John J. Ottaviano, who served as the City of Lockport's corporation counsel for a record 25 years, announced his candidacy for Niagara County judge Tuesday.
Ottaviano, a Republican who is now first assistant county attorney, will face off against Michael E. Benedict, a Lockport Democrat who announced his candidacy last week.
“My skill set of critical thinking, creative reasoning and problem solving across a multitude of legal arenas makes me best and uniquely prepared to discharge these important duties," Ottaviano said.
Early in his legal career, which began in 1986, Ottaviano worked in the District Attorney's Office and also served as a Family Court prosecutor for four years.
Ottaviano became city attorney in 1993 and held the post for five mayors, until 2018. But he said his proudest accomplishment was the decade he spent as founder and president of the not-for-profit corporation that raised $15 million to build Cornerstone Arena, Lockport's indoor ice rink.
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Ottaviano graduated from Niagara University and Western Michigan University Law School.
