Superior Court of Pennsylvania

Superior Court of Pennsylvania
Jurisdiction	Pennsylvania, United States except those cases which involve decisions of state agencies; public sector legal questions; actions to which the Commonwealth is a party; or actions to which a not-for-profit, private corporation is a party, all of which are appealed instead to the Commonwealth Court.
Location	Harrisburg (headquarters) Philadelphia Pittsburgh
Composition method	Statewide partisan election with possible retention at term expiration. Vacancies are filled via appointment by the Governor.
Authorized by	Penn. Const. Art. V § 3 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 541-44
Appeals to	Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
Appeals from	Court of Common Pleas
Judge term length	10 years
Number of positions	15
Website	Pennsylvania Courts
President Judge
Currently	Susan Peikes Gantman

Philadelphia

Harrisburg

Pittsburgh

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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 75. 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)	(1952-08-08) 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).
John T. Bender (President Judge Emeritus)	(1948-11-06) 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	(1954-07-18) July 18, 1954 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania	2001 (retained in 2011)	Republican	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	(1955-05-04) 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	(1953-06-05) June 5, 1953 in Flushing, New York	2007 (retained in 2017)	Republican	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	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	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).
Paula Francisco Ott	(1950-09-17) September 17, 1950 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania	2009	Republican	2019	September 17, 2025	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).
Victor P. Stabile	(1957-09-14) 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	(1959-03-25) March 25, 1959	2015	Democratic	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	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	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	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	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).
Vacant

Senior judges: Kate Ford Elliott (President Judge Emeritus), Correale Stevens, John L. Musmanno, William H. Platt, Eugene B. Strassburger III

A vacancy was created when President Judge Emeritus Kate Ford Elliott took senior status.

See also

•  Pennsylvania portal

References

Senior Judges

• John L. Musmanno
• Robert E. Colville
• James J. Fitzgerald, III
• William H. Platt
• Eugene B. Strassburger, III

External links

• Superior Court of Pennsylvania
• Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania
• Recent Superior Court of Pennsylvania Cases by Judge and Topic