Stephen Zappala has been Allegheny County District Attorney since 1998. Now in his fifth term, and uncontested in the last four elections, he supervises more than 100 lawyers practicing daily in 16 criminal courtrooms and more than 40 Magisterial District Judicial offices across Allegheny County, while also appearing before the Pennsylvania Superior and Supreme Courts. He also oversees investigators who gather evidence, reviews the actions of law enforcement officers to ensure they are following the laws they are sworn to uphold, and runs the secret grand jury process. In the past 18 years, under his leadership the District Attorney’s office has secured more than 300,000 convictions.

In 1979, Steve earned his undergraduate degree in political science from the University of Pittsburgh and in 1984 his law degree from Duquesne University School of Law. His career in private practice spanned 17 years, joining the law firm of Brucker, Zappala Schneider & Porter as a litigator where he practiced a broad range of civil, municipal and criminal law.

As District Attorney, Stephen Zappala has been a leading reformer and innovator, embracing advances in forensic science; creating dedicated prosecution units focusing on such crimes as child abuse, domestic violence, auto theft, insurance fraud and elder abuse; and assigning prosecutors who specialize in working with veterans and animal abuse cases. He has stood up to corporations, fought public corruption, held police and investigators to the highest standards of accountability and, by his example, has set a tone for integrity and professionalism second to none.

Deeply committed to his community, Steve has given his time to serving on the boards of non‐profit community organizations and events including Animal Friends, Art for AIDS, Cribs for Kids, the Center for Victims of Violence and Crime, the Catholic Youth Association and more.

Steve and his wife, Mary McVay Zappala, live in Fox Chapel, Allegheny County, with their four sons Steve, Sam, Mike and Joe, along with their beloved dog, Bolt.