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Meet Joseph Lesniak

Joseph Lesniak has practiced law since 2003. Most of this time, Joe worked as an assistant district attorney for the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office. Over his career, Joe rose to the level of chief prosecutor of the Special Victims and Domestic Violence Division where he prosecuted hundreds of serious crimes.

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Joseph Lesniak

About Joseph Lesniak

Joseph Lesniak earned his Bachelor's degree, cum laude, from Villanova University in 2000. He went on to receive his Juris Doctorate from the Villanova University School of Law in 2003. After law school, Mr. Lesniak served in the Delaware County District Attorney's Office for over nine years serving a majority of that time in the Special Victims Domestic Violence Division prosecuting hundreds of sexual assaults, child abuse, and domestic violence cases. While in that division he served as the Chief and lead prosecutor for the Pennsylvania Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce (ICAC), under a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice. The Taskforce investigates and prosecutes Internet exploitation and child pornography cases. Mr. Lesniak helped to create and teach the policies and techniques utilized across the Commonwealth which has led to many successful prosecutions of child exploiters both state and federally.

While in the District Attorney's Office, Mr. Lesniak was responsible for the creation and presentation of many community outreach programs on important topics such as Protection From Abuse Orders, Internet Safety, Prosecuting Kidnapping and Computer Based Crimes, Bullying, Cyber-bullying, School Safety and Custody Issues. He has presented both locally and nationally for such organizations as the National District Attorney's Association, U.S. Department of Justice, and the National Center for the Prosecution of Child Abuse.

Mr. Lesniak also served as the Nether Providence Township Solicitor for over two years. In that position, he drafted numerous ordinances, represented the Township on several complex zoning issues, and developed sound policies. He was integral in drafting a new comprehensive Civil Service Ordinance that brought the Township in compliance with state mandates while ensuring fairness in the process of selecting competent police officers.

Mr. Lesniak is an adjunct professor of Political Science at Pennsylvania State University, and served as the chairman of the Delaware County Drug and Alcohol Advisory Board and on the Board of the Delaware County Bar Association.

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Recent Professional Development

  • Crimes Against Children Conference, Dallas, TX – August 8-11, 2011
  • 2011 National Strategy Conference on Combating Child Exploitation, San Jose, CA – May 17-20, 2011
  • Investigating & Prosecuting Possession of Child/Adolescent Sexual Abuse Images – May 2, 2011
  • Faculty Development – Train the Trainer, National District Attorneys Association, Alexandria, VA – January 10-12, 2011
  • National Center for Prosecution of Child Abuse – Advanced Investigation and Prosecution of Child Abuse and Exploitation, Washington, DC – August 23-27, 2010
  • Unsafe Havens II (Advanced Prosecutors course for the prosecution of online exploitation of children), National Advocacy Center, Columbia, SC – March 1-5, 2010
  • Department of Justice Drug Education for Youth Annual Training Summit, Nashville, TN – February 9-13, 2009
  • Protecting Children Online for Prosecutors, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Alexandria VA – April 30 – May 3, 2007
  • National Conference on Domestic Violence, National College of District Attorneys, San Diego, CA – Oct. 20-24, 2008
  • National Conference on Domestic Violence, National College of District Attorneys, Orlando, FL – Oct. 22-26, 2007
  • National Conference on Domestic Violence, National College of District Attorneys, Reno, NV – Oct. 23-27, 2005

Recent Presentations

  1. Mandatory reporting and HIPPA. An in-depth presentation on the types of child abuse, crimes associated with these types of abuse and obligations of professionals and volunteers under the mandatory reporting laws.
    • Strayer University, Springfield, PA – November 21, 2012
    • Crozer-Chester Medical Center, Upland PA – May, 2012
  2. Cyberbullying and Internet Safety Programs. Provides a basic overview of the problem and scope of cyber-bullying in the United States as well as the negative impact it has on communities and schools. Also, provides practical tips on how to stay safe on the internet including: privacy settings, spotting peculiar behavior and who to contact when there is a problem. This presentation has been modified for different audiences including elementary, middle and high school aged students, parents, teachers and school administrators.
    • Penncrest High School, Media, PA – March 13, 2012 & March 15, 2012
    • Springton Lake Middle School, Media, PA. Parent/ Teacher Program – October 6, 2011
    • Career Day – October 25, 2011
    • The Benchmark School, Media, PA – April 18, 2011
    • Lansdowne Baptist Church – August 6, 2011
    • Drexel Hill Middle School, Drexel Hill, PA – November 8, 2010.
    • Saint Rose of Lima School, Ridley Park, PA – October 23, 2010
    • Radnor High School, Radnor, PA – October 12, 2011
    • Strath Haven High School, Wallingford, PA
    • Law Day 2009, 2010, 2011 & 2012
  3. Cyberbulling and Internet Safety Student Symposium. Country Day School of the Sacred Heart, Bryn Mawr, PA – October 4, 2011. Presented on Cyber-bullying and Internet Safety Issues to high school students who then provided feedback. The presentation was videotaped and is being used in classrooms in conjunction with a curriculum developed by experts from Saint Joseph’s University.
  4. Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Training. Presentation on the importance of a thorough and consistent examination of sexual assault victims including: chain of custody, collection, important information and practical tips on testifying.
    • Classroom Presentation, Acadia University, King of Prussia, PA March 6, 2012
    • Courtroom Practicum, Delaware County Court House, Media, PA May 18, 2012
  5. Cyberbullying Summit. Neumann University – April 12, 2011. Presented to students, teachers and administrators on the dangers of online bullying and exploitation. The presentation was streamed live over the internet and recorded and has been used for numerous school and community organization training.
  6. Pennsylvania Internet Crimes Against Children Trainings. Presentation on new case law, trends and prosecution techniques in the area of online child exploitation. Presented to prosecutors, victim advocates and law enforcement.
    • Lackawanna County – November, 2011
    • Allegheny County – April, 2011
    • Dauphin County – April, 2010
    • Delaware County – October, 2010 & October, 2009
  7. Federal Bureau of Investigation Child Abduction Presentation, Offered guidance on the practical and legal aspects of Protection From Abuse and Custody Orders and how they directly impact primary, secondary and higher education schools. The presentation focused on approaches and policies schools should utilize to keep their student body and faculty safe and protected. Mr. Lesniak also discussed problems with stalking incidents and discussed how schools can better recognize, document and combat this type of crime.
    • Delaware County Community College – December 15, 2010
    • Delaware County Safe School Summit, Villanova University
    • 2010 – Internet Safety & Use Policies – October 26, 2010
    • 2008 – Protection From Abuse Orders & Child Custody – November, 2008
  8. Symposium on Suicide Prevention. Springfield Country Club – November 18, 2010. Served on a panel discussing the use of technology and the internet in suicide attempts and completions.
  9. Dangers of Bullying Presentation. Archbishop John Carroll High School - February 19, 2007. A three hour comprehensive presentation on the nature and types of bullying and how to recognize the signs of bullying and practical steps to preventing it in the school community.
  10. Special Victims Prosecution Presentation. The PJA School – June 6, 2006

Political Activities

  • Nether Providence GOP
  • Committeeman 4th Ward, 2nd Precinct – 2005-2012
  • Vice Chairman – 2008-2012
  • Campaign Manager: Nathan Much for 4th Ward Commissioner
  • Gina Gorbey Zarko for 7th Ward Commissioner
  • Delaware County Young Republicans
  • Member – 1996-2010
  • Vice Chairman – 2006-2008
  • Executive Campaign Committee for G. Michael Green
  • Delaware County District Attorney – 2007
  • Delaware County Court of Common Pleas Judge – 2011
  • Lawyers Committee Chairman for Gregory Mallon, Candidate for Judge of the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas – 2007
  • Campaign Coordinator for Edwin Erickson, Candidate for Pennsylvania 26th Senatorial District
  • Special Election Spring 2001
  • Coordinated volunteers in making phone calls and going door-to-door. Also, organized campaign events and campaign literature. Senator Erickson won this highly contested campaign.
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Bar Admission

  • Pennsylvania, 2003

Published Works

  • Pennsylvania, 2003

Honors

  • Federal Bureau of Investigation Award for Exceptional Service in the Public Interest
  • Nicholas Vadino, Jr. Award for Outstanding Commitment to the Bar by a Young Lawyer, Delaware County Bar Association
  • High School Mock Trial Competition County Coordinator

Past Positions

  • Pennsylvania State University, Adjunct Professor of Political Science, 2006 to 2013
  • Office of the District Attorney Media, PA , Assistant District Attorney, 2003 to 2012
  • Office of the District Attorney Media, PA , Chief Prosecutor, 2003 to 2012
  • Office of the District Attorney Media, PA , Community Outreach, 2003 to 2012
  • Neumann University, Center for Community Leadership Development and Entrepreneurship, 2011 to 2012
  • Law Offices of Peter Levin, Esquire Philadelphia, PA, Internship, 2001 to 2003
  • Office of the District Attorney, Internship, 2001 to 2003
  • Law Offices of Joseph Lesniak, LLC, Solo practice focusing in the areas of: criminal defense, civil litigation & municipal law, 2012

Classes & Seminars

  • Mandatory reporting and HIPPA , Strayer University, Springfield, PA , 2012
  • Cyberbullying and Internet Safety Programs, Penncrest High School, Media, PA , 2012
  • Cyberbullying and Internet Safety Student Symposium, Sacred Heart, Bryn Mawr, PA , 10/04/2011
  • Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Training, Acadia University, King of Prussia, PA , 03/06/2012
  • Cyberbullying Summit, Neumann University , 04/12/2012
  • Pennsylvania Internet Crimes Against Children Trainings, 2009 to 2012
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation Child Abduction Presentation, Delaware County , 12/15/2010
  • Delaware County Safe School Summit, Villanova University, 2008 to 2010
  • Dangers of Bullying Presentation, Archbishop John Carroll High School , 02/19/2007
  • Special Victims Prosecution Presentation, The PJA School , 06/06/2006

Pro-Bono Activities

  • Mandatory reporting and HIPPA , Strayer University, Springfield, PA , 2012
  • Cyberbullying and Internet Safety Programs, Penncrest High School, Media, PA , 2012
  • Cyberbullying and Internet Safety Student Symposium, Sacred Heart, Bryn Mawr, PA , 10/04/2011
  • Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Training, Acadia University, King of Prussia, PA , 03/06/2012
  • Cyberbullying Summit, Neumann University , 04/12/2012
  • Pennsylvania Internet Crimes Against Children Trainings, 2009 to 2012
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation Child Abduction Presentation, Delaware County , 12/15/2010
  • Delaware County Safe School Summit, Villanova University, 2008 to 2010
  • Dangers of Bullying Presentation, Archbishop John Carroll High School , 02/19/2007
  • Special Victims Prosecution Presentation, The PJA School , 06/06/2006

Professional Associations

  • Guy G. DeFuria Inn of Courts, 2012 to Present
  • Philadelphia Bar Association, 2012 to Present
  • Delaware County Bar Association, 2003 to Present
  • Rotary International – Swarthmore Club, 2012 to Present
  • Crimes Against Children Conference, Dallas, TX, 2011 to 2011
  • Delaware County Child Death Review Team , Member, 2005 to 2012
  • Delaware County Drug and Alcohol Advisory Board, Member, 1998 to 2006
  • Delaware County Drug and Alcohol Advisory Board, Chairman, 2007 to 2012
  • Delaware County Bar Association, Board of Directors , 2010 to 2011
  • Delaware County Bar Association, President Young Lawyers Section, 2009 to 2009
  • High School Mock Trial Competition County , Coordinator, 2004 to Present
  • Law Day Committee , Member , 2004 to 2012
  • Upper Darby Center for Family Safety , Board of Directors, 2009 to Present
  • Drug Education for Youth Camp , Camp Director , 2008 to 09/2009
  • Board of Directors Helen Kate Furness Library, Wallingford, PA, Member , 2009 to 2009
  • Chairman Strategic Plan Committee, Vice President, 2010 to 2010
  • Strategic Plan Committee , President , 2011 to 2012
  • Nether Providence Parks Commission, 2002 to 2006
  • Nether Providence Parks Commission , Secretary, 2005 to 2006
  • 2011 National Strategy Conference on Combating Child Exploitation, San Jose, CA – May 17-20, 2011
  • Investigating & Prosecuting Possession of Child/Adolescent Sexual Abuse Images – May 2, 2011
  • Faculty Development – Train the Trainer, National District Attorneys Association, Alexandria, VA – January 10-12, 2011
  • National Center for Prosecution of Child Abuse – Advanced Investigation and Prosecution of Child Abuse and Exploitation, Washington, DC – August 23-27, 2010
  • Unsafe Havens II (Advanced Prosecutors course for the prosecution of online exploitation of children), National Advocacy Center, Columbia, SC – March 1-5, 2010
  • Protecting Children Online for Prosecutors, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Alexandria VA – April 30 – May 3, 2007
  • National Conference on Domestic Violence, National College of District Attorneys, San Diego, CA – Oct. 20-24, 2008
  • National Conference on Domestic Violence, National College of District Attorneys, Orlando, FL – Oct. 22-26, 2007
  • National Conference on Domestic Violence, National College of District Attorneys, Reno, NV – Oct. 23-27, 2005
  • Nether Providence GOP
  • Committeeman 4th Ward, 2nd Precinct, 2005 to 2012
  • Nathan Much for 4th Ward Commissioner, Campaign Manager
  • Gina Gorbey Zarko for 7th Ward Commissioner
  • Delaware County Young Republicans
  • Executive Campaign Committee for G. Michael Green
  • Delaware County District Attorney – 2007
  • Delaware County Court of Common Pleas Judge – 2011
  • Lawyers Committee Chairman for Gregory Mallon, Candidate for Judge of the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas – 2007
  • Campaign Coordinator for Edwin Erickson, Candidate for Pennsylvania 26th Senatorial District
  • Coordinated volunteers in making phone calls and going door-to-door. Also, organized campaign events and campaign literature. Senator Erickson won this highly contested campaign.