Noteworthy: Swan, a former Allegheny County deputy district attorney, was sworn in Friday as the District Judge for District 05-3-04, representing Hampton, Richland and West Deer. He officially takes office Jan. 4.
Age: 58
Residence: Richland
Family: Wife, Jaclynn; sons, Kevin and Grant; daughter, Caroline.
Background: After growing up in the Washington, D.C., suburbs and graduating from law school, Swan worked for the National Association for Attorneys General in Washington, publishing a study on the use of RICO laws against drug traffickers. He moved to Pittsburgh to work at the Allegheny County District Attorney's Office in 1988, handling a number of homicide trials, witness protection and relocation cases, and civil asset forfeitures. An advocate for people with autism, Swan also wrote a book of poetry called “Spot, Spell and Tell” to benefit a now-defunct autism nonprofit.
Education: B.S. in justice, American University, 1980; J.D. from Ohio Northern University School of Law, 1984.
Quote: “It's a very diverse district with all different classes of people, which will make it very exciting. Looking at all the different cases I've handled, I have a good idea of what's fair.”
