life has been focused on survivors of domestic violence and their children. Why do you want to move from direct legal practice to a seat on the bench?

For nearly twenty years, I have worked tirelessly to ensure that the voices of victims and their children are heard in our justice system. I believe that this work, though collaborative efforts, has lead to a number of successful systemic changes such as the creation of a model program for victims seeking protection through the court. My time providing direct representation has been the best part of my legal career, my clients are incredibly brave and resourceful and it has been an honor to stand with them in court and give a voice to their stories. Through that representation, I have seen the need for further change in our justice system in order to truly meet the needs of our most resource burdened residents and despite all best efforts made thus far, I feel that the only way to achieve this change is from the bench. Increasing and expanding access to justice in all ways is something I deeply value. I know that the way to make true substantive change is from the inside and so that is why I am seeking an opportunity to become a judge, where I can collaborate with community leaders to create a space where everyone feels that they are valued, heard as individuals, and has access to a supportive and engaged justice system.

When your career has been so focused on one population or issue, how do you develop the skills necessary to adjudicate other types of cases?

I have been privileged to stand with victims of domestic violence as they negotiate their own safety under life threatening conditions and ask the court to provide protection for them and their children. While my practice has focused on a certain population, the cases I handle involve diverse and complex family law matters. Historically, newly elected judges begin their career on the bench in the Family Division. We know that judges in this Division handle the largest volume of cases, hear over 4000 protection from abuse proceedings annually, and preside over cases that involve domestic violence no less than 30% of the time. Recent evaluations conducted by the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges and the Center for Court Innovation in 2016 highlighted the need for judges who can specialize in the area of domestic violence. Additionally, representing one of our county’s most resource burdened populations for nearly twenty years has provided me with the skills that will allow me to adjudicate over many types of cases compassionately and empathetically because the skills I have acquired apply holistically to all areas of the court and not just to a specific population.

I have seen a desperate need for judges to serve as first responders with regard to connecting people to supportive resources at all levels in their legal matters. We know there is a lack of mental health, drug and alcohol, employment and family resources available to people entering our justice system. We especially see this is in the Family Division where resources are unevenly distributed based on a person’s access to financial support. It has always been a priority for me to serve as a leader in expanding funding and access to these resources and to use my the skills and knowledge to ensure that people are connected to easily accessible resources where they need additional support in their lives. I would continue to connect to networks that I have created within our communities and bring people into the court that have the best information on how we can serve the residents and families of Allegheny County. The benefit of working for a law project within a social service agency is that I have seen the positive impact on individuals receiving holistic support without being victimized for what happened in their lives. We desperately need judges who, like myself, prioritize this and who focus on the facts of the case as they relate to the specific individuals appearing before them, independent of other cases that they may have heard in the past and with a clear understanding that people face complex decisions based on the facts and resources that are available to them at that moment in time.

Second, we need judges who are trauma informed and culturally competent. This does not mean that as a judge I would identify with each person’s authentic lived experience, but would ask, listen and learn more about people’s background. It does mean that I will recognize my bias, value our differences and accept that a person’s lived experience affects how they see the world and make decisions for themselves and their families. Also, I have always appreciated that most people who access the justice system have experienced some level of trauma and they need to feel safe to share their stories, that their voice is heard in the courtroom and that they are engaged in their legal case. As a judge, I will work to be empathetic and continue to use and develop my twenty years of training to provide a trauma informed approach and to strive to be culturally competent.

Finally, we have an accessibility barrier to justice and a lack of judicial understanding of these barriers. So many litigants appear in court without an attorney. A significant part of my career has been negotiating and working with unrepresented parties. When a person appears before a judge, they should leave feeling that their voice was heard, that they understood the outcome and the reasons for that outcome and that they clearly know what the next steps are in their legal matter. This information should always come directly from the judge. Presently, in all four of our Divisions in the court, there are many situations where parties appear for their case, but never actually see or speak to their judge. I firmly believe that it is the judge’s responsibility to work to expand access to information about the justice system and to always deliver the outcome and message from the court directly to the parties involved in the case, each and every time the case comes before them.

What changes could be made in Allegheny County Courts to better support survivors while upholding the rights of the accused?

For me, this again begins with increased access to resources for both victims and perpetrators of violence and also an understanding of the role of trauma in the lives of survivors and their children. Victims of violence need to see court as a place where it is safe to share their stories without being re-victimized – not just because it matters for their own healing, but also for future victims of violence to feel like they will be treated with dignity and respect. We need judges who are trauma-informed and who are committed to continued training on trauma and domestic violence. Perpetrators of violence need to also see the court as a place where they will not be dismissed but will be given the option to take accountability for their actions and change their behavior so that they can have healthy relationships with their children and with other members of society. In my practice, I rarely work with victims who seek “punishment” for their abusers, but rather simply want the violence to stop.

While in the Criminal Divisions the accused have the right to counsel, the same is not true in other Divisions of our court. In the past, there was a push in the Legislature to expand the civil right to counsel. Judges should take a leadership role and work with state leaders to expand access to affordable or free legal representation where possible. People need good and available access to legal advice and information about their cases in order to make informed decisions and ensure that their rights are protected. While the Family Division presently has a self-help clinic, it cannot possibly meet the needs of everyone; as a judge I would focus my energy on expanding programs like these to ensure increased access to justice.

Additionally, we need more restorative justice programs. In the last few months, I have collaborated on a project to bring batterers intervention programs (presently offered in criminal cases) into the Family Division as a way to connect people to help that will improve their relationships. Programs such as “BIP” benefit both victims and abusers and most importantly their children. These are exactly the types of resources and programs that we need to expand and prioritize.

What percentage of clients of the Women’s Center and Shelter Civil Law Project are LGBTQIA+?

Because identifying as LGBTQIA+ is not a requirement to receive representation from the Women’s Center and Shelter Civil Law Project (i.e. WC&S-CLP serves victims of domestic violence who are at or below a certain income level), the Law Project does not require clients to indicate their sexual orientation for statistical purposes and thus it is not possible to share a percentage of the clients who are LGBTQIA+. Despite this, we know from information shared by individual clients that we are assisting many people who are LGBTQIA+ and I am extremely thankful to work for an agency that supports the LGBTQIA+ community in so many ways.

How does intersectionality inform your work?

According to statistics, at least one in four women and one in nine men are victims of domestic violence. However, domestic violence does not impact just a certain category of people. We know that victims come from all races, ages, sexual orientations, religions and socioeconomic backgrounds. Despite this, society’s stereotypes effect how victims are viewed which in turn can create hurdles and barriers as to how victims are connected to services and safety. Because of this, every aspect of my work focuses on intersectionality, meeting victims where they are and educating those in the justice system on how domestic violence cannot just be viewed as a single issue but instead as a comprehensive and complex matter that needs to focus on all the parts of someone’s unique individual situation. This is the reason why the Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh has focused on looking at and better understanding systemic racism including how people of color access safety through the justice system, it is why the agency has established positions such as our LGBTQIA+ Outreach Advocate and created a team of advocates who work with the refugee, immigrant and limited English proficiency communities. It is also why I have worked so hard to prioritize funding for and the formation of our Immediate Needs Coordinators or our “INC” team who works with victims to connect them to resources throughout our communities that help with economic assistance, job placement and training, transportation, child care, housing, etc. We know that when a domestic violence victim is leaving a relationship, it is the most dangerous time for them and their safety is a priority, but we also know that they face far-reaching barriers to seeking safety because of their race, age, sexual orientation, religion, culture and socioeconomic status. I have worked and we must continue to work to eliminate stereotypes, and look at problems through an intersectional lens in order to fully meet the comprehensive needs of victims that are unique to their specific situations and backgrounds.

Why does it matter that we have representation in race, gender, ethnicity, and other identities as judges?

Presently, on the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas, only 30% of judges are women; only four judges are people of color; only one judge is a woman of color and only two judges openly identify at LGBTQ. With nine open seats, we are at a moment in time where we can change how the bench looks and absolutely need to make our court more inclusive. It is one of the first steps to addressing implicit bias on the bench. It is also important because we need to re-establish our community’s trust in the court system and that is only possible if people coming before the court believe that there are judges on the bench who can identify with their authentic experiences, cultural practices and belief systems.

Why did you agree to complete this Q&A?

Since starting to follow Sue Kerr’s writings on social media and the PghLesbian.com, it has always been clear to me that there is a deep devotion to the distribution of pertinent and relevant information about issues and concerns that are priorities for the LGBTQIA+ community. Unfortunately, judicial elections rarely garner the level of attention that they deserve, which is alarming because of the enormous impact courts can have on each of our lives. Over the next few weeks, voters will be reviewing a ballot with 39 candidates listed for the Court of Common Pleas. I appreciate Sue’s efforts to bring a much needed focus to this race (and other important judicial races) and I am grateful to have this opportunity to communicate with voters about information about my career, my reasons for running and my goals for reforming the courts.

Tell me about your endorsements and supporters.

I am very proud of the variety in our endorsements and supporters which include community leaders, activists, and the following committees, organizations and elected officials:

Endorsed By:

The Allegheny County Democratic Committee

Elected Officials:

Senator Lindsey Williams, Honorary Chair

The Chartier’s Valley Democratic Chairs Org. Eastern Regional Democratic Organization (ERDO)

The South Park Democratic Committee

The Democrats of Dormont

Carnegie Democratic Committee

Monroeville Democratic Committee

Plum Borough Democratic Committee

Allegheny County Democratic Black Caucus

The 14th Ward Independent Democratic Club

Steel City Stonewall Democrats

Gertrude Stein Political Club

The Allegheny-Fayette Central Labor Council

The Pittsburgh Building Trades

Laborer’s District Council of Western Pennsylvania IUPAT District Council 57

Iron Workers Local 3

AFGE #1916

Steamfitters Local 449

AFSCME Council #84

Teamsters Joint Council No. 40

Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers

Pennsylvania State Education Association SEIU Local 668

Plumbers Local 27

Boilermakers Local 154

Amalgamated Transit Union Local 85

Recommended By:

The Young Democrats of Allegheny County

NOBO Progressives

Treasurer John Weinstein, Honorary Chair

Senator Jay D. Costa

Senator James Brewster

Senator Wayne D. Fontana

Representative Sara Innamorato

Representative Austin Davis

Representative Dan Miller

Representative Anita Astorino Kulik

Representative Dan Deasy

Representative Jessica Benham

Representative Ed Gainey

Representative Jake Wheatley

Representative Nick Pisciottano

Allegheny County Sheriff Bill Mullen City Controller Michael Lamb

President City Council Theresa Kail-Smith

City Councilman Anthony Coghill

City Councilwoman Erika Strassburger

City Councilman Corey O’ Connor

County Councilman Bob Palmosina

County Councilman John Palmiere

County Councilman Paul Zavarella

Is there anything you’d like to add?

Historically, new judges start their careers in the Family Division. While there are nine openings, it is likely that at least five of the new judges will be placed in the Family Division. Most judicial candidates, if not all the candidates currently running prioritize the need for criminal justice reform and many campaigns, including mine, have set forth goals for achieving this reform. However, it is important to also consider candidates whose legal backgrounds include work in the Family Division and with our families in Allegheny County. If we as voters fail to do this, we are overlooking the need for holistic changes that will expand access to justice for everyone and we are doing a disservice to all those who will access the Family Division which handles the highest volume of cases and touches so many families in Allegheny County.

Where can readers find your campaign on social media? How can they donate to your campaign?

Website: www.SabrinaForJudge.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeamSabrina2021 Twitter: @SabrinaKorbel

Instagram: SabrinaKorbelForJudge

Thank you, Sabrina.

Other Q&A’s in this election cycle series. You can read previous cycle Q&A’s here.