RATING OF RENTION CANDIDATES:

Judge John T. Bender
Rating: Recommended for Retention

The Candidate has served on the Superior Court since January 2002. He has earned a reputation as a fair minded and capable jurist. He regularly delivers concise, consistent and clear opinions. His opinions are well reasoned and easily readable regardless of the complexity of the subject matter. He has an excellent judicial temperament and is known for being well prepared, polite and attentive during arguments in cases before him. He has demonstrated a thorough grasp of both substantive legal issues and procedural issues. He has actively served on the appellate court Rules Committee while maintaining a commitment to his day-to-day administrative and substantive duties as a judge. The commission recommends the Candidate's retention.

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Judge Mary Jane Bowes
Rating: Recommended for Retention

The Candidate has served as a Superior Court judge since January 2002. She has earned the respect of lawyers and her peers for her strong work ethic, her exceptional intellect, her judicial temperament and her dedication to improving the quality of justice through legal education and community involvement. The Candidate is a frequent participant in continuing legal education panels, serves on the Pennsylvania Bar Association Appellate Advocacy Committee and is involved with the "Color of Justice" program in which female judges meet with female minority high school students. The Candidate's written opinions are logically organized and written with clarity and sound legal reasoning. The commission recommends the Candidate's retention.

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RATINGS OF CANDIDATES FOR ONE VACANCY:

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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