It is imperative that we have judges who can serve as a buffer against attempts to to deprive residents of their privileges and rights. Natasha Taylor-Smith is a product of the Philadelphia Public School system, graduating from the 248th class of Central High School. At Hampton, Natasha participated in Army R.O.T.C. and graduated summa cm laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science.
When she returned to the area, Natasha began working in Human Resources at the Prudential AARP Operation in Ft. Washington, PA and started at Temple University School of Law as a part-time evening student. After completing her first year of law school, Natasha left Prudential to switch to the full time program. As a law student, Natasha was awarded the Barrister's Award and the award for Outstanding Oral Advocacy, in addition to completing internships with the Temple Family Law clinic and the Defender Association of Philadelphia. After graduating, Natasha worked as a staff attorney at the Defender Association representing indigent clients in criminal matters. She successfully litigated almost 100 jury trials and hundreds of misdemeanor and juvenile matters. Natasha then began her own firm focusing on those areas of the law that most intimately effect our everyday lives including criminal, family and personal injury law. Currently, she works for Montgomery County representing most of the Human Services Cabinet, the Transportation Authority, the Farm Board, Assets and Infrastructure and District Courts. Natasha is active in the community. She is a member of Salem Baptist Church in Jenkintown, where she teaches Sunday School and is on the Board of Ministries, which coordinates activities within the church. She also sits on the Board of Directors of Genesis II, a drug and alcohol facility for mothers with their children. She is the immediate past president of the PTO at Cedarbrook Middle School and is involved with Cheltenham Little League. Natasha's philosophy on the courts is that they should reflect the community they serve. It's important for judges to have experienced life in a way that helps them understand the human condition because one of the most important tools a judge possesses is empathy. Furthermore, it is important for judges to have a wide breadth of legal knowledge. People who appear before the bench need to be confident that the judge who is hearing their matter has some core competency in the area of the law being addressed. Finally, judges should have a good disposition. Appearing in court can be a jarring experience for even the lawyers, let alone members of community with little legal knowledge. Judges who are testy or with very little patience can make the experience more unpleasant than necessary and hinder the fact finding process.
