For decades, Judge Maureen Skerda has been a steady presence in the 37th Judicial District.

The former area lawyer was elected as the first female judge in the district in 2006 and became president judge in the district in 2010. Though she is not seeking retention, Skerda said in a news release she will serve out the rest of her term before retiring.

Skerda has been an institution in the legal community here even before being elected as a judge in the district, practicing law at Northwest Legal Services, serving as an assistant district attorney and a court hearing officer. Many dealt with Skerda as a Master in Divorce and Equitable Distribution, support issues, juvenile dependency cases and delinquency matters.

Judges play an important role in the community. They have to be fair in order to make sure that a defendant’s constitutional rights to a fair and speedy trial are protected while also being fair to make sure the rights of victims are protected. It’s a role Skerda has filled well over the past 18 years.

We have no doubt we will find another qualified judge to fill Skerda’s position. It will be tougher to fill Skerda’s role in the community. She has served on a number of boards including the MH/MR, ATOD, and CYS advisory boards, Economic Opportunity Council, Warren General Hospital’s Hospice Ethics Committee, and the Struthers Library Theatre.

The gavel Skerda leaves behind will be a heavy one for her replacement.