Magisterial District Judge Candidate: William Evans

William Evans is challenging incumbent Robert Wyda in the race to become the magisterial district judge of Upper St. Clair and Bethel Park.

After 20 years of legal experience with law firms and Pittsburgh-based businesses, Evans said he’s reached a point in his career to give back to the community.

“I know I am the right person for the job,” Evans said.

Evans graduated for the Duquesne University School of Law-Evening Division in 1989. All through law school, Evans worked, giving him a varied background, he said.

Evans and his wife, Celia, moved to Upper St. Clair in 1991. They have two children who both attend Penn State University.

“We raised our family in Upper St. Clair and we love the neighborhood,” Evans said.

Celia Evans grew up in Bethel Park and they decided to return to the area because of the community feel, the safety of the neighborhoods and the wonderful school system.

Evans said he’s always been a strong believer of giving back to the community. He’s always been part of the community, both scholastically and athletically, and he encourages his children to volunteer as well.

“The more you can do with the community, the better,” Evans said.

Now that Evans’ children are adults and he has his own private law practice, he said his family, friends and neighbors strongly encouraged him to take the chance to sit on the bench.

“I’m a good listener, a fair person and a quick problem solver,” Evans said.

Evans said he is able to take complex issues and boil them down to the simplest fashion.

“I know it’s not an easy job. There’s a lot of emotion and responsibility,” Evans said. “In order to be responsible, you have to listen to both sides. Often, you’re going to have to come to terms somewhere in the middle. I’m willing to give everybody a fair shake.”

Evans opened his solo practice in 2009. He said they focus on assisting individuals and small businesses with legal issues that arise in everyday life.