Gary D. Marchalk has announced his candidacy for a Common Pleas Judge seat.

Marchalk, 53, is a cum laude graduate of Widener School of Law, a magna cum laude graduate of New York Institute of Technology, a graduate of McCann School of Business and Tamaqua Area High School.He operates a general practice of law based in Tamaqua while also operating an affiliated title insurance agency and affiliated accounting and tax firm.Marchalk has had a wide range of experiences throughout his life."My father was in the United States Air Force and, as a child, I had the opportunity to travel the world, learning new things wherever we lived," Marchalk said. "I was out working in the real world for over 30 years, including stints in the United States Army and local coal mines, before becoming an attorney. I believe my experience as a typical working-class American, combined with my experience as an attorney, has given me a unique perspective on what the term "justice" should mean."In his practice, Marchalk has represented thousands of people and busineses throughout Pa. He regularly practices in five counties and has been exposed to different systems and judges.Marchalk regularly handles matters for clients in the areas of divorce, custody, support, protection from abuse, children and youth, criminal defense, civil and commercial litigation, real estate, federal and state tax matters, personal injury, etc."Being in court, for most people, is not where they want to be," he said. "When they leave my courtroom I want them to leave with the belief that they had their day in court, that I listened to what they had to say and that I did everything that I could to fairly decide their case. After all, that is what our system is all about."