Chase McClister

McClister Runs For Judge

On November 21, 2016, Chase McClister announced that he is a candidate for judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Armstrong County. This follows the announcement of the retirement of President Judge Kenneth G. Valasek at the end of this year.

The 47-year-old attorney was raised in Manor Township, the son of James and the late Joey McClister. He is a partner with his father at the law firm of Heilman and McClister, where he has practiced for 21 years. He enjoys a broadly diverse practice that includes real estate, trusts and estates, municipal law, contract law, and civil litigation.

In addition to working in his law office, Mr. McClister has served as an Armstrong County Assistant District Attorney for 19 years. This has given him the opportunity to be in court very frequently and to prosecute a great many jury trials, including several high profile murder and child abuse cases. He personally prosecuted the first death penalty case in Armstrong County in nearly 50 years. McClister is proud to work closely with state and local police, including the officers who participate in the Armstrong County Narcotics Enforcement Team (ARMNET).

“As a judge, I will continue to be proactive in our fight against the heroin epidemic that has brought so much heartbreak to Armstrong County families,” McClister said. “A judge should do more than preside in the courtroom every day. Our communities need leaders who are role models and who will work outside of the courthouse and step right into the front lines of this fight for our children’s lives.”

Mr. McClister has served as the Armstrong County solicitor and as solicitor for ten boroughs and townships in the county. For several years he volunteered as a judge in the American Mock Trial Association’s regional tournament hosted by I.U.P.

“The people of Armstrong County value hard work. I promise them that the same work ethic that has served my clients well will come with me to the judge’s bench. Trust me to be fair and firm, to use my common sense and to apply the law in an evenhanded manner, no matter who you are, who you know, or where you’re from.”

Mr. McClister and his wife Mindy live in East Franklin Township with their sons Jacob, Alex, Colin and John. Mr. McClister serves on the boards of directors of the Community Foundation Serving the Heart of Western Pennsylvania and ACMH Hospital, and is a former board member of ARC Manor. He was Co-Chairman of Arts on the Allegheny for five years. He and his family are members of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Kittanning and the Kittanning Church of God.

Mr. McClister earned his Bachelor of Arts from Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, New York, and his law degree from The Dickinson School of Law in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where he was selected for membership in The Order of Barristers, a national honor society for oral advocacy and brief writing skills. He is a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association, and is the Treasurer for the Armstrong County Bar Association.

Mr. McClister is seeking the nominations of both the Republican and Democratic parties. You can learn more about Chase McClister and his campaign at the campaign’s Facebook page.

For more information, contact Chase McClister at (724) 548-1596.