Stamm-Philipps announces candidacy for Niagara County Family Court

Press Release

Wheatfield Town Justice Angela Stamm-Philipps has announced her candidacy for Niagara County Family Court judge. This is a newly created position that will be in addition to the two Family Court judges currently serving Niagara County.

Stamm-Philipps brings a wealth of experience to the Family Court judge position. She was elected as Wheatfield town justice in 2018 and reelected in 2022. In addition to her experience as a judge in Wheatfield Town Court, Stamm-Philipps also works in Family Court where she sits as a support magistrate and decides cases involving child support, violations of child support orders, and paternity cases. She previously held the position of the chief clerk of the Niagara County Surrogate’s Court, as well as prosecutor for the Town of Wheatfield, assistant Niagara County Social Services attorney, and maintained a general law practice. In her general law practice, Stamm-Philipps was a court-appointed attorney for the child, as well as representing individuals in family court.

“I’ve spent my 26-year legal career helping families,” Stamm-Philipps said. “From my work helping children navigate the court system, and as attorney for the Niagara County Department of Social Services prosecuting abuse and neglect cases, my focus has been on helping families when they need it the most.

“My experience makes me uniquely qualified to take on this role. I have advocated for numerous children struggling with turmoil at home. I have advocated for those escaping abusive relationships who need a fresh start. I have represented families in adoptions, who want to give a child a loving home. I know the importance of a fair and impartial judicial system, and I will use my broad scope of experience to ensure that all voices are heard.”

Stamm-Philipps is a graduate of SUNY Buffalo and earned her Juris Doctor degree from Western Michigan University Cooley Law School in 1998. She began her legal career in 1998 by opening her general law practice where she represented clients in a variety of matters including family court and in matrimonial cases. She worked as an attorney for the Niagara County Department of Social Services for seven years, prosecuting abuse and neglect cases, child support matters, as well as fair hearings for indicated CPS reports.

She joined the Unified Court System in Niagara County Surrogate’s Court in 2013, first as the deputy chief clerk, and later became the chief clerk. She now works as a support magistrate in Family Court, hearing and deciding cases involving child support, violation of child support orders, and the establishment of paternity.

Stamm-Philipps lives in Wheatfield with her husband of 24 years, John, and their two children. A lifelong resident of Niagara County, she graduated from Starpoint Central School. She is the vice president of the Niagara County Magistrate’s Association, former president of the Lockport Bar Association, former adjunct professor at Daemen University, and has been a panel speaker for the numerous continuing legal education classes for the Niagara and Erie bar associations. 

The office of Family Court judge will be voted on at the election to be held Nov. 5, 2024.