Joseph Lesniak earned his Bachelor's degree, cum laude, from Villanova University in 2000. He went onto 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 lead 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 the Pennsylvania State University, served as the chairman of the Delaware County Drug and Alcohol Advisory Board and on the Board of the Delaware County Bar Association.
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
- 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
- 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
- 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.
- 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
- Cyberbulling 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.
- 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
- Federal Bureau of Investigation Child Abduction Presentation, 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
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Published Works
- Delaware County Elder Law Handbook
- Pennsylvania Internet Crimes Against Children Legal Updates, 2008-2012
Classes/Seminars
- Mandatory reporting and HIPPA, Strayer University, Springfield, PA
- Cyberbullying and Internet Safety Programs, Penncrest High School, Media, PA
- Cyberbulling and Internet Safety Student Symposium, Sacred Heart, Bryn Mawr, PA
- Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Training, Acadia University, King of Prussia, PA
- Cyberbulling Summit, Neumann University
- Pennsylvania Internet Crimes Against Children Trainings, 2009 - 2012
- Federal Bureau of Investigation Child Abduction Presentation, Delaware County
- Delaware County Safe School Summit, Villanova University, 2008 - 2010
- Symposium on Suicide Prevention, Springfield Country Club
- Dangers of Bullying Presentation, Archbishop John Carroll High School
- Special Victims Prosecution Presentation, The PJA School
Honors and Awards
- Federal Bureau of Investigation Award for Exceptional Service in the Public Interest, 2010
- Nicholas Vadino, Jr. Award for Outstanding Commitment to the Bar by a Young Lawyer, Delaware County Bar Association, 2011
- High School Mock Trial Competition County Coordinator, 2004 - 2011
Professional Associations and Memberships
- Guy G. DeFuria Inn of Courts, 2012 - Present
- Philadelphia Bar Association, 2012 - Present
- Delaware County Bar Association, 2003 - Present
- Rotary International – Swarthmore Club, 2012 - Present
- Crimes Against Children Conference, Dallas, TX, 2011
- Delaware County Child Death Review Team, Member, 2005 - 2012
- Delaware County Drug and Alcohol Advisory Board, Member, 1998 - 2006
- Delaware County Drug and Alcohol Advisory Board, Chairman, 2007 - 2012
- Delaware County Bar Association, Board of Directors, 2010 - 2011
- Delaware County Bar Association, President Young Lawyers Section, 2009
- High School Mock Trial Competition County, Coordinator, 2004 - Present
- Law Day Committee, Member, 2004 - 2012
- Upper Darby Center for Family Safety, Board of Directors, 2009 - Present
- Drug Education for Youth Camp, Camp Director, 2008 - September 13, 2009
- Board of Directors Helen Kate Furness Library, Wallingford, PA, Member, 2009
- Chairman Strategic Plan Committee, Vice President, 2010
- Strategic Plan Committee, President, 2011 - 2012
- Nether Providence Parks Commission, 2002 - 2006
- Nether Providence Parks Commission, Secretary, 2005 - 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 - 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.
Past Employment Positions
- Pennsylvania State University, Adjunct Professor of Political Science, 2006 - 2013
- Office of the District Attorney Media, PA, Assistant District Attorney, 2003 - 2012
- Office of the District Attorney Media, PA, Chief Prosecutor, 2003 - 2012
- Office of the District Attorney Media, PA, Community Outreach, 2003 - 2012
- Neumann University, Center for Community Leadership Development and Entrepreneurship, 2011 - 2012
- Law Offices of Peter Levin, Esquire Philadelphia, PA, Internship, 2001 - 2003
- Office of the District Attorney, Internship, 2001 - 2003
- Law Offices of Joseph Lesniak, LLC, Solo practice focusing in the areas of: criminal defense, civil litigation & municipal law, 2012 - Present
