ARCHIVE OF ALL CANDIDATES EVALUATED BY THE COMMISSION

Judge Robert J. Colville, Allegheny County
Rating: Highly Recommended

The Candidate has served since 2000 as a judge on the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas in the family and civil divisions. During that time, he also served as the toxic substance case supervising judge, developing collaborative solutions to manage and expedite a 4,000 case backlog while maintaining a full civil division docket caseload. He has served as president of the Pennsylvania Conference of State Trial Judges and has been active in the state and county bar associations. He teaches college courses on the Rule of Law and serves as a lecturer at law schools and professional associations. Colleagues and lawyers consistently praise his work ethic and judicial temperament as well as his congeniality. The commission believes his proven record of performance and efficiency qualifies him to serve with distinction on the Superior Court and highly recommends his candidacy.

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Judge Paul P. Panepinto, Philadelphia County
Rating: Highly Recommended

The Candidate has a breadth and depth of legal knowledge and experience garnered from his service as a judge on the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia since 1990. He is held in high regard by his colleagues and lawyers. The Candidate has demonstrated excellence and innovation in court administration, complex litigation matters and implementation of programs to combat truancy and violence, and he has implemented procedures for better collection of child support through both enforcement and employment opportunities. His legal writings are clear and well-reasoned. The Candidate�s service on the Court of Judicial Discipline inspired his interest in restoring public trust. Based on his experience and demonstrated competence and efficiency, the commission highly recommends this Candidate for Superior Court.

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Judge Paula A. Patrick, Philadelphia County
Rating: Recommended

The Candidate was a solo practitioner for almost 10 years prior to her election as a judge on the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas in November 2003. Her judicial duties have been primarily in Juvenile Court handling delinquency and dependency cases. For the past year, she served as Philadelphia�s Gun Court judge. Her high volume courtroom is well served by her high energy personality. She is a hard worker, well organized and efficient in managing her caseload. Her judicial peers and lawyers who appear before her agree that the Candidate adapted quickly to being a judge. She is viewed as being knowledgeable about the law, fair to all parties and committed to assuring equal justice to all. She is active in her community. The commission recommends the Candidate to serve as a judge of the Superior Court.

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David E. Robbins, Delaware County
Rating: Recommended

The Candidate has served as a judicial clerk for several common pleas judges in Delaware County since graduating from law school in 1981. At the same time, he has maintained a general practice representing clients in both civil and criminal matters. His recent trial and appellate experience is limited, but he is highly regarded by his peers as a competent and ethical practitioner. He has been active in county and state bar associations, and he served a term as president of the Delaware County Bar Association. He frequently lectures before professional and community groups. Although his experience handling cases in the Superior Court is not extensive, the commission concludes the Candidate has the legal ability, integrity and temperament to perform satisfactorily as a judge of the Superior Court and recommends his candidacy.

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Victor P. Stabile, Dauphin County
Rating: Recommended

Throughout his career as a civil litigator, the Candidate has been held in high regard by his peers, who commend his integrity, strong work ethic and civility. He served as a clerk for a Commonwealth Court judge before working as a litigator in the Office of the Pennsylvania Attorney General. More recently, he has distinguished himself as the managing partner of his firm's Harrisburg office, where he handles complex civil litigation matters. His writing skills are strong and his experience handling cases before the appellate courts is solid. He has an exemplary record of pro bono service, and he has also served his community as a member of his township's Board of Supervisors. Based on his strong intellect, passion for the law and even temperament, the commission recommends him for a position on the Superior Court.

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Judge David N. Wecht, Allegheny County
Rating: Highly Recommended

The Candidate has served with distinction over the past eight years as a judge on the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County. He recently served as the administrative judge of the Family Division, where he implemented innovative programs, including �One Family, One Judge� to provide consistency in the adjudication of legal issues that are addressed by that division. As a Family Court judge, the Candidate had experience in both the domestic relations and juvenile justice functions. While in the Family Division, he served on a regular basis in the Civil Division of the court, where he is now sits. His opinions evidence thoughtful scholarly research and demonstrate his keen intellect. He is respectful of litigants in his court, and his opinions demonstrate his understanding of both sides of the matters before him. His love of the law is apparent not only by his service on the bench but also by his teaching at the law school and college levels and by the publication of many articles. The Candidate has the breadth of experience and knowledge required to serve with distinction on the Superior Court and is highly recommended.

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Brett M. Woodburn, Dauphin County
Rating: Recommended

The Candidate served for two years as a common pleas judicial clerk. He has practiced law for more than 10 years at a Harrisburg firm, where he is a partner with a practice concentrating on real estate law and litigation. He has demonstrated a strong commitment to public service, legal education and pro bono work. He is thorough, poised and energetic. Although his appellate experience is limited, he is regarded by his colleagues as intelligent, hard working and collegial. The commission concludes the Candidate possesses the legal skills, work ethic and temperament to fulfill the duties of a judge on the Superior Court and recommends his candidacy.

Read the Candidate's questionnaire.