Superior Court of Pennsylvania

The Superior Court of Pennsylvania is one of two Pennsylvania intermediate appellate courts (the other being the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania). It is based in Harrisburg.

Superior Court of Pennsylvania
JurisdictionPennsylvania, United States except those 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, all of which are appealed instead to the Commonwealth Court.
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
Judge term length10 years
Number of positions15
WebsitePennsylvania Courts
President Judge
CurrentlyJack A. Panella

Jurisdiction

The Superior Court hears appeals in criminal and most civil cases from the Courts of Common Pleas and on matters involving children and families.[1] Cases are usually heard by panels of three judges sitting in Philadelphia, Harrisburg, or Pittsburgh, but may also be heard en banc by nine judges.[1] Although different panels of three judges may sit to hear appeals, there is only one Superior Court (that is, Pennsylvania is not divided into appellate territories).

Superior Court Judges

Superior Court judges are elected in statewide elections. The term of a Superior Court Judge is 10 years. After serving 10 years, judges may hold their seats if they win a retention vote. Voters have the right to retain or reject (vote out of office) Superior Court judges in Pennsylvania. Superior Court judges must retire from active service at the age of 75. They may serve as Senior Judges though, as approved by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

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

John T. Bender

(President Judge Emeritus)

 (1948-11-06) November 6, 1948 in Jeannette, Pennsylvania 2001 Republican 2011 2021 November 6, 2023 Pittsburgh Magisterial District Judge, Allegheny County (1997–2001); Private Practice; Assistant District Attorney, Allegheny County District Attorney's Office; Law Clerk, Supreme Court of Pennsylvania; J.D., Duquesne University School of Law (1976); B.A., Pennsylvania State University (1970).

Mary Jane Bowes

 (1954-07-18) July 18, 1954 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 2001 Republican 2011 2021 July 18, 2029 Pittsburgh In-House Counsel, IT Corporation (1998–2001); Private Practice (1986–1998); J.D., University of Pittsburgh School of Law (1979); B.A., Georgetown University (1976).

Jack A. Panella (President Judge)

 (1955-05-04) May 4, 1955 in Brooklyn, New York 2003 Democratic 2013 2023 May 4, 2030 Bethlehem Judge, Northampton County Court of Common Pleas (1991–2003); Private Practice (1982–1991); County Solicitor, Northampton County (1987–1991); Assistant County Solicitor, Northampton County (1982–1987); Law Clerk, Northampton County Court of Common Pleas (1980–1982); J.D., Columbus School of Law, The Catholic University of America (1980); B.S., St. John's University (1977).

Jacqueline O. Shogan

 (1953-06-05) June 5, 1953 in Flushing, New York 2007 Republican 2017 2027 June 5, 2028 Monroeville Private Practice (2002–2007, 1990–1997); Law Clerk, United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania (1997–2001); J.D., Duke University School of Law, 1990; M.S.N., University of Virginia (1981); B.S.N., Temple University (1975).

Anne E. Lazarus

 (1952-11-12) November 12, 1952 in Brooklyn, New York 2009 Democratic 2019 Final term November 12, 2027 Philadelphia Judge, Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas (1991–2009); Private Practice, Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll LLP, (1990–1991); Solo Practitioner, (1980–1990); Law Clerk, Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas (1976–1990); LL.M., Temple University School of Law, 1986; J.D., Temple University School of Law (1976); B.A., State University of New York at Stony Brook (1972).

Judith Ference Olson

 (1957-10-19) October 19, 1957 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 2009 Republican 2019 2029 October 19, 2032 Pittsburgh Private Practice (1984–2000); Law Clerk, United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania (1982–1984); J.D., Duquesne University School of Law (1982); B.A., St. Francis College (1979).

Victor P. Stabile

 (1957-09-14) September 14, 1957 in New York, New York 2013 Republican First term 2023 September 14, 2032 Harrisburg Private Practice (1987–2013); Deputy Attorney General (Torts Litigation Unit), Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (1984–1987); Law Clerk, Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania (1982–1984); J.D., Dickinson School of Law (1982); B.A., State University of New York at Stony Brook (1979).

Alice Dubow

 (1959-03-25) March 25, 1959 2015 Democratic First term 2025 March 25, 2034 Philadelphia Judge, Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas (2007–2016); Deputy General Counsel, Drexel University (2000–2006); private practice (1997–2000); Assistant City Solicitor, Philadelphia County Office of the City Solicitor (1992–1997); private practice (1985–1992); Law Clerk, Bucks County Court of Common Pleas (1984); LL.M., Temple University School of Law (1991); J.D., University of Pennsylvania Law School (1984); B.A., University of Pennsylvania (1981).

Deborah A. Kunselman

 (1967-09-24) September 24, 1967 in Wiesbaden, Germany 2017 Democratic First term 2027 September 24, 2042 Beaver Judge, Beaver County Court of Common Pleas (2006–2017); County Solicitor, Beaver County (1998–2005); private practice (1996–2005); J.D., Notre Dame Law School (1992); B.A., Pennsylvania State University (1988).

Maria McLaughlin

 (1966-05-27) May 27, 1966 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 2017 Democratic First term 2027 May 27, 2041 Philadelphia Judge, Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas (2012–2017); Assistant District Attorney, Philadelphia County District Attorney's Office (1992–2011); J.D., Widener University School of Law (1992); B.A., Pennsylvania State University (1988).

Mary P. Murray

 (1970-07-06) July 6, 1970 2017 Republican First term 2027 July 6, 2045 Pittsburgh Magisterial District Judge, Allegheny County (2004-2017); private practice (2001-2017); Law Clerk, Beaver County Court of Common Pleas (1998-2001); private practice (1996-1998); J.D., Duquesne University School of Law (1996); M.B.A., Duquesne University (1995); B.A./B.S., Duquesne University (1992).

Carolyn H. Nichols

 (1955-09-04) September 4, 1955 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 2017 Democratic First term 2027 September 4, 2030 Philadelphia Judge, Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas (2012–2017); private practice (2008–2011); General Counsel, Philadelphia Parking Authority (1999–2005); Law Clerk, Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas (1997); private practice (1996–1999); Assistant Legal Counsel, Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation (1995–1996); Legislative Assistant, Philadelphia City Council (1994–1995); Assistant City Solicitor, Philadelphia County Office of the City Solicitor (1990–1994); M.B.A., Eastern University (2002); LL.M., Temple University School of Law (1994); J.D., Temple University School of Law (1985); B.A., Temple University (1978).

Daniel McCaffery

 (1964-07-20) July 20, 1964 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 2019 Democratic First term 2029 July 20, 2039 Philadelphia Judge, Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas (2014–2019); private practice (1997-2013); Assistant District Attorney, Philadelphia County District Attorney's Office (1991–1996); J.D., Temple University School of Law (1991); B.A., Temple University (1988).

Megan McCarthy King

 (1969-12-08) December 8, 1969 in Wilmington, Delaware 2019 Republican First term 2029 December 8, 2044 Berwyn Assistant District Attorney, Chester County District Attorney's Office (2015-2019); Assistant District Attorney, Lancaster County District Attorney's Office (1996-1999, 2012-2015); Adjunct Professor, Cabrini College (2008-2012); Law Clerk, Supreme Court of Pennsylvania (1999-2001); Attorney, Pennsylvania House of Representatives Republican Caucus (1995-1996); M.A.Ed., Rosemont College (2010); J.D., University of Pittsburgh School of Law (1995); B.A., Vanderbilt University (1992).

Vacant

[note 1]
  1. A vacancy was created when President Judge Emeritus Susan P. Gantman took senior status in 2020.

Senior Judges

See also
  •  Pennsylvania portal

References
  1. "Learn". Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania. Retrieved 2020-08-31.
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