HARRISBURG (Jan. 20, 2011) - The Pennsylvania Bar Association Judicial Evaluation Commission (PBA JEC) today released its ratings of potential judicial candidates seeking election to the state's appellate courts in November.

Each candidate requesting an evaluation by the PBA JEC is eligible to receive a rating of "Highly Recommended," "Recommended" or "Not Recommended." More evaluations with other potential candidates will be held later this month.

The PBA JEC's ratings completed during the first round of evaluations are as follows:

Superior Court of Pennsylvania -
Highly Recommended
Judge Paul P. Panepinto, Philadelphia County
Judge David N. Wecht, Allegheny County

Recommended
Judge Paula A. Patrick, Philadelphia County

Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania -
Highly Recommended
Judge Johnny J. Butler, Philadelphia County
Judge Paul P. Panepinto, Philadelphia County

Recommended
Gregg I. Adelman, Montgomery County
Anne E. Covey, Bucks County

During the upcoming elections, voters will be filling one seat on the Superior Court and one seat on the Commonwealth Court.

"The PBA JEC provides information to help voters choose candidates best suited to serve as fair, impartial and knowledgeable judges," said Pittsburgh lawyer Chris F. Gillotti, chair of the PBA JEC. "By its own definitions, the PBA JEC only recommends potential candidates with the legal ability, experience, integrity and temperament to provide satisfactory or outstanding performance as judges on our appellate benches."

The PBA JEC based its ratings for each candidate on a two-part evaluation process. Investigative panels conducted the first phase of the process, which included personal interviews with the candidates and with individuals who have had professional or personal dealings with them. Upon completion of the investigative process, the panels submitted confidential reports to the Commission.

Upon receipt and review of the investigative panel's report, the Commission conducted the second phase of the evaluation process. The Commission interviewed each candidate in Harrisburg, discussed his or her qualifications and reached consensus on each candidate's rating.

Serving with Gillotti in the leadership of the PBA JEC is Erie County lawyer Steven E. (Tim) Riley Jr. as co-vice chair and Montgomery County lawyer Robert F. Morris as co-vice chair. Lawyer members include Michael A. Bloom of Philadelphia County; Richard A. Estacio of Philadelphia County; Stephanie F. Latimore of Dauphin County; Sharon R. Lopez of Lancaster County; Pamela J. Mayer of Cambria County; C. Edward S. Mitchell of Lycoming County; Kimberly Moses of Allegheny County; Rebecca L. Reinhardt of Lycoming County; Kathryn Lease Simpson of Dauphin County; and Lorrie Elylice Whitfield of Monroe County. Non-lawyer members are Denice Ferranti-Robinson of Fayette County; Jeraldine D. Kozloff of Berks County; Susan Sherman of Philadelphia County; John D. Unangst of Delaware County; Diane Wakefield of Beaver County; and Matthew Woessner of Dauphin County.

RATINGS' DEFINITIONS

Highly Recommended: The candidate possesses the highest combination of legal ability, experience, integrity and temperament and would be capable of outstanding performance as a judge or justice of the court for which he/she is a candidate.

Recommended: Based on legal ability, experience, integrity and temperament, the candidate would be able to perform satisfactorily as a judge or justice of the court for which he/she is a candidate.

Not Recommended: Based on legal ability, experience, integrity or temperament, or any combination thereof, at the present time, the candidate is inadequate to perform satisfactorily as a judge or justice of the court for which he/she is a candidate.

SUPERIOR COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA

Judge Paul P. Panepinto
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.

Read the Candidate's questionnaire.

Judge Paula A. Patrick
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.

Read the Candidate's questionnaire.

Judge David N. Wecht
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.

Read the Candidate's questionnaire.

COMMONWEALTH COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA

Gregg I. Adelman
Rating: Recommended

The Candidate was admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar in 1999 and has practiced in the areas of land use, zoning and environmental administrative law and procedure. He is respected by his colleagues as hard-working and intelligent. He serves on the board of trustees of his local library. He has not been active in professional organizations and has no record of pro bono work. The Candidate's administrative experience is limited and some uncertainty exists as to his judicial temperament. Based on his legal knowledge, demonstrated intellect and ability, the commission concludes the Candidate would be able to perform satisfactorily as a judge for the Commonwealth Court and recommends his candidacy.

Read the Candidate's questionnaire.

Judge Johnny J. Butler
Rating: Highly Recommended

The Candidate was appointed to a vacancy on the Commonwealth Court in 2008 and again in 2009. He is an accomplished leader in public administration and organizational development, and he has expertise in employment law, workforce development and human resource management. During his 40 year career, he has served as the secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry and as acting general counsel for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunities Commission. His peers think highly of him, and he has proven himself to be hard working with an impressive performance record. The Candidate is articulate and communicates effectively orally and in writing. His opinions are concise, succinct and direct. He has demonstrated notable adherence to high ethical standards. Based on his experience, intelligence, judicial temperament and character, the commission highly recommends the Candidate for a position on the Commonwealth Court.

Read the Candidate's questionnaire.

Anne E. Covey
Rating: Recommended

The Candidate has been a member of the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board since 2002. Her legal experience is primarily representing businesses in the area of employment and labor relations. She has counseled, taught and consulted widely in matters involving this subject area. The Candidate is the author of numerous law review and law journal articles and a book, The Workplace Law Advisor. She demonstrates intelligence, writing ability, administrative experience, and judicial temperament. The commission concludes that the Candidate possesses good character, integrity and an excellent work ethic and that she would be able to perform satisfactorily as a judge on the Commonwealth Court.

Read the Candidate's questionnaire.

Judge Paul P. Panepinto
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. 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 demonstrated ability to generate systemic change and his unique "big picture" perspective, the commission highly recommends this Candidate for Commonwealth Court.

Read the Candidate's questionnaire.

Founded in 1895, the Pennsylvania Bar Association exists to promote justice, professional excellence and respect of the law; improve public understanding of the legal system; facilitate access to legal services; and serve the 29,000 lawyers who are members of the association.

Editor's Note: An electronic version of this information and the candidates' questionnaires can be found on the PBA website at www. pabar.org and at pavotesmart.com.