HARRISBURG (Feb. 5, 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 third set of evaluations with potential candidates. A fourth round of ratings will be issued later this week.

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

Superior Court of Pennsylvania -
Highly Recommended
Judge Cheryl L. Allen, Allegheny County

Recommended
Judge Bruce E. Bratton, Dauphin County

Recommended
Claude A. Lord "Cal" Shields, Schuylkill County

Recommended
Templeton Smith Jr., Allegheny County

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

Supreme Court of Pennsylvania �
Highly Recommended
Judge C. Darnell Jones II, Philadelphia County

Highly Recommended
Judge Maureen Lally-Green, Butler County

Highly Recommended
Judge Paul P. Panepinto, Philadelphia County

Highly Recommended
Judge Debra Todd, Allegheny County

Recommended
Judge Michael L. Krancer, Montgomery County

Recommended
Judge Seamus P. McCaffery, Philadelphia 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

Recommended
Jacqueline O. Shogan, Westmoreland 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. Cheryl L. Allen, Allegheny County
Rating: Highly Recommended

TThe Candidate compiled 15 years of experience in various aspects of the law before beginning service as a common pleas court judge in 1990. From 1991 to 2004, during her tenure in juvenile court, she developed and implemented innovative programs to improve the functioning of that court and to address the needs of the children and parents involved in that setting. She spearheaded a drive to direct juvenile offenders to a path of productivity through education. She has a well-earned reputation as a productive, principled and dedicated jurist who decides cases with fairness and impartiality. She has earned the admiration of the bench and bar for her ability to manage large caseloads, and she is recognized by the bench and bar to be intelligent, experienced, articulate and fair. A lifelong public servant, she has demonstrated her responsiveness to the needs of the community and the justice system. The Candidate is well prepared to ascend to the Superior Court. She is highly recommended by the Commission.

Read the Candidate�s questionnaire.

Hon. Bruce E. Bratton, Dauphin County
Rating: Recommended

The Candidate was appointed to the common pleas bench in 2001 following 25 years of active practice in the areas of real estate, estate planning, family law and general litigation. He was then elected to a 10-year term, commencing January 2002. He has established a reputation as a bright, hard-working and intelligent jurist who is conscientious, fair minded and courteous to those who appear before him. His opinion-writing talents are well recognized, and he has taken the lead in developing new procedures in the Dauphin County court. He has been active in community affairs. His experience as a practicing lawyer and his reputation as jurist confirm that he is to be recommended for a seat on the Superior Court.

Read the Candidate�s questionnaire.

Claude A. Lord "CAL" Shields, Schuylkill County
Rating: Recommended

The Candidate serves as the director of the Bureau of Enforcement and Investigation at the Pennsylvania Department of State. While his career has included periods of private practice and administration of public agencies, his most significant professional achievement has been serving as district attorney of Schuylkill County for 16 years. He has considerable and successful experience as prosecutor at both the trial and appellate levels. He also served as president of the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association. His recent state government experience has allowed him to utilize his strong management and administrative skills in improving the agency's operations. The Candidate has a solid record of service in civic and professional organizations. Despite the lack of current written work, the Commission has concluded that the Candidate possesses the legal ability and work ethic necessary to recommend him for a position on the Superior Court.

Read the Candidate�s questionnaire.

Templeton Smith Jr., Allegheny County
Rating: Recommended

The Candidate has extensive experience in a wide variety of areas, including zoning, land use, commercial, health care and insurance defense litigation. The Candidate is recognized for his strong writing abilities, scholarly legal analysis and effective advocacy. He has taught continuing legal education courses and has been active in bar associations. In addition, he has provided pro bono support for community organizations and individuals. The Candidate has the requisite legal experience, intellectual ability, character and integrity to 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.