Meet Judge Matt Rudzki

The Honorable Matthew V. Rudzki graduated from Washington & Jefferson College in 2008, majoring in history and German. Following his undergraduate studies, he taught English to high school students in Austria on a Fulbright Fellowship before earning his law degree from the Duquesne University Kline School of Law in 2013.

Before taking the bench, Judge Rudzki gained valuable experience interning at the Allegheny County District Attorney's Office and serving on the Allegheny County Board of Arbitrators. Additionally, he built his legal career in private practice and earned recognition as a Pennsylvania Rising Star by SuperLawyers on multiple occasions. 

Judge Rudzki has a strong commitment to public service, having previously served as a council member and mayor for his hometown, Sharpsburg Borough. While a member of council, Judge Rudzki introduced legislation to recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day and to create the Sharpsburg Environmental Advisory Council and Sharpsburg Historical Commission. During his time as mayor, Judge Rudzki also introduced a series of animal-protection laws in collaboration with HUMANE Action Pittsburgh, which Council passed unanimously. Judge Rudzki also spearheaded the first Etna-Sharpsburg Earth Day Challenge and Etna-Sharpsburg National Night Out, helped lead Sharpsburg through a series of floods and the pandemic, and collaborated with other millennial mayors to advocate for social justice reform. 

In November 2021, Judge Rudzki was elected as a magisterial district judge for the six Fox Chapel Area communities, commencing his judicial duties in January 2022. During his time on the bench, Judge Rudzki has introduced innovative initiatives such as night court for juvenile cases, making him one of the two judges in the County to provide this option at the time. Furthermore, Judge Rudzki collaborated with Animal Friends to introduce therapy dogs in court, making him the sole judge in the County to implement this beneficial program. 

Judge Rudzki, recognizing the detrimental impact of cash bail and in addressing the disparity caused by the use of it, used the least amount of cash bail of any district judge—commissioned or senior—in Allegheny County since taking the bench. For reference, records compiled by the Abolitionist Law Center indicate between May 2022 and June 2023, Judge Rudzki only used $1,320.00 over 104 arraignments at our central court, lower by factors of ten as compared to the next lowest district judge. However, always having an eye towards public safety, Judge Rudzki holds defendants without bond when there is a risk of either danger to the community or non-appearance in court.

To better serve the community, Judge Rudzki regularly organizes workshops on expungement, fine and fee management, harm reduction, landlord-tenant issues, and license plate replacement. Additionally, he provides opportunities for local youth groups to visit his court and hosts summer interns.

Judge Rudzki is currently a board member of CONNECT, the District Association of the Fox Chapel Area, and the Sharpsburg Historical Commission. He previously served on the Sharpsburg Neighborhood Organization.

Judge Rudzki is the recipient of the Duquesne University Mind, Heart, and Spirit Award (2013), the Governor’s Award for Local Government Excellence (2018), the HUMANE Action Pittsburgh Legislator of the Year Award (2018), and the Washington & Jefferson College Outstanding Young Alumni Award (2023).