HARRISBURG (Feb. 3, 2011) - The Pennsylvania Bar Association Judicial Evaluation Commission (PBA JEC) today released its second round of ratings for 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."

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

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

Superior Court of Pennsylvania -
Highly Recommended
Judge Robert J. Colville, Allegheny County

Recommended
David E. Robbins, Delaware County
Victor P. Stabile, Dauphin County
Brett M. Woodburn, Dauphin County

Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania -
Recommended
Kathryn Boockvar, Bucks County
David E. Robbins, Delaware County

The PBA JEC's ratings completed during the first round of evaluations issued last month 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

"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 Robert J. Colville
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.

Read the Candidate's questionnaire.

David E. Robbins
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.

Read the Candidate's questionnaire.

Victor P. Stabile
Ratings: 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.

Read the Candidate's questionnaire.

Brett M. Woodburn
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.

COMMONWEALTH COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA

Kathryn Boockvar
Rating: Recommended

The Candidate has a varied background that includes working in a private law practice and as a legal services and public interest lawyer, most recently working on election law matters. She is regarded as bright, hard working and a zealous advocate for her clients. She communicates well. Her record of community service and bar association and professional organization activities is adequate but not extensive. She is experienced in handling cases that regularly come before the Commonwealth Court, but her appellate experience, including her experience before the Commonwealth Court, is limited. The commission finds that the Candidate possesses the legal ability, experience, integrity and temperament to perform satisfactorily as a judge of the Commonwealth Court and recommends her as a candidate for a seat on that court.

Read the Candidate's questionnaire.

David E. Robbins
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 Commonwealth Court is not extensive, the commission concludes the Candidate has the legal ability, integrity and temperament to perform satisfactorily as a judge of the Commonwealth Court and recommends his candidacy.

Read the Candidate's questionnaire.

More information about the upcoming judicial elections is available at www.pavotesmart.com

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.