Attorney James M. Goodwin, a partner in the law firm of Fruit, Dill, Goodwin and Scholl, has announced his candidacy for judge of the Mercer County Common Pleas Court.

Goodwin, citing his legal experience, family values and community involvement, pledges to maintain the high standards for the position of judge that the people of Mercer County expect, according to a news release from the candidate.

A member of the National Honor Society and an honors graduate from Sharon High as well as Washington & Jefferson College, he received his Juris Doctorate from Duquesne University School of Law. A lifelong resident of the Shenango Valley, the 44-year-old Goodwin is married to the former Colleen Kochis, a nurse practitioner. They are the parents of two children.

The son of attorney David and Sally Goodwin, he grew up in the law, clerking for his father's law firm while attending college and law school. This is his second experience in running for judge.

"I met a lot of very good people and enjoyed the experience though I would have enjoyed it more had I won," he said. "Since then, I have gained more experience, two kids and have a lot less hair."

Active in sports while in high school, Goodwin lettered in both baseball and basketball. For more than 15 years, he had been a pitcher for Jefferson Township in the Mercer County AA Baseball League. He is now involved in coaching with the Junior Division of Little League.

Also active in the community, Goodwin serves as a trustee of the Shenango Valley YMCA, with the last eight years serving as its president; he was awarded the Distinguished Service Award this year. He is serving as president-elect of Sharon Rotary, having previously served as treasurer and is a Rotary Reader, volunteering time to read in elementary schools.

He is the president of the trustees of his church, a Sunday school teacher and is representative to Christian Associates, where he serves on their task force. In addition, Goodwin is the treasurer of the Community Child Care Center, is a member of the Board of Shenango Senior Care Center and has been on the advisory board of the Sharon Family Center. He serves as a trustee of the Sharon Alumni College Fund and has been a regular participant at Sharon High School's mock trial and Grove City High School's law classes.

Goodwin has practiced general law since 1984 and has been an assistant public defender since 1986. He has handled many different types of cases. In his family law practice he handles everything from divorce, custody, equitable distribution to wills and real estate and has extensive court practice where he has handled a wide variety of cases involving extensive trial work as well as appellate work that he believes will best serve him on the bench.

These are the kinds of cases which occupy a great deal of the county's time. The type of work as well as the volume and pace of the work are not for everyone. Goodwin believes his experience has demonstrated that he is well-qualified for the position. He received one of the better ratings by the Mercer County Bar Association during his 1995 campaign.

Intending to file on both the Republican and Democratic ballots, he believes the people of Mercer County expect a judge to be nonpartisan. Goodwin pledges that if elected, he will use his combination of strong family values, legal experience and leadership roles in community service and to serve with competence and integrity.