Mr. DeHaas is the second of seven children born to Dr. Ernest P. DeHaas, II and Ladonna M. DeHaas. He and his wife, Kathleen, a pharmacist, have one child, Abby, who is a senior communications major and pre-law student at the Ohio State University.

A Carmichaels native whose family’s roots in Fayette County go back more than three generations, DeHaas earned his law degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, and has spent his entire career practicing law in Fayette County. He completed an intensive course for trial lawyers given by the National Institute of Trial Advocacy and has experience in many areas of law, including criminal cases, accident cases, zoning, real estate, wills and estates, divorce, custody and support cases, contracts, school law, municipal law, labor relations and employment law. DeHaas has represented school districts, municipal authorities, industrial development authorities, townships and boroughs in Fayette and Greene Counties. In addition to being admitted to practice in all Pennsylvania courts, he is also admitted to practice before, and has handled cases in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania and the Supreme Court of the United States.

Attorney DeHaas is a member of the American Bar Association, the Pennsylvania Bar Association, and the Fayette County Bar Association. He has served as a director and president of the Fayette County Bar Association.

Mr. DeHaas served for six years in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard and received an honorable discharge.

Active in the local community, Mr. DeHaas has held a variety of leadership roles with the Fayette Chamber of Business and Industry, Uniontown Rotary Club, Fayette County Development Council (predecessor of Fay-Penn Economic Development Council), Greater Uniontown Industrial Fund (now Fayette Industrial Fund), Uniontown Area YMCA, and Uniontown Downtown Business District Authority. In addition, he served for more than 15 years as leader of the Explorer Scouting Post sponsored by the Fayette County Bar Association, coached elementary school girls’ basketball, and serves as lector at his church, St. John the Evangelist in Uniontown.

"In the coming election, the voters of Fayette County will be called upon to select a Judge for the Court of Common Pleas for Fayette County to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of President Judge Conrad B. Capuzzi, who served this County for over 30 years.

The selection of a Judge should be based on the experience, integrity, and character of the candidate and not on any political party affiliation. I am a Democrat and this is why I unequivocally support Ernest P. DeHaas for this position.

I have known Mr. DeHaas for many years. He came to the law firm of Coldren and Adams fresh out of law school. I worked with him until I became a Judge. As a Judge, I observed Mr. DeHaas when he appeared before me in Court and I was impressed with his ability. When I retired from the Bench, I renewed my legal association with Mr. DeHaas.

I am confident that the members of the Bar who know Mr. DeHaas as I do, recognize him as an outstanding lawyer and a man of unblemished character and integrity.

I intend to vote for Ernest P. DeHaas and urge you to do the same. I know he will serve you well."

- Fred C. Adams, Esquire
Retired Judge of the
Court of Common Pleas
for Fayette County