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. (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.
Contents |
Superior Court Judges
Commissioned Judges
| Name | Born | Elected | Party When First Elected | Year of Next Retention Election | Reaches Age 70 | Location | Prior Positions and Education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Correale F. Stevens (President Judge) |
) October 6, 1946 in Hazleton, Pennsylvania | 1997 (retained in 2007) | Republican | None - final term | October 6, 2016 | Hazleton | Judge, Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas (1991–1998); District Attorney, Luzerne County (1988–1991); Representative, Pennsylvania House of Representatives (1980–1988); J.D., Dickinson School of Law (1972); A.B., Pennsylvania State University (1969). |
|
Kate Ford Elliott (President Judge Emeritus) |
) June 8, 1949 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | 1989 (retained in 1999 and 2009) | Democratic | None - final term | June 8, 2019 | Pittsburgh | Private Practice, Kirkpatrick & Lockhart (1988); Chief Staff Attorney, Superior Court of Pennsylvania (1982–1988); Administrative Assistant, Superior Court of Pennsylvania (1980–1982); Law Clerk, Superior Court of Pennsylvania (1978–1980); J.D., Duquesne University School of Law (1978); Reading Specialist, Pittsburgh Public Schools (1971–1978); M.S. Educ., Duquesne University (1973); B.A., University of Pittsburgh (1971). |
|
John T. Bender |
) November 6, 1948 in Jeannette, Pennsylvania | 2001 (retained in 2011) | Republican | None - final term | November 6, 2018 | 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). |
| ) July 18, 1954 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | 2001 (retained in 2011) | Republican | 2021 | July 18, 2024 | 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). | |
| ) August 8, 1952 in Norristown, Pennsylvania | 2003 | Republican | 2013 | August 8, 2022 | 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). | |
| ) May 4, 1955 in Brooklyn, New York | 2003 | Democratic | 2013 | May 4, 2025 | 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). | |
|
Christine L. Donohue |
) December 24, 1952 in Coaldale, Pennsylvania | 2007 | Democratic | 2017 | December 24, 2022 | Pittsburgh | Private Practice, (1980–2007); J.D., Duquesne University School of Law (1980); B.A., East Stroudsburg University (1974). |
|
Jacqueline O. Shogan |
) June 5, 1953 in Flushing, New York | 2007 | Republican | 2017 | June 5, 2023 | 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). |
|
Cheryl Lynn Allen |
) December 16, 1947 in Homestead, Pennsylvania | 2007 | Republican | None - final term | December 16, 2017 | Pittsburgh | Associate Professor, Point Park University (2001-2006); Judge, Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas (1990-2004); Attorney, Allegheny County Law Department; Attorney, Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission; Attorney, Neighborhood Legal Services; J.D., University of Pittsburgh School of Law (1975); B.S., Pennsylvania State University (1969). |
|
Anne E. Lazarus |
) November 12, 1952 in Brooklyn, New York | 2009 | Democratic | 2019 | November 12, 2022 | 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). |
| ) June 29, 1962 in Elmira, New York | 2009 | Republican | 2019 | June 29, 2032 | Wellsboro | Private Practice (1988-2009); Volunteer Public Defender, Public Defender's Office of Tioga County; Law Clerk, Tioga County Court of Common Pleas (1987-1988); J.D., University of Pittsburgh School of Law (1987); B.A., Washington and Jefferson College (1984). | |
|
Judith Ference Olson |
) October 19, 1957 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | 2009 | Republican | 2019 | October 19, 2027 | 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). |
|
Paula Francisco Ott |
) September 17, 1950 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | 2009 | Republican | 2019 | September 17, 2020 | West Chester | Judge, Chester County Court of Common Pleas (1992–2009); Private Practice, (1981–1992); Assistant County Solicitor, Chester County Solicitor's Office (1978–1981); Assistant District Attorney, Chester County District Attorney's Office (1975–1978); LL.M., Temple University School of Law, 1981; J.D., Temple University School of Law (1975); B.A., University of Delaware (1972). |
|
David N. Wecht |
) May 20, 1962 in Unknown | 2011 | Democratic | 2021 | May 20, 2032 | Pittsburgh | Judge, Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas (2003–2012); Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court, Allegheny County; Law Clerk, United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, Judge George MacKinnon; J.D., Yale Law School, 1987; B.A., Yale University (1984). |
One seat on the Superior Court became vacant when Judge John L. Musmanno took senior status in late December 2012/early January 2013.
Senior Judges
- John L. Musmanno
- Robert E. Colville
- James J. Fitzgerald, III
- William H. Platt
- Eugene B. Strassburger, III