TEDxArcadiaUniversity Speaker:
Judge Carolyn Tornetta Carlucco
Elected to the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas in November of 2009, Judge Carluccio sat on the Family Court Bench for two years and is presently on the Civil Court Bench hearing medical malpractice, personal injury and contract cases. Previous to taking the Bench, Judge Carluccio enjoyed a diverse and successful legal career, primarily in the public sector. She began her career as a federal prosecutor in United State Attorney’s Office for 9 years where she prosecuted large scale drug dealers, white-collar fraud, and health care crimes. She created the first federal asset forfeiture unit in the State of Delaware which seized millions of dollars, real estate, and personal property and returned it to state and local authorities. After leaving the United States Attorneys office, she became the first woman Chief Public Defender for Montgomery County. Judge Carluccio also served as the Chief Deputy Solicitor for Montgomery County, where she supervised contract negotiations, real estate transactions, personnel, and farmland and open space. At the same time she was appointed unanimously by the County Commissioners to be Acting Director of Human Resources for 3700 county employees. As solicitor, she negotiated and completed the purchase of a $27 million asset which saved Montgomery County one million dollars in broker and legal fees and she fought to keep the Barnes Foundation art gallery in our county. As the result of the Barnes litigation, she was featured in the documentary film “The Art of the Steal” which received National acclaim.
Judge Carluccio has conducted extensive training for state, local and federal law enforcement personnel and attorneys in the areas of federal asset forfeiture, drug interdiction and prosecution, money laundering and white-collar crime. She has continued her training in the family court arena, having served on CLE panels for Social Media/Networking, the child interview, equitable distribution, and wire-taping. She spearheaded and teaches on a program, that places a Judge and attorney in every 6th grade Norristown area school classroom as part of the civics education program sponsored by the Montgomery Bar Association.
Judge Carluccio has been in leadership positions in several community and charity endeavors. Most notably, last year she was the 1st Judge and 3rd woman to be President of the 2100 member Montgomery Bar Association. Other civic involvement includes: Montgomery County Community College Foundation Board of Directors (Officer), Triangle Club (where she became the first woman director), Columbus Monument Committee (President), Pennsylvania Bar Association (Vice Chair, Government Lawyers Committee and member of the House of Delegates), Americans of Italian Heritage Council (Former Solicitor), Willow Grove Air Force Base Land Reuse Authority (Director), and Montgomery County Campaign Contribution Commission (Chair). She presently serves on the President’s Council of Gwynedd Mercy College and of the Academy in Manayunk and she presently Chairs the Community Outreach Committee of the Montgomery Bar Association.
What inspires me?
People, young people in particular. When I see anyone get excited about an issue, a project, an idea—I feel alive, especially when it is outside the box.
How creativity and passion in leadership relate to me?
"Because it has never been done before" has never stopped me. Hearing those words have inspired me and motivated me to prove it can and should be done.
