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).
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 The Court's precedential and non-precedential ("unreported") opinions are posted on the Internet.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[edit]
| Name | Born | Elected | Party When First Elected | Year of Next Retention Election | Reaches Age 75 | Location | Prior Positions and Education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Mary Hannah Leavitt (President Judge) |
March 17, 1947 in Cleveland, Ohio | 2001 (retained in 2011) | Republican | 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 |
May 25, 1957 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | 2001 (retained in 2011) | Republican | 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). |
|
Robert "Robin" Simpson |
October 17, 1951 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania | 2001 (retained in 2011) | Republican | 2021 | October 17, 2026 | Nazareth | Judge, Northampton County Court of Common Pleas (1989–2001); Private Practice (1979–1989); Law Clerk, Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania (1976–1978); J.D., Dickinson School of Law (1976); B.A., Dickinson College (1973). |
|
P. Kevin Brobson |
November 26, 1970 in Mountoursville, Pennsylvania | 2009 | Republican | 2019 | 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 |
November 15, 1956 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | 2009 | Republican | 2019 | 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 |
November 4, 1959 in Wilmington, Delaware | 2011 | Republican | 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 |
September 24, 1964 in Windber, Pennsylvania | 2015 | Democratic | 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 |
September 11, 1957 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 2017 | Democratic | 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 |
October 8, 1969 in Media, Pennsylvania | 2017 | Republican | 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). |
- Dan R. Pellegrini, Senior Judge
- James Gardner Colins, Senior Judge
- Bonnie Brigance Leadbetter, Senior Judge
See also[edit]
External links[edit]
State intermediate appellate courts | ||
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Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming do not have intermediate appellate courts. | ||
