Colleen McIntyre Osborne Runs for Philadelphia Municipal Court

Candidate: Colleen McIntyre Osborne

Court: Philadelphia Municipal Court

Party: Democrat

Philadelphia Bar Association rating: Recommended

Ballot position: 26

The following has been edited lightly for length and style.

The Legal Intelligencer: Tell us about your background, where you went to law school, what firms you have practiced at, and areas of law you focus on.

Colleen McIntyre Osborne:

Georgetown University, August 2002 – December 2005, B.A., English Drexel University, August 2006 – May 2009, J.D. Temple University, August 2011 – May 2012, LL.M., Trial Advocacy

Kent McBride, P.C. September 2009 – January 2010 1617 JFK Boulevard, Suite 1140 Philadelphia, PA 19103.

Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, January 2010 – October 2013 2 E Airy St, Norristown, PA 19401

Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, October 2013 – September 2022 3 S. Penn Square, Philadelphia, PA 19107

School District of Philadelphia, September 2022 – present 440 N. Broad Street Philadelphia, PA 19130

U.S. Army Reserve, April 2014 – present Fort Dix, NJ 08640

In the fall of 2009, I briefly worked as an insurance defense attorney for Kent McBride P.C. I then worked as a prosecutor for close to 13 years, where I mainly focused on crimes against women and children as a trial attorney. While I was a prosecutor, I joined the U.S. Army Reserve JAG Corps, where I served as a defense attorney. I was also one of the first lawyers in the U.S. Army Reserve to serve as special victim counsel, representing victims (as opposed to the government) in sexual assault proceedings. In September 2022, I became an investigative officer with the School District of Philadelphia investigating allegations of harassment and discrimination based on protected class.

“Colleen Osborne is a member of the U.S. Army Reserve. Use of her military rank, job titles, and photographs in uniform does not imply endorsement by the Department of the Army or the Department of Defense.”

The Legal: What is one major thing about your career experience that most qualifies you for this position, and why?

Osborne: I am the only candidate for Municipal Court that has both prosecutorial and defense experience. Because of this, I am uniquely qualified to give both sides a fair shake. I am also the only candidate for Municipal Court that is a veteran.

The Legal: What is the main reason Pennsylvania voters should pick you?

I have the experience, the compassion, and the courage do to the right thing for the right reason on the bench.

The Legal: What will be your approach to moving matters efficiently through the case management system?

Osborne: As someone who has been on both sides, I know that a prompt resolution is important to both a complainant and the accused/respondent. I will lead my courtroom by example, by being prepared, working hard, and always striving to resolve cases. When I look to courtrooms I want to emulate for their efficiency, it is the judge that sets the tone—not the attorneys or staff. I know how frustrating it can be on both sides when the judge does not want to work, and how nice it is when the judge does want to work. Therefore, I promise to show up, lead by example, and set the right tone for the day—everyday.

The Legal: What would you say to voters regarding your plans to ensure the equal administration of justice for all people?

Osborne: I think it is important to realize that while theoretically everyone has equal access to the court system, in practice that could not be further from the truth. I always go back to the analogy “everyone may have a pair of shoes, but not everyone has a pair of shoes that fit.” In order to ensure equal administration of justice for all people, a judge needs to listen to the all the facts, and apply the law fairly. In doing so, it is important to have empathy for individuals and to listen to their story of how they got there. Between transportation, child care, ability to take off work, access to advocacy, and navigating the system, it is obvious that not everyone comes to court with “shoes that fit.” I promise to have patience and empathy for everyone who enters my courtroom by making sure they know their rights, know which form they are filling out, having staff trained on explaining how individuals can apply for pro bono attorneys, and most importantly—being kind.

I also plan to have a staff that reflect the diversity in the city. Seeing someone who looks like you in the courtroom promotes faith in the system. Everyone just wants to be treated fairly—no matter the outcome. Representation in the courtroom is important to participants’ satisfaction in the system, and ultimately whether they believe they were treated fairly.

The Legal: Where can voters go for more information about you?

Osborne: osborneforjudge.com Instagram: osborneforjudge Facebook: Osborne For Judge