HARRISBURG (Jan. 18, 2001) - The Pennsylvania Bar Association Judicial Evaluation Commission today released its ratings of fourteen potential judicial candidates seeking election to the state�s appellate courts in November.

The ratings are:
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania -
Highly Recommended
Judge John Cleland, McKean County
Judge J. Michael Eakin, Cumberland County

Superior Court of Pennsylvania -
Highly Recommended
Judge Mark I. Bernstein, Philadelphia County
Judge John Cleland, McKean County
Robert A. Graci Esq., Cumberland County
Judge Richard B. Klein, Philadelphia County
Recommended
Judge Cyrus Dolbin, Schuylkill County
Judge D. Webster Keogh, Philadelphia County
Not Recommended
David N. Wecht Esq., Allegheny County

Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania -
Highly Recommended
C. Grainger Bowman Esq., Cumberland County
Michelle H. Lally Esq., Allegheny County
Mary Hannah Leavitt Esq., Dauphin County
Recommended
Renee Levine Cohn Esq., Lehigh County
Charles J. Cunningham Esq., Philadelphia County
Thomas M. Devlin Esq., Cumberland County

For the 2001 election, there will be a total of seven open seats at the appellate level, with one vacancy on the Supreme Court and three vacancies each on the Superior and Commonwealth courts.

�This will be a significant year in the reshaping of Pennsylvania�s appellate courts,� said Philadelphia lawyer Michael A. Bloom, chair of the PBA JEC. �When citizens enter the voting booth in the May primary and in the November general election, they will be faced with a long list of candidates from which to choose. It is our job to provide the guidance and information needed to help voters make informed choices when they select Pennsylvania�s judiciary.�

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

Candidates are eligible to receive a rating of �Highly Recommended,� � Recommended� or �Not Recommended.� The fourteen candidates for which ratings were announced had requested to be evaluated by the Commission. The Commission will conduct a second set of evaluations on Jan. 25 and 26 and will hold further interviews in March, should additional candidates seek to

Serving with Bloom in the leadership of the PBA JEC is New Castle lawyer Richard E. Flannery as vice chair. Lawyer members include Lynne Abraham of Philadelphia County; Samuel T. Cooper III of Dauphin County; Chris F. Gillotti of Allegheny County; Marvin S. Lieber of Allegheny County; Pamela J. Mayer of Westmoreland County; Leslie Anne Miller of Montgomery County; Steven E. �Tim� Riley Jr. of Erie County; Jeffrey Rotwitt of Philadelphia County; Louis N. Teti of Chester County; H. Woodruff Turner of Allegheny County; and Deborah R. Willig of Philadelphia County. Non-lawyer members are Dr. Richard Bell of Berks County; Christine James-Brown of Philadelphia; Jane G. Pepper of Delaware County; and R. Thomas Williamson of Lawrence County.

The Pennsylvania Bar Association is a professional organization that represents 27,000 lawyers and promotes the legal profession across the commonwealth.

Highly Recommended: The candidate possesses the highest combination of legal ability, 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, 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, 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.

JUDGE JOHN CLELAND
Supreme Court
Rating: Highly Recommended

The Candidate has served with distinction for more than 16 years as President Judge of the McKean County Court of Common Pleas, a one-judge county. He previously practiced in a broad-based, general practice firm. He is recognized as a highly competent, honest, independent, hard working, fair-minded judge who has performed admirably under the weight of a very heavy caseload and in the face of an inadequate County budget. He is very courteous and sensitive to conflicting viewpoints. He has developed and implemented numerous creative programs in McKean County designed to improve the quality of the judicial system. He also has been an active participant in the Pennsylvania Conference of State Trial Judges. The Candidate is refreshingly self-effacing, kind, patient and reflective. The Commission believes the candidate would bring a unique perspective and a wealth of experience to either the Supreme Court or the Superior Court and highly recommends his candidacy.

JUDGE J. MICHAEL EAKIN
Supreme Court
Rating: Highly Recommended

The Candidate has earned a reputation for unquestioned integrity, outstanding character, compassion and intellect. He is an experienced, sincere, incisive, fair and impartial jurist who displays a unique sensitivity to, and respect for, all litigants and advocates who appear before him. He has a humble, courteous manner, a refreshing sense of humor, and a strong sense of community and professional involvement. His opinions demonstrate sound reasoning and clear analysis and he has a strong commitment to advancing the public's understanding of the law. Judge Eakin is ideally suited and prepared for the increased responsibilities of a Justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. He possesses all of the traits necessary to make significant contributions to the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania and the administration of justice in the Commonwealth.

JUDGE MARK I. BERNSTEIN
Superior Court
Rating: Highly Recommended

The Candidate has experience in private practice as an assistant public defender, as a sole practitioner, as a partner in a mid-sized law firm and as an elected Judge of the Court of Common Pleas since 1987. He writes extensively for numerous legal publications and demonstrates an extremely clear writing style that is cogent, well researched and well reasoned.

Very concerned about the quality of justice, the Candidate demonstrates a sincere desire to provide guidance to litigants and lawyers through his thoughtful judicial opinions. Administratively, he took a lead role in developing the �Day Forward� program in his Court which has dramatically improved case disposition. He enjoys the highest reputation for character, fairness and integrity and possesses all of the qualifications required to perform the responsibilities of a Judge of the Superior Court with distinction.

JUDGE JOHN CLELAND
Superior Court
Rating: Highly Recommended

The Candidate has served with distinction for more than 16 years as President Judge of the McKean County Court of Common Pleas, a one-judge county. He previously practiced in a broad-based, general practice firm. He is recognized as a highly competent, honest, independent, hard working, fair-minded judge who has performed admirably under the weight of a very heavy caseload and in the face of an inadequate County budget. He is very courteous and sensitive to conflicting viewpoints. He has developed and implemented numerous creative programs in McKean County designed to improve the quality of the judicial system. He also has been an active participant in the Pennsylvania Conference of State Trial Judges. The Candidate is refreshingly self-effacing, kind, patient and reflective. The Commission believes the candidate would bring a unique perspective and a wealth of experience to either the Supreme Court or the Superior Court and highly recommends his candidacy.

ROBERT A. GRACI, ESQUIRE
Superior Court
Rating: Highly Recommended

Currently serving as Assistant Executive Deputy Attorney General, the Candidate has extensive experience as a prosecutor and currently is the Commonwealth's chief appellate lawyer for criminal appeals. Throughout his practice, he has demonstrated excellent ability to interpret and apply legal principles and is regarded as a first rate trial lawyer. His legal writings are well written, researched and presented. His ethical standards are the highest and his integrity and sense of fairness are unquestioned. He possesses all the qualifications required to perform the responsibilities of a judge of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania with highest distinction.

JUDGE RICHARD B. KLEIN
Superior Court
Rating: Highly Recommended

The Candidate is highly recommended based upon his outstanding legal intellect, his dedication to the improvement of the justice system and the development of the judiciary and his active work in improving the skills of lawyers. The Candidate combines superior legal skills with a passion for the law and a solid judicial temperament which he has demonstrated through his long and distinguished tenure as a judge on the Court of Common Pleas. In addition to his responsibilities as a trial judge, the candidate has long been actively involved in efforts to improve the quality of justice. He is involved in restructuring the court system in the 21st Century as a member of the Futures Commission. The candidate possesses the character, integrity, fairness, administrative ability, and varied background, including exemplary community service and a long-term commitment to teaching, which represent the best qualities in an appellate judge.

JUDGE CYRUS DOLBIN
Superior Court
Rating: Recommended

The Candidate is a third generation judge who has earned respect as a thoughtful, even-tempered and considerate jurist. Prior to becoming a Common Pleas judge in 1991, he served as an assistant district attorney for 7 years and maintained a varied, general law practice for an additional 10 years. The Candidate has presided over a broad range of cases and has been an active participant in many community organizations. Cautious and deliberate in his decision-making, Judge Cyrus Dolbin is competent to fulfill the responsibilities of a Superior Court Judge.

JUDGE D. WEBSTER KEOGH
Superior Court
Rating: Recommended

The Candidate has served as a Common Pleas Judge in Philadelphia for 10 years. He previously worked in private practice representing clients in both civil and criminal matters and also worked for seven years in the Office of the District Attorney of the City of Philadelphia where he rose to the position of Executive Deputy District Attorney. He is known as a fair, attentive, punctual and very patient trial judge whose opinions are concise and clearly written. The Commission finds that the Candidate exhibits all of the qualifications necessary to properly fulfill and satisfy the functions of a judge of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania.

DAVID N. WECHT, ESQUIRE
Superior Court
Rating: Not Recommended

The Candidate has a sound and impressive academic background and a keen intellect. He possesses a varied legal background, having served as a law clerk to a federal circuit court of appeals judge, a practitioner in civil and criminal matters and appellate work, an adjunct law professor and lecturer and now as the elected Register of Wills of Allegheny County. His 13 years of private law firm association have given him experience in various areas of litigation. However, his experience in appellate work has been limited, and his position as Register of Wills, while quasi-judicial in nature, further limits his ability to spend more time in the trial and appellate arenas. Persons interviewed by the Commission expressed very mixed views about the Candidate. While some commended him for his intellect, energy and ability, others questioned his temperament and judgment. While his work generally appears good, the Commission concludes that, at this time, he lacks the requisite experience, temperament, and breadth and depth of knowledge necessary to fully meet the responsibilities of a Judge of the Superior Court.

C. GRAINGER BOWMAN, ESQUIRE
Commonwealth Court
Rating: Highly Recommended

The Candidate brings an uninterrupted history of involvement with the Commonwealth Court since the inception of that Court. His substantial, extensive and on-going experience in complex and noteworthy matters, his legal skills and his professionalism have earned for him an unqualified reputation for excellence among the bench and the bar. He is equally committed to community and bar activities in numerous leadership positions. He would bring to the Commonwealth Court a rare combination of scholarship, integrity, character and ability. Accordingly, the Commission believes that the Candidate would serve with distinction on the Commonwealth Court.

MICHELLE LALLY, ESQUIRE
Commonwealth Court
Rating: Highly Recommended

The Candidate presents a combination of legal ability and temperament that make her an excellent candidate for Commonwealth Court. Her experience as a sole practitioner, as a litigator, as a Special Master, a federal arbitrator and a member of the Allegheny County Board of Viewers gives her the experience and background that will serve her well as a member of the Commonwealth Court. The Candidate has a keen sense of justice, possesses a sharp intellect and a superior work ethic. She can be counted on to be well prepared. In addition, she has demonstrated a capacity for patience, courtesy and respect in dealing with opposing counsel and others in the courtroom. Ms. Lally has volunteered extensively in her community and has devoted substantial time and effort to improving the quality of justice.

MARY HANNAH LEAVITT, ESQUIRE
Commonwealth Court
Rating: Highly Recommended

The Candidate is extremely bright and articulate and has a strong academic background. She brings to the candidacy 23 years of experience in administrative practice and procedure both in the public and private sectors. Her experience as counsel to the Pennsylvania Insurance Department, in particular, has provided precisely the type of background that one should bring to the work of this Court. Her writing is clear and concise and demonstrates excellent critical analysis skills and legal ability. By all reports she is regarded as intelligent, organized, pragmatic, prepared, and persuasive. She possesses the intellect, professionalism, scholarship and temperament to serve with distinction as a judge of the Commonwealth Court.

(Commission member Turner recused himself from participation in the evaluation or rating of this Candidate.)

RENEE LEVINE COHN, ESQUIRE
Commonwealth Court
Rating: Recommended

The Candidate has had a sterling academic background during which she has demonstrated her keen intellect. She is a very bright and articulate person who has obtained valuable experience teaching at two law schools. Her 12 years of private sector law firm experience as an associate and a partner has exposed her to many varied litigation matters. More specifically, her subsequent positions in the public sector and as senior in-house legal counsel of a regulated telecommunications company have provided particularly apt experience in the types of matters that are within the appellate and original jurisdiction of the Commonwealth Court. By all reports, she is regarded as hardworking, well organized and extremely honest. The candidate has the proper temperament, demonstrated commitment and high intellect to serve as a judge of the Commonwealth Court.

CHARLES J. CUNNINGHAM, ESQUIRE
Commonwealth Court
Rating: Recommended

The Candidate has extensive experience as a skilled trial lawyer in both criminal and civil matters. He has served his profession and his community well during his 28-year career as an attorney - first with the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office - and later in private practice. The Candidate is a person of high integrity, held in high regard by members of the bench and members of the bar and demonstrates patience, thoughtfulness and consideration of others. The Commission believes that the Candidate exhibits all of the qualifications necessary to properly fulfill and satisfy the functions of a judge of the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania.

THOMAS DEVLIN, ESQUIRE
Commonwealth Court
Rating: Recommended

The Candidate offers 20 years of legal study and practice in diverse areas, including a solo practice, government work, civil litigation and as a law clerk to two respected Judges of the United States Bankruptcy Court. The Candidate currently serves as Senior Deputy Attorney General in the Charitable Trusts and Organization Section, a position of considerable responsibility. He has a demonstrated desire and capacity to learn and is a certified mediator. He demonstrates a fundamental interest in justice and fairness and has the adequate legal knowledge, analytical and administrative skills and temperament necessary to serve on the Commonwealth Court.