2025 Judicial Candidate Rick L. Huffsmith - Third to Respond

2025 Judicial Candidate Rick L. Huffsmith was the last to reply to our Independent Gazette Inquiry

Rick L. Huffsmith's Bio

Wyoming County native Richard “Rick” Huffsmith, a 1974 graduate of Lackawanna Trail High School and 1976 graduate of Keystone Junior College, earned his Juris Doctor in 1982 from Temple University School of Law in Philadelphia.

Over the past 42 years, Rick has represented a countless number of clients in a wide range of legal arenas. After graduating from Temple, he and his wife, Lisa, moved to Dallas, Texas. For the next twelve years, he worked for a number of law firms, including Bush Craddock Huffsmith & Gilhooly, P.C, in which he was a partner and founding member. His practice primarily consisted of handling litigation cases for Fortune 100 companies.
In the fall of 1994, Rick was asked to join Jewelcor Management & Consulting, Inc. in Wilkes-Barre as Vice President and General Counsel. Rick and Lisa wanted their children, Kathryn and Stephen, to grow up in the same wholesome environment of their native Wyoming County so they chose Tunkhannock as their home. Rick’s role at Jewelcor included such legal responsibilities as preparing Securities and Exchange Commission filings, conducting proxy contests and creating a host of commercial leases, securities agreements and investment and transactional documents. In addition, he represented Jewelcor in complex litigation and commercial matters while overseeing the company’s human resource department.

In 2013, Rick left Jewelcor and opened a law practice in downtown Tunkhannock, offering legal services to residents and businesses. He has provided legal counsel for civil and criminal matters, including but not limited to cases involving oil and gas leases, victims’ rights, DUIs, assault and terroristic threat charges and family law. Rick spent many hours helping local landowners negotiate oil and gas leases and agreements for pipelines, rights-of-way and pad sites/road access. He was a member of the Wyoming County Landowners’ Group. Over the past decade, Rick has assisted clients with landowner disputes, including providing representation in class-action lawsuits against gas and oil companies, as well as aiding residents in lending and real estate transactions.​

Since his return home in 1994, Rick served the community as a member of the Tunkhannock Area School District School Board and board member and advisor for the Wyoming County Chamber of Commerce. He has also returned as a board member of the Wyoming County United Way and is a member of the Wyoming County Rotary Club. In addition, Rick offers pro bono services to community members in need, including local veterans.

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The letter from the Independent Gazette with Paul Litwin's Responses:
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Dear Judicial Candidates,
Legislation is being introduced to allow the recording of civil and criminal court proceedings in Pennsylvania, beginning with a memorandum from State Representative Jamie L. Flick. Supporters argue that cameras in the courtroom would promote transparency, foster public understanding, and help deter unethical behavior. Importantly, this proposal envisions recordings functioning as a kind of “black box” system—archived securely and accessed only when questions, complaints, or incidents arise. The intent is not to sensationalize proceedings, but to create an objective, verifiable record that protects the integrity of the judicial process and builds trust among all who participate in or are affected by it. As this proposal moves forward, many voters would appreciate knowing your position and how you believe transparency and fairness can be responsibly balanced in our courts.

Question 1: Promoting Trust Through Transparency
Question 2: Audio and Video Recording in the Courtroom
Question 3: Recording Judicial Chambers

Rick L. Huffsmith
"Judges can only follow existing laws. They are required to be impartial and cannot have opinions,” Richard L. Huffsmith, Candidate for Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for Wyoming and Sullivan counties.


Thank you for your time and service to the people of Pennsylvania.
Respectfully, Lou Jasikoff and Mike Lacey