Hon. Joseph J. Musto served as a judge in a court of common pleas. Judge Musto has mediated approximately 900 cases over a 15-year span. He has served as an administrative law judge and has served as a neutral or sole arbitrator in 125 cases. He brings over 40 years of legal experience, was named a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer, and received the “AV” rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
Judicial Experience
Mediated about 900 cases over a 15-year span
Neutral or sole arbitrator in 125 cases
Keystone Hearings and Appeals, LLC
Carlisle and Pittson, PA
July 2010 – Present
Administrative Law Judge, Arbitrator, and Mediator
May 2010
Mediator: mediated Hazleton toxic tort cases resulting in settlements
Pennsylvania Medicaid program
July 2010 – June 2011
Administrative Law Judge
Federal Medicare and Pennsylvania Medicaid programs
1997 – 2007
Administrative Law Judge and Hearing Officer
Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas
1993 – 1994; and October 2008 – January 2010
Trial Judge
Legal Experience
Tried cases to jury verdict in both civil and criminal, in the courts of Lackawanna, Lehigh, Luzerne, Monroe, Schuylkill, and Wyoming Counties and the Federal District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.
Argued cases in the Pennsylvania Supreme, Superior, and Commonwealth Courts and the Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
Law Offices of Joseph J. Musto
2007 – 2008
Principal
Musto & Saunders
1997 – 2007
Principal
Hourigan, Klugar & Quinn
1994 – 1997
Principal
Griffith, Aponick and Musto
1975 – 1989
Partner: merger with Rosenn, Jenkins & Greenwald and became partner
Bedford, Waller, Griffith, Darling and Mitchell
1969 – 1975
Associate and Partner
District Attorney’s Office
Philadelphia County, PA
1968 – 1969
Assistant District Attorney
Other Experience
Pittston Area School District
Solicitor
Borough of Duryea
Solicitor
Borough of Yatesville
Solicitor
Luzerne County
Assistant Solicitor
Education
Dickinson School of Law
Carlisle, PA
J.D., 1968
King’s College
Wilkes-Barre, PA
B.A., 1965
Honors: cum laude
Licensure/Certifications
- Pennsylvania Bar
Admitted to the Pennsylvania Supreme, Superior, and Commonwealth Courts, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania
Memberships
- Pennsylvania Bar Association
Appointed by the President of Association to co-chair a committee studying the recently adopted Evidence Code
- Luzerne County Bar Association
- Federal Bar Association
Member and former President of the Central Pennsylvania Chapter
- Civil Justice Reform Act Advisory Committee
Appointed to study and make recommendations for the expeditious handling of civil cases in the Federal District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania
- American Board of Trial Advocates
Member Advocate
Additional Qualifications
- Named as Pennsylvania Super Lawyer by the Philadelphia Magazine
- Received “AV” rating from Martindale-Hubbell