Candidate for
Judge; Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas; District 1

Judge Angeles Roca Judicial Candidate May, 2009 Primary Elections

BIOGRAPHY

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pa, I currently reside with my husband and family in the city's Northern Liberties section. Living in many of the city's neighborhoods, such as: Fairmount, Feltonville, North and South Philadelphia, Hunting Park, and Logan, I truly call the city my home!

Experiencing both public and parochial schools broadened my outlook on education. Upon graduating from high school I attended the InterAmerican University of Puerto Rico. After completing one year at the university, I returned home. Soon thereafter, I met and married my husband, Carlos Rexach and began employment at Wills Eye Hospital. After working 17 years at the Wills Eye Hospital, I felt a change was needed.

Coming from a poor, underprivileged family, I promised myself that I would provide a better lifestyle for my children. I wanted to show my children that a professional degree and career were possible. Consequently, in 1984 I enrolled at Temple University. I attended classes at night, all the while, maintaining full time employment and raising my family. In 1992, after a lengthy eight years, I graduated from Temple University with a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice. Law school was my next endeavor. During this time I became a caretaker for two nephews in addition to my own two children. I realized that I could not maintain full time employment and care for a family with school aged children. I resigned from Wills Eye Hospital and entered Villanova School of Law as a full time student. In 1995, I became the first member of my family to obtain a professional degree when I received a Juris Doctor.

While at Villanova, I participated in the Farmlaborer's Legal Education Program. The program allowed students to meet with farm laborer's to answer questions and concerns regarding legal issues. Additionally, I proposed and established an externship program with the Police Barrio Relations Project. This organization was dedicated to protecting and education citizens about their civil rights. My relationship with the Barrio Project continued after I graduated as I continued to perform volunteer services for the organization. Over the years I have been involved in legal assistance programs in the community. It has always been my desire to educate and maintain contact with the public at large.

Upon graduating from law school, I became a sole practitioner with a general practice in a neighborhood office, where I remain until this past October. I soon discovered that my strength was in family law. My practice was primarily dedicated to domestic relations with some civil litigation and municipal court cases; including small claims, landlord/tenant and Fair Housing Commission issues. I was very dedicated to the community and to my clientele. My reputation of being fair, honest and impartial resulted from my dedication and commitment to the community. Moreover, throughout the years, I excelled in mediation that has resulted in many settlements. I carry those traits to the bench.

Until my recent appointment to the bench, I was a member of the Pennsylvania Bar and a non-active member of the New Jersey Bar. I have been a member of Hispanic Bar Association, the Philadelphia Bar Association, the American Bar Association and the American Trial Lawyers Association. I have acted in the capacity of an arbitrator in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas and I volunteered as a Judge Pro Tem in the First Judicial District's Residential Mortgage Foreclosure Diversion Pilot Program. Furthermore, I am a former member of the Leadership Board of the Villanova Law Minority Alumni Society and a former member of the Steering Committee of the Villanova Law Minority Alumni Society.

Recently, I was nominated by Governor Edward Randell, to fill a vacancy as a Judge for the Court of Common Pleas. On October 7, 2008, I was unanimously confirmed by the Pennsylvania State Senate and became a Judge. I have been assigned to the Court of Common Pleas, Philadelphia County, Domestic Relations Division, which I must add, is an honor and I am humbled to continue to act as a public servant for our communities.

In 2005 and 2006, I was selected and named Pennsylvania Super Lawyer Rising Star by Philadelphia Magazine and in 2008 I was named one of Delaware Valley's Most Influential Latinos by Impacto Latin Newspaper and The Council of Spanish Speaking Organizations, Inc. My family and I are very proud of these hard-earned achievements!