Brian Kisielewski

Brian Kisielewski

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Democratic Party

Candidate, Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas

Elections and appointments

Next election

November 4, 2025

Education

Law

Delaware Law School of Widener University

Personal

Profession

Attorney

Contact

Campaign website

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Brian Kisielewski (Democratic Party) is running for election for judge of the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas in Pennsylvania. Kisielewski is on the ballot in the general election on November 4, 2025. Kisielewski advanced from the Democratic primary on May 20, 2025.

Kisielewski completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Brian Kisielewski earned a law degree from Delaware Law School of Widener University. Kisielewski's career experience includes working as an attorney.

Elections

2025

See also: City elections in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (2025)

General election

General election for Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas (9 seats)

The following candidates are running in the general election for Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas on November 4, 2025.

		Candidate
		Will Braveman (D)
	Submit photo	Irina Ehrlich (D)
		Lawrence M. Farnese Jr. (D)
		Kia Ghee (D)
		Sarah Jones (D)
	Submit photo	Leon King II (D)
	Submit photo	Brian Kisielewski (D)
	Submit photo	Anthony Stefanski (D)
		Deborah Watson-Stokes (D)

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	There are no incumbents in this race.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas (9 seats)

The following candidates ran in the Democratic primary for Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas on May 20, 2025.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Will Braveman	11.2	103,441
✔		Sarah Jones	11.2	103,042
✔		Deborah Watson-Stokes	11.0	100,952
✔		Kia Ghee	10.7	98,632
✔	Submit photo	Irina Ehrlich	10.7	98,458
✔		Lawrence M. Farnese Jr.	10.7	98,327
✔	Submit photo	Leon King II	10.0	92,483
✔	Submit photo	Brian Kisielewski	9.5	87,162
✔	Submit photo	Anthony Stefanski	8.2	75,539
		Taniesha Henry	6.6	61,041
		Other/Write-in votes	0.2	1,484

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 920,561
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Elliott Williams (D)
• Sherrie Cohen (D)
• Qawi Abdul-Rahman (D)
• Michael Parkinson (D)
• Mike Huff (D) (Unofficially withdrew)

Endorsements

Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.

Campaign themes

2025

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Brian Kisielewski completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Kisielewski's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I earned my J.D. from Widener University Delaware Law School in 2009 and my B.A. in Political Science from Saint Joseph's University in 2006. My legal career began with a clerkship in the Court of Common Pleas, followed by a role as a staff attorney in the PCRA & Habeas Corpus Criminal Appeals Unit in the First Judicial District. I later served as a Court Administrator within the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania’s Office of Judicial Records - Civil, where I led reforms to make the court system more accessible. In private practice, I represented tenants and debtors pro bono in municipal court proceedings. Currently, I serve as Pro Bono Counsel at Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, where I develop and manage pro bono initiatives across several states, focusing on housing security, civil rights, and supporting nonprofits. I also founded Philadelphia’s Elder Justice & Civil Resource Center, the first court-sponsored office offering limited legal representation to elderly and low-income residents in the city.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Brian’s commitment to public service has been a throughline of his career. He founded Philadelphia’s Elder Justice & Civil Resource Center—the first court-sponsored office offering limited legal representation to elderly and low-income residents. “That was my baby,” Brian says, reflecting on the desperate need he saw firsthand. The center became a lifeline for individuals navigating complex legal systems without resources or representation.
• Before launching the center, Brian managed the Civil Filing Center within the First Judicial District, where he led reforms to make the court system more user-friendly and accessible. Whether it was improving office processes, mentoring law students, or ensuring litigants got the guidance they needed, Brian built a reputation as someone who cut through obstacles to deliver real solutions. Brian began his legal career clerking in the Court of Common Pleas, where he gained invaluable experience managing courtrooms and learning how decisions shaped people’s lives. Later, as a staff attorney in the PCRA & Habeas Corpus Appeals Unit, he reviewed post-conviction petitions, learning how critical the courts are to upholding fairness and justice.
• Brian is running for Common Pleas Court Judge because he knows this court handles some of the most important cases in people’s lives—from criminal justice to civil disputes and family law. He believes everyone deserves a fair hearing, and he’s spent his career ensuring that’s exactly what they get. When he’s not working, Brian enjoys reading, music, and movies. But his greatest satisfaction comes from knowing he’s building a legacy of fairness, advocacy, and justice that his children can be proud of. Vote Brian Kisielewski for Common Pleas Court—because justice should work for everyone.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am a lifelong advocate for justice, fairness, equity and accessibility in our legal system. Over my 15+ years as an attorney, I have worked to expand access to justice for vulnerable communities—including leading pro bono efforts, representing tenants facing eviction, and founding the Elder Justice & Civil Resource Center. I am running for Judge of the Court of Common Pleas because I believe our courts must work for everyone, not just those with money or power. Too many Philadelphians face systemic barriers when trying to access justice, especially Black and brown and low-income Philadelphians. Every person who enters my courtroom will be treated with the dignity, respect, and fairness they deserve.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Throughout my career, I have been committed to ensuring the equal administration of justice for all individuals, regardless of their background or circumstances. Throughout my career, I have focused on making the legal system more accessible and equitable, particularly for vulnerable populations. By founding the Elder Justice & Civil Resource Center, I provided essential legal assistance to elderly and low-income residents, ensuring they had a fair opportunity to navigate the legal system. In my role as Pro Bono Counsel at Faegre Drinker, I have developed initiatives connecting attorneys with those in need, including individuals facing eviction and seeking criminal and civil justice. If elected, I will continue to prioritize fairness, accessibility, and respect in the courtroom, ensuring that every person receives impartial treatment and that justice is administered without bias.​

How would you describe your legal philosophy?

I am a lifelong advocate for justice, fairness, equity and accessibility in our legal system. Over my 15+ years as an attorney, I have worked to expand access to justice for vulnerable communities—including leading pro bono efforts, representing tenants facing eviction, and founding the Elder Justice & Civil Resource Center, Philadelphia’s first court-sponsored office offering limited legal representation for elderly and low-income residents.

I am running for Judge of the Court of Common Pleas because I believe our courts must work for everyone, not just those with money or power. Too many Philadelphians face systemic barriers when trying to access justice, especially Black and brown and low-income Philadelphians. very person who enters my courtroom will be treated with the dignity, respect, and fairness they deserve.

To reduce prison and jail overcrowding, our courts must stop relying on carceral solutions for nonviolent offenses and technical violations. We need diversion programs, expanded access to mental health and addiction treatment, and a greater emphasis on rehabilitation over punishment. As a judge, I will prioritize these approaches, ensuring that justice doesn’t come at the cost of community well-being.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Elected Officials

PA Dems Chairman State Senator Sharif Street (SD-03)
State Senator Nikil Saval (SD-01)
State Senator Vincent Hughes (SD-07)
State Representative Danilo Burgos (HD-197)
Organizations

Wards 2, 5, 8, 9, 15, 24
The Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters
IBEW Local 98
Laborers District Council
AFSCME District Council 33
AFSCME District Council 47
IUPAT District Council 21

National Organization of Women

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See also

2025 Elections

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Candidate

Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas

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Footnotes

Pennsylvania courts

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Federal courts:

Third Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Middle District of Pennsylvania, Western District of Pennsylvania • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Middle District of Pennsylvania, Western District of Pennsylvania

State courts:

Supreme Court of Pennsylvania • Pennsylvania Superior Court • Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court • Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas • Pennsylvania Magisterial Districts

State resources:

Courts in Pennsylvania • Pennsylvania judicial elections • Judicial selection in Pennsylvania