Mr. Zawisky brings more than 20 years of criminal justice experience to the Pennsylvania Parole Board. Prior to his appointment, he served as Chief Deputy District Attorney for Dauphin County, where he led major felony prosecutions, including approximately 100 jury trials and 26 homicide trials. He also oversaw homicide investigations, supervised narcotics and violent-crime initiatives, and advised law enforcement agencies on criminal law, procedure, evidence, and search and seizure.
His career spans both sides of the courtroom and the policy arena. He has practiced as a criminal defense attorney and served as a Staff Attorney for the Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee, analyzing and drafting criminal-law legislation. For nearly two decades, he also taught constitutional law, criminal procedure, and courtroom technique to cadets and municipal officers as an instructor at the Harrisburg Area Community College Police Academy.
Mr. Zawisky holds a Juris Doctor from Temple University Beasley School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts in History, cum laude, from Bloomsburg University. He is a frequent presenter of continuing legal education programs for the Pennsylvania District Attorney's Association and has trained law enforcement and victim-advocacy organizations statewide.
Mr. Zawisky was nominated by Governor Shapiro and confirmed by the Senate to the Pennsylvania Parole Board on July 12, 2026.