HARRISBURG (Jan. 10, 2007) � 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.� A second set of evaluations with other potential candidates will be held later this month and a third round will be held in early February.

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

Supreme Court of Pennsylvania �
Highly Recommended
Judge Maureen Lally-Green, Butler County
Recommended
Judge John Milton Younge, Philadelphia County

Superior Court of Pennsylvania �
Highly Recommended
Judge Ronald W. Folino, Allegheny County
Highly Recommended
Judge Anne E. Lazarus, Philadelphia 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.

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.

Honorable Maureen Lally-Green
Rating: Highly Recommended

The Candidate has served as a judge of the Superior Court since 1998, having been appointed in 1998 and elected to a 10-year term beginning in January 2000. The Candidate has a diverse legal background. She has been a professor at Duquesne University School of Law and she has practiced law in the areas of securities, business and corporations. She also has served as a research associate for the Supreme Court. She has written extensively on a wide-ranging set of topics and her writings are scholarly and thoughtful. The Candidate also has written a variety of opinions during her tenure on the Superior Court that are noteworthy for their organization and structure and her clear analysis of the issues and applicable precedent. Her opinions are well-reasoned and provide very helpful guidance on difficult issues. In addition, her judicial temperament and impartiality in decision-making are outstanding. She is known for her fairness, courtesy and respect for counsel who appear before the Superior Court. The Candidate also has an outstanding record of meaningful community service. The Commission believes that the Candidate would be an outstanding addition to the Supreme Court and highly recommends her.

Read the Candidate�s questionnaire.

Honorable John Milton Younge
Rating: Recommended

The Candidate has served as a judge in the Court of Common Pleas of the First Judicial District in Pennsylvania since 1995, dealing with a heavy workload and a wide variety of cases, both civil and criminal. He has a demonstrated ability in dealing effectively and fairly with lawyers and litigants and has a real commitment to both the process and substance of justice. Prior to serving as a judge, the Candidate served as staff counsel to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority and also had a solo practice. He appropriately describes himself as a career public servant. The Candidate has a solid track record of community involvement, as well as past service with the Pennsylvania Conference of State Trial Judges, including service as its president. The Commission believes that the Candidate is competent and hard working, and he possesses the judicial skills and legal ability necessary to serve as a Supreme Court Justice.

Read the Candidate�s questionnaire.

Honorable Ronald W. Folino
Rating: Highly Recommended

The Candidate has been a member of the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County since January 1994. While on the court, he has served in the family division and the civil division and has presided over a broad array of matters. The Candidate is highly regarded for his legal knowledge and intellect by the judges who serve with him on the bench and the lawyers who practice before him. The lawyers in Allegheny County have consistently given the Candidate the highest marks for impartiality, legal ability, diligence and temperament. He has an excellent reputation in the legal community for his calm demeanor, fairness, honesty, integrity and impartiality. He demonstrates a strong devotion to the law. He is hard working and has actively participated as a lecturer in various aspects of the law. His legal opinions are reasoned, thorough and well-written. He demonstrates a strong commitment to community service. He clearly possesses the requisite intellect, scholarship, character and integrity to serve with distinction on the Superior Court and the Commission highly recommends him for this position.

Read the Candidate�s questionnaire.

Honorable Anne E. Lazarus
Rating: Highly Recommended

The Candidate has served as a common pleas judge in Philadelphia County for 15 years, having first been elected to a 10-year term in November 1991. She was retained for a second 10-year term in 2001. Prior to serving as a judge, the Candidate served as a law clerk in the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County while maintaining a solo private practice until she joined a law firm in 1990. She is intelligent, thoughtful, candid, and scholarly, and she demonstrates superior writing ability, knowledge of the law and exceptional judicial temperament. The Candidate has a record and reputation for excellent character and integrity and has demonstrated sound judgment in her professional life. She has a strong commitment to community and pro bono service and, in addition to her own exemplary service, has used her elected office to encourage lawyers to participate in pro bono programs. The Commission concludes that the Candidate would bring commitment, enthusiasm, perspective, legal knowledge and experience to the Superior Court and would serve the office with distinction.

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.