Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania

The Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania is one of Pennsylvania's two intermediate appellate courts. The Commonwealth Court's headquarters is in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The Superior Court of Pennsylvania is the other intermediate appellate court in the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System. The jurisdiction of the nine-judge Commonwealth Court is limited to appeals from final orders of certain state agencies and certain designated cases from the Courts of Common Pleas involving public sector legal questions and government regulation. The Commonwealth Court also functions as a trial court in some civil actions by or against the Commonwealth government and cases regarding statewide elections (42 Pa.C.S. §§ 761–764).

Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania
Established1968
JurisdictionPennsylvania cases which involve decisions of governmental agencies; public sector legal questions; actions to which the Commonwealth is a party other than criminal cases; or actions to which a not-for-profit, private corporation is a party.
LocationHarrisburg (headquarters)
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
Composition methodStatewide partisan election with possible retention at term expiration. Vacancies are filled via appointment by the Governor.
Authorized byPenn. Const. Art. V § 3
42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 541-44
Appeals toSupreme Court of Pennsylvania
Appeals fromCourt of Common Pleas
Superior Court
Judge term length10 years
Number of positions9
WebsiteCommonwealth Court
President Judge
CurrentlyMary Hannah Leavitt
Since2016
Philadelphia
Harrisburg
Pittsburgh
Court locations

Article V, section 4 of the 1968 Pennsylvania Constitution created the Commonwealth Court. Acts enacted in 1970 set up the court. Judges are elected to 10-year terms, and must retire at the age of 75.

The Commonwealth Court publishes its precedential opinions in the Atlantic Reporter 3d series. From 1970 to 1995, the court maintained an official reporter, Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court Reports, volumes 1–168 (1970–1995). The Court's precedential and non-precedential ("unreported") opinions are posted on the Internet.

Appeals from Commonwealth Court decisions go to the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.

Judges
Name Born Elected Party When First Elected Retained Year of Next Retention Election Reaches Age 75 Location Prior Positions and Education

Mary Hannah Leavitt

(President Judge Emerita)

 (1947-03-17) March 17, 1947 in Cleveland, Ohio 2001 Republican 2011 2021 March 17, 2022 Harrisburg Private Practice (1987–2001); Assistant Counsel, Chief of Litigation, and Chief Counsel, Pennsylvania Department of Insurance (1978–1987); J.D., Dickinson School of Law (1978); M.A., University of Pennsylvania (1972); B.A., Connecticut College (1969).

Renée Cohn Jubelirer

 (1957-05-25) May 25, 1957 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 2001 Republican 2011 2021 May 25, 2032 State College In-House Counsel, ATX Telecommunications Services (1997–2001); Assistant Solicitor, Lehigh County (1997–1999); Deputy Solicitor, Lehigh County (1996–1997); Private Practice (1984–1996); Assistant Professor, DePaul University College of Law (1985–1987); Teaching Fellow, Stanford Law School (1983–1984); J.D., Northwestern University School of Law (1983); B.A., Pennsylvania State University (1978).

P. Kevin Brobson

(President Judge)

 (1970-11-26) November 26, 1970 in Mountoursville, Pennsylvania 2009 Republican 2019 2029 November 26, 2045 Harrisburg Private Practice (1996–2009); Law Clerk, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania (1995–1996); J.D., Widener University School of Law, Harrisburg Campus (1995); B.A., Lycoming College (1992).

Patricia A. McCullough

 (1956-11-15) November 15, 1956 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 2009 Republican 2019 2029 November 15, 2031 Pittsburgh Private Practice (2008–2009, 1991–2004); Executive Director, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Pittsburgh (2006–2007); Judge, Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas (2005–2006); Assistant General Counsel, University of Pittsburgh Office of General Counsel (1983–1991); Law Clerk, Washington County Court of Common Pleas (1981–1983); J.D., University of Pittsburgh School of Law (1981); B.A., University of Pittsburgh (1978).

Anne E. Covey

 (1959-11-04) November 4, 1959 in Wilmington, Delaware 2011 Republican First term 2021 November 4, 2034 New Hope Private Practice (1987–2011); Member, Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board (2002–2011); Law Clerk, Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania (1985–1987); Assistant Counsel, Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board (1984–1985); J.D., Widener University School of Law, Wilmington Campus (1984); B.A., University of Delaware (1981).

Michael Wojcik

 (1964-09-24) September 24, 1964 in Windber, Pennsylvania 2015 Democratic First term 2025 September 24, 2039 Pittsburgh Private Practice (2012–2016); Solicitor, Allegheny County (2004–2012); Private Practice (1989–2004); J.D., University of Pittsburgh School of Law (1989); B.A., Juniata College (1986).

Ellen H. Ceisler

 (1957-09-11) September 11, 1957 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 2017 Democratic First term 2027 September 11, 2032 Philadelphia Judge, Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas (2007–2017); Director, Special Investigations & Fraud Unit, Philadelphia City Controller's Office (2006); consultant, Philadelphia School District (2005–2006); Deputy Director/Director, Philadelphia Police Department Integrity & Accountability Office (1997–2005); special advisor to the Sheriff, Office of the Sheriff of Philadelphia (1992–1994); private practice (1990–1992); Investigative Producer, WCAU (1988–1990); Assistant District Attorney, Philadelphia County District Attorney's Office (1986–1988); J.D., Temple University School of Law (1986); B.A., Temple University (1979); A.A., Montgomery County Community College (1977).

Christine Fizzano Cannon

 (1969-10-08) October 8, 1969 in Media, Pennsylvania 2017 Republican First term 2027 October 8, 2044 Media Judge, Delaware County Court of Common Pleas (2012–2017); private practice (1994–2011); J.D., Widener University School of Law (1994); B.A., University of Arizona (1991).

Andrew Crompton

 (1968-05-07) May 7, 1968 2019 (appointed) Republican N/A N/A Mechanicsburg Various Counsel and Chief of Staff positions to Pennsylvania Senate Republican leadership (1994-2006, 2008-2019); J.D., Widener University School of Law (1993); B.A., Dickinson College (1990).
  • Bonnie Brigance Leadbetter, Senior Judge

See also
  •  Pennsylvania portal
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