“The work of Second Generation and similar immigrant-focused organizations not only promote voices of immigrants by advocating for their rights and ensuring that their needs are addressed in policies but also, celebrate and preserve cultural heritage of immigrant communities. Every voice and every story is important!” - Irina Ehrlich
endorsed for JUDGE, COURT OF common pleas — PHILADELPHIA, PA
Irina is an experienced attorney, a mother, and a political refugee from Ukraine
Irina Ehrlich has practiced law for almost twenty five years, including both as a defense attorney and as a prosecutor. Due to her varied legal experience with both sides of the courtroom, Irina is able to view the court system through both lenses and understand the issues and concerns of victims, defendants, attorneys, witnesses, and other participants in the court system.
In 1994, Irina came to the United States at the age of twenty-one as a political refugee from the former Soviet Union (current day Ukraine). She is fluent in both Ukrainian and Russian. Irina decided to become an attorney because she understands that the legal system and the proper application of the law is key to protecting our freedoms. As someone who grew up in a totalitarian country with all its horrors and the government’s intrusion into every aspect of a person’s life, Irina firmly grasps the critical role the judicial system serves in our democracy — as such, she has enormous appreciation for due process, the rule of law, and the importance of basic human rights.
After graduating from Temple University Beasley School of Law in 2000, Irina began her legal career as an Assistant District Attorney in the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office. Over the course of thirteen years, Irina prosecuted a variety of complex criminal matters, including attempted murder, drug trafficking and illegal gun possession cases. During her tenure, Irina was promoted to serve in the Investigation Division and was later designated as a Special Assistant United States Attorney.
In 2013, Irina left the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office to open her private practice that focuses on criminal defense, immigration and guardianships. As a defense attorney, Irina represents clients in both state and federal court. Irina is often appointed by Philadelphia state court judges and federal judges in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania to represent indigent individuals who have been charged with criminal offenses. Irina has tried over fifty jury trials to verdict.
Irina’s own immigrant experience provides her with a unique perspective on the legal system and a personal understanding of the challenges that many of her immigration clients face in this country. Irina has successfully represented clients from all over the world in complex asylum and deportation matters in Immigration Court.
Known for her strong ethics, and genuine concern for the well-being of Philadelphia’s most vulnerable citizens, Irina is also often appointed by the Philadelphia Orphans’ Court to represent incapacitated individuals in guardianship proceedings. Whether her client is a ninety-year-old woman with dementia or a thirty-year-old man with an intellectual disability, Irina insists that her clients’ voices are heard in court and that their rights to due process are protected.
As a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, Irina would support:
Access to courts for all without regard to economic status or race, culture, gender or sexual identity. She has promised to train her staff to be sensitive to these issues and cultural backgrounds of the participants. Interpreters' services will be available for all.
Access to mental health programs for all who needs such services. She intends to work with all individuals and organizations in the community to ensure that people receive the proper treatment and that criminal justice system works constructively.
Working with the former incarcerated individuals, reentry programs, and community leaders and organizations to support successful integration back into the community.
Between Irina’s legal experience, her background, and her work ethic, we strongly believe that she will be a fair and compassionate judge who will treat everyone with respect and be committed to ensuring equal access to courts for all.
Visit irinaehrlichforjudge.com for more info.