Born and raised in Monroe County, Kelly Lombardo’s family roots in the area stretch back four generations. The daughter of Joseph and Kathryn Lombardo, Kelly grew up in Jackson Township and attended Pocono Mountain School District. It was there she met her husband, Ryan, who is also a life-long resident of Monroe County. Together they are raising the fifth generation: their two children, Leah and Nicholas.   
 

Kelly’s strong desire to pursue a career in public service led her to West Chester University where she studied Forensic Chemistry. During an internship with the Philadelphia Crime Laboratory, Kelly was introduced to Criminal Court for the first time when she accompanied a forensic scientist to Court to testify in a rape trial. Shortly thereafter, Kelly was called for Jury Duty in Monroe County, where she was selected as a juror in a criminal homicide trial led by then First Assistant District Attorney Michael Mancuso and presided over by the late Honorable Ronald E. Vican. This experience ignited her passion for the law and justice, inspiring her to attend law school.

Kelly earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Forensic Chemistry, with minors in both Biology and Criminal Justice. She received her Juris Doctorate from Widener University School of Law in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. While in law school, Kelly gained recognition for her legal writing and pro bono work with the Harrisburg Civil Law Clinic, where she represented indigent clients in matters such as family law, estate administration, workers’ compensation hearings, and eviction proceedings. She also interned with local attorneys Michael Mancuso and Colleen Mancuso, as well as the late Daniel P. Lyons, assisting with research, case preparation, and client representation.

Kelly was admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania and began a two-year judicial clerkship with the Honorable Jennifer Harlacher Sibum of the Monroe County Court of Common Pleas.  During this time, she gained a unique perspective from the bench, attending a wide-range of court hearings, conducted legal research, and assisted with drafting court opinions. 

After her clerkship, then District Attorney E. David Christine, Jr. selected Kelly to join the DA’s office as a full-time district attorney. There, she honed her skills by prosecuting hundreds of cases, beginning with preliminary hearings at the Magisterial District Court all the way through jury trial and appeals to the Superior and Supreme Courts of Pennsylvania. Throughout her career as Assistant District Attorney, Kelly was entrusted with a variety of critical responsibilities, including handling bond hearings, probation violations, grand jury matters, and suppression of evidence hearings. 

Her time and dedication as Assistant District Attorney earned Kelly the respect of the law enforcement community. She’s worked alongside numerous local officers and state troopers and collaborated with victims' rights advocates and local agencies, including Women’s Resources, Monroe County Children and Youth caseworkers, and the Monroe County Coroner’s Office. Kelly is particularly proud to have successfully prosecuted violent criminals in cases of elder abuse, homicide, drug and weapons offenses, and Protection From Abuse contempt hearings. She was the first ADA in Monroe County to prosecute a Drug Delivery Resulting in Death case under new state legislation, securing a conviction after a jury trial.

 

Seeking to expand her credentials, Kelly joined the Elder Law practice of Attorney Lori J. Cerato where she continues to represent clients in the areas of estate planning, estate administration, guardianships for older adults, and children/adults with special needs, as well as Orphan’s Court litigation. For more than a decade, Kelly serves as Solicitor for the Monroe County Area Agency on Aging, advocating for the rights and well-being of our older adult population and assisting the agency with filing guardianship petitions.

Equipped with invaluable and balanced experience in and out of the courtroom, Kelly’s passion for justice and dedication to protecting the safety and well-being of members of our community make her the obvious choice for Judge of the Monroe County Court of Common Pleas. 

When she is not spending her free time with her family, Kelly dedicates her time to community service geared towards protecting our vulnerable population. She is a longstanding member of the Monroe County Elder Justice Task Force, advocating for our seniors who are subjected to exploitation and elder abuse. Kelly is a frequent speaker on legal topics of interest to local community groups. Having earned the respect of her peers, Kelly is elected to the Executive Board of Directors of the Monroe County Bar Association. She also acts as Treasurer of the Monroe Animal League, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing spay/neuter services for feral cats and domestic cats and dogs.   

Kelly’s deep ties to our community equip her with a profound understanding of the concerns and values that matter most to Monroe County citizens. As a fourth-generation resident, and the only candidate for Judge who was born and raised in Monroe County, Kelly’s commitment to public service is unmatched. As a Judge, Kelly will lead with integrity to ensure those who appear before her will be heard and treated with impartiality and respect. Kelly’s broad and balanced experience makes her the best candidate to deliver consistent and fair justice for all.