Lebanon Co. DA David Arnold Takes Over as PDAA President

HARRISBURG, PA – Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association (PDAA) today announced that Lebanon County District Attorney David Arnold has assumed the office of president, following Risa Vetri Ferman’s installation as Judge of Montgomery County. Arnold has been serving the association as vice president since July 2015. He will serve as president for the remainder of the business year and is expected to stand for election as president of the association for the 2016-2017 term. As a result in today’s shift in leadership, the PDAA officers are:

President:  Hon. David Arnold, Lebanon County District Attorney
Vice President:  Hon. Seth Williams, Philadelphia County District Attorney
Secretary-Treasurer:  Hon. John Adams, Berks County District Attorney

“All of us at PDAA wish the best for Judge Vetri Ferman as she moves from the DA’s office to become a county judge,” said Arnold. “The PDAA will continue its legacy of leadership on criminal justice issues, ethical standards, and ensuring that law enforcement has the tools it needs to protect our citizens. As president of PDAA, I look forward to working with my fellow prosecutors throughout the state on the many pressing issues we face in the legislature and our communities.”

Arnold is currently serving his third term as the elected District Attorney of Lebanon County.  He was first elected to office in 2006.  Prior to his election, Arnold served an assistant district attorney in the Lebanon County District Attorney’s Office, as well as four years in private practice handling civil litigation. Mr. Arnold is a past member of the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Institute Board of Directors. Mr. Arnold earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Kutztown University in 1993, and his law degree from Widener University School of Law in 1996.

Throughout its history, PDAA has been well known for its leadership in matters of public safety.  Most recently the association successfully led efforts to: reform Pennsylvania’s child protection laws; establish historic, first-time state funding for Children’s Advocacy Centers; create a statewide prescription drug return and disposal program to help fight back against prescription drug abuse; and administer the distribution of life-saving naloxone to municipal police departments.

About the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association: PDAA is comprised of approximately 1,000 members and is charged with providing uniformity and efficiency in the discharge of duties and functions of Pennsylvania’s 67 district attorneys and their assistants.  Since it was founded in 1912, the association has dutifully sponsored extensive training programs and reported legal and legislative developments of importance to Pennsylvania prosecutors.  In addition, the association is often called upon by legislative leaders, at the state and national level, to address public policy issues and efforts, which impact the prosecution of criminal cases, victim rights and public safety.