Superior Court of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia
Harrisburg
Pittsburgh
Court locations

The Superior Court of Pennsylvania is one of two Pennsylvania intermediate appellate courts, the other being the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania. (The subject matter jurisdiction of the Commonwealth Court is limited to decisions of state agencies, and certain cases where the Commonwealth is a party; the Superior Court is the appellate court of general jurisdiction.) Appeal to the Superior Court is generally of right from final decisions of the Court of Common Pleas. 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). The court is based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and sits to hear cases in Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia.

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 70. They may serve as Senior Judges though, as approved by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

Superior Court Judges

Commissioned Judges

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

Susan P. Gantman (President Judge)

August 8, 1952 in Norristown, Pennsylvania 2003 (retained in 2013) Republican 2023 August 8, 2027 West Conshohocken Private Practice (1981-2004); Law Clerk, Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas (1977-1978); J.D., Villanova University School of Law (1977); B.A./M.A., University of Pennsylvania (1974).

Kate Ford Elliott (President Judge Emeritus)

June 8, 1949 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 1989 (retained in 1999 and 2009) Democratic 2019 June 8, 2024 Pittsburgh Private Practice, Kirkpatrick & Lockhart (1988); Chief Staff Attorney, Superior Court of Pennsylvania (19821988); Administrative Assistant, Superior Court of Pennsylvania (19801982); Law Clerk, Superior Court of Pennsylvania (19781980); J.D., Duquesne University School of Law (1978); Reading Specialist, Pittsburgh Public Schools (19711978); M.S. Educ., Duquesne University (1973); B.A., University of Pittsburgh (1971).

John T. Bender (President Judge Emeritus)

November 6, 1948 in Jeannette, Pennsylvania 2001 (retained in 2011) Republican 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

July 18, 1954 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 2001 (retained in 2011) Republican 2021 July 18, 2029 Pittsburgh In-House Counsel, IT Corporation (19982001); Private Practice (19861998); J.D., University of Pittsburgh School of Law (1979); B.A., Georgetown University (1976).

Jack A. Panella

May 4, 1955 in Brooklyn, New York 2003 (retained in 2013) Democratic 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

June 5, 1953 in Flushing, New York 2007 Republican 2017 June 5, 2028 Monroeville Private Practice (20022007, 19901997); Law Clerk, United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania (19972001); J.D., Duke University School of Law, 1990; M.S.N., University of Virginia (1981); B.S.N., Temple University (1975).

Anne E. Lazarus

November 12, 1952 in Brooklyn, New York 2009 Democratic 2019 November 12, 2027 Philadelphia Judge, Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas (19912009); Private Practice, Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll LLP, (19901991); Solo Practitioner, (19801990); Law Clerk, Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas (19761990); 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

October 19, 1957 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 2009 Republican 2019 October 19, 2032 Pittsburgh Private Practice (19842000); Law Clerk, United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania (19821984); J.D., Duquesne University School of Law (1982); B.A., St. Francis College (1979).

Paula Francisco Ott

September 17, 1950 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 2009 Republican 2019 September 17, 2025 West Chester Judge, Chester County Court of Common Pleas (19922009); Private Practice, (19811992); Assistant County Solicitor, Chester County Solicitor's Office (19781981); Assistant District Attorney, Chester County District Attorney's Office (19751978); LL.M., Temple University School of Law (1981); J.D., Temple University School of Law (1975); B.A., University of Delaware (1972).

Victor P. Stabile

September 14, 1957 in New York, New York 2013 Republican 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

March 25, 1959 in [unknown] 2015 Democratic 2025 March 25, 2034 Philadelphia Judge, Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas (20072016); Deputy General Counsel, Drexel University (20002006); private practice (19972000); 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).

Hugh Geoffrey Moulton, Jr.

appointed in 2016 Democratic none - interim judge

Lillian Harris Ransom

appointed in 2016 Democratic none - interim judge

Carl A. Solano

appointed in 2016 none - interim judge

Vacant

A vacancy was created when Judge Sallie Updyke Mundy was elevated to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court by Governor Tom Wolf in June 2016.

Senior judges: Correale Stevens, John L. Musmanno, James J. Fitzgerald III, William H. Platt, Eugene B. Strassburger III, Patricia Jenkins[1]

See also

References

  1. http://www.pacourts.us/courts/superior-court/superior-court-judges

Senior Judges

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