Risa Vetri Ferman

Risa Vetri Ferman (born April 5, 1965) is the judge of the Court of Common Pleas in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, and was formerly District Attorney of the same county.

Before winning the election as the county's prosecutor, Ferman worked for 15 years in the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office.

She graduated from Abington Senior High School in 1983 and attended the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, graduating in 1987.

After enrolling in the evening program at Widener University School of Law in 1990, she interned for the United States Attorney's Office in 1991.

Ferman graduated from Widener University School of Law in 1992 with a Juris Doctor and was admitted to the bar in Pennsylvania and New Jersey in 1992.

In 1993, Ferman began working as a prosecutor for the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office.

Ferman began work as a prosecutor in 1993 and rose to Captain of Sex Crime and Child Abuse.

She has specialized in the prosecution of homicide, child abuse, sexual assault and domestic violence cases.

In 2002, Ferman was selected to serve as First Assistant District Attorney, second in command to then District Attorney Bruce Castor Jr.

In this position, she supervised the county detective bureau and oversaw all homicide cases.

She was admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania in 2006, and the United States Supreme Court in 2000.

In November 2007, she became the first woman elected District Attorney in Montgomery County.

In November 2007, Ferman ran for District Attorney of Montgomery County.

In 2007, Ferman ran for the District Attorneys seat against Democrat Peter C. Amuso.

Ferman won the election and received the highest vote count of any candidate on the ballot in 2007.

She was elected in November 2007 as the first female District Attorney of Montgomery County and assumed office in January 2008.

In 2008, Ferman established an Elder Abuse Unit and Task Force to support seniors targeted by criminals.

Ferman supervises the Elder Abuse Task Force, a multifaceted force of law enforcement agencies as well as the county's Aging and Adult Services.

In 2009, Ferman co-founded the Mission Kids Child Advocacy Center in Norristown, Pennsylvania.

Mission Kids is a 501(c)(3) corporation, founded through a collaborative effort with the Police Chiefs of Association of Montgomery County, and the Montgomery County Office of Children and Youth.

Ferman is a member of the Mission Kids Executive Board (as Past President).

Ferman is a co-founder of the Montgomery County Child Advocacy Program (MCAP) as a board member.

MCAP is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides free legal representation to children who are victims of abuse in Montgomery County.

Ferman introduced the School Safety Committee as a primary source for County schools regarding safety.

The committee consists of a variety of individual units such as school superintendents, public safety officials and law enforcement personnel.

Ferman is an avid supporter of the Montgomery County Youth Aid Panel Program (YAP), a restorative justice initiative for juveniles in the criminal justice system.

Ferman created the Teen Driving Safety Program, which includes a Teen Driving Safety Documentary, through a partnership with the WPVI Channel 6 ABC and a corresponding Teen Driving Safety Curriculum.

In 2011, Ferman won re-election and began her second term as District Attorney in January 2012.

She is the daughter of Barbara and Sal Vetri, and sister of restaurateur Marc Vetri and television director and producer Adam Vetri.

Risa Vetri Ferman was born in Philadelphia and raised in Abington Township in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.

She is the daughter of Barbara and Sal Vetri.

In her early life, Ferman worked for her father's jewelry store, Crown Jewels and Dazzles, which operated 35 storefronts and mall kiosks across Philadelphia, Delaware and New Jersey for 30 years.

In 2012, Ferman convened Montgomery County's first Cyber Bullying and Bullying Task Force.

Ferman established the Elder Justice Roundtable in 2013 after further development with the Elder Abuse Unit and Task Force.

Come 2013, Ferman, along with Montgomery County Commission Chair Josh Shapiro, former Montgomery County Sheriff Eileen Behr, Montgomery County Schools and Intermediate Unit, and the Police Chiefs Association of Montgomery County, announced the creation and release of the first Cyber Bullying/Bullying Task Force Manual in the country.

In April 2013, Ferman established the Montgomery County Prescription Drug Disposal Program which places safe receptacles for the public to safely dispose of their old or unwanted prescription drugs.

Ferman and Montgomery County Chief Public Defender Keir Bradford-Grey coordinated their efforts to protect youths in Montgomery County through a partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters in Southeastern, Pennsylvania to create the "Back on Track program. In 2014, Ferman and Montgomery County Sheriff Russell Bono brought the Teen Suicide Prevention Program to Montgomery County in collaboration with John Halligan, founder of Ryan’s Story.

Ferman established the Detectives Violent Crime Unit to assist in investigations regarding brutal crime.

She encourages the use of the District Attorney’s Office DUI and Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program for the first time, for non-violent offenders to highlight rehabilitative services.

In addition, Ferman supports diversionary programs within Montgomery County such as the Veteran’s Treatment Court, Drug Treatment Court and Behavioral Health Court.