HARRISBURG (Feb. 8, 2007) - The Pennsylvania Bar Association Judicial Evaluation Commission (PBA JEC) today released another 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." Today's ratings are the fourth set of evaluations with potential candidates.

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

Supreme Court of Pennsylvania -
Not Recommended
Judge Willis W. Berry Jr., Philadelphia County

Superior Court of Pennsylvania -
Highly Recommended
Christine L. Donohue, Allegheny County

Recommended
Judge James Murray Lynn, Philadelphia County
Timothy J. McCormick, Westmoreland County

In the three earlier rounds of judicial evaluations, the PBA JEC issued these ratings:

Supreme Court of Pennsylvania �
Highly Recommended
Judge C. Darnell Jones II, Philadelphia County
Judge Maureen Lally-Green, Butler County
Judge Paul P. Panepinto, Philadelphia County
Judge Debra Todd, Allegheny County

Recommended
Judge Michael L. Krancer, Montgomery County
Judge Seamus P. McCaffery, Philadelphia County
Judge John Milton Younge, Philadelphia County

Superior Court of Pennsylvania -
Highly Recommended
Judge Cheryl L. Allen, Allegheny County
Judge Ronald W. Folino, Allegheny County
Judge Anne E. Lazarus, Philadelphia County

Recommended
Judge Bruce E. Bratton, Dauphin County
Claude A. Lord "Cal" Shields, Schuylkill County
Jacqueline O. Shogan, Westmoreland County
Templeton Smith Jr., Allegheny County

Not Recommended
Richard M. Cappelli, Delaware County

During the upcoming elections, voters will be filling two vacancies on the Supreme Court and two vacancies on the Superior Court, plus voters will be deciding on the retention of eight appellate judges.

"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 vice chair. Lawyer members include Michael A. Bloom of Philadelphia County; Frederick N. Egler Jr. of Allegheny County; Stephanie F. Latimore of Dauphin County; Lucille Marsh of Lackawanna County; Heidi B. Masano of Berks County; Pamela J. Mayer of Cambria County; John R. McGinley of Allegheny County; Dianne I. Nichols of Dauphin County; Mark D. Shepard of Allegheny County; Kathryn Lease Simpson of Dauphin County; and John F. Stoviak of Philadelphia County. Non-lawyer members are Esther Bush of Allegheny County; Daniel A. Cirucci of Montgomery County; David W. Hamstead of Allegheny County; Jeraldine D. Kozloff of Berks County; and R. Thomas Williamson of Lawrence 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.

Hon. Willis W. Berry Jr., Philadelphia County
Rating: Not Recommended

The Candidate has served as a judge on the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County since 1996. He has extensive experience in the Criminal Division. Prior to being elected to the bench, the Candidate practiced law in Philadelphia, focusing on criminal law. The Commission believes that while the Candidate has served well in Common Pleas Court, it cannot recommend him for election to the Supreme Court. This conclusion is based on the Candidate's lack of experience in areas of the law outside of criminal law, lack of administrative experience and lack of demonstrated community service. Further, he has not participated in bar-related functions, teaching, writing or his court's efforts to improve the justice system. For these reasons, the Commission has not recommended the Candidate for the Supreme Court.

Read the Candidate�s questionnaire.

Christine L. Donohue, Allegheny County
Rating: Highly Recommended

The Candidate has distinguished herself as a practicing attorney with extensive civil trial and appellate court experience. She demonstrates a wealth of knowledge about the Superior Court and has served in a quasi-judicial role on the Disciplinary Board of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and the Pennsylvania Court of Judicial Discipline. The Candidate has been active in many professional organizations, notably the Pennsylvania Board of Law Examiners from 1990 to 1996, serving as its chair for two years. She also has extensive community involvement and has taught both professional and lay audiences. Her colleagues describe her as intelligent, conscientious and objective and credit her with having outstanding character. Her legal writings are well-reasoned, well-organized and demonstrate the legal ability to serve with distinction on the Superior Court. She is highly recommended by the Commission.

Read the Candidate�s questionnaire.

Hon. James Murray Lynn, Philadelphia County
Rating: Recommended

The Candidate has served as a judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County since December 1991 and was retained in 2001. Prior to his service on the bench, he practiced law in Philadelphia for 18 years, including three years as an assistant district attorney. In his 15 years as a trial judge, he has been responsible for handling a wide variety of civil cases, including mass tort cases as well as family law and criminal matters. He is known for his calm and courteous attitude towards litigants appearing before him and their counsel. The Candidate�s writing style is clear and concise and his opinions are generally viewed as appropriate. The Commission concludes the Candidate possesses the legal ability, experience, integrity and temperament to perform satisfactorily as a Superior Court judge and recommends his candidacy for that position.

Read the Candidate�s questionnaire.

Timothy J. McCormick, Westmoreland County
Rating: Recommended

The Candidate has been a legal practitioner since 1979. He has wide experience in criminal and civil matters preparing him to handle the full spectrum of cases that come before the Superior Court. He has a long history of pro bono service and volunteerism in his community. His peers consider him to be compassionate, courteous, patient, professional and committed to justice and fairness. The Commission finds him to have an appropriate judicial temperament. These qualities render him competent to fulfill the demanding responsibilities of a Superior Court judge and, therefore, the Commission recommends him for a position on the 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.