Judge Musmanno was elected to the Superior Court in 1997 after having served as a judge of the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas since 1981. During his tenure on the Superior Court, he has shown a keen interest in improving the administration of justice in the commonwealth and the efficient use of court systems and procedures. In that regard, he is an active member of the Case Management Committee and is the liaison for the court’s mediation program. He served on the Judicial Conduct Board from 2001 to 2005 and is presently on the Court of Judicial Discipline. He is highly regarded for his intelligence, courteousness, fairness, judicial temperament and professionalism. Lawyers who appear before him find him well prepared, attentive and able to get to the heart of any issue. Judge Musmanno’s opinions are thorough and reasoned. He is held in high esteem by his judicial colleagues. Judge Musmanno has clearly has demonstrated all of the qualities necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of an appellate judge during his initial term and the Commission recommends his retention.

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Judge Correale F. Stevens
Rating: Recommended for Retention

Judge Stevens was elected to the Superior Court of Pennsylvania in 1997. Prior to his election, he served as a trial judge on the Court of Common Pleas of Luzerne County for seven years. In 1987, he was elected district attorney of Luzerne County and he served four terms in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1980 to 1988. Judge Stevens is held in high esteem throughout the legal community and is known for consistently being thoroughly prepared, polite, courteous and fair. His legal opinions are well reasoned, clearly written and demonstrate a broad knowledge of the law. His administrative abilities are evidenced by his service as chair of the Technology Committee of the Superior Court. Judge Stevens has an exceptional record of community and professional involvement. Through his service, he has shown an unquestionable devotion to enhancing the quality of justice. Because of Judge Stevens’ work ethic, respect of his peers and devotion to the quality of justice, the Commission recommends his retention as a judge of the Pennsylvania Superior Court.

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Judge Bonnie B. Leadbetter
Rating: Recommended for Retention

Judge Leadbetter has served as a judge of the Commonwealth Court since 1996, having been appointed that year and elected to a ten-year term beginning in 1997. Before serving on the bench, she was an assistant district attorney, assistant United States attorney, counsel to an insurance company, judge pro tempore of the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, and in private practice. Judge Leadbetter is recognized for her high level of legal ability, sound judgment, courteous manner and appropriate judicial temperament. Her well-reasoned and well-written opinions reflect her thorough understanding of the facts and trial court record under review. The judge is very active in the legal community and participates frequently in continuing legal education programs for lawyers. Her integrity and personal character are beyond reproach. Her recent selection as president judge of the Commonwealth Court is testament to the respect, confidence and support her colleagues on the court have in her considerable abilities. The Commission finds Judge Leadbetter as clearly deserving of retention for another term as a member of the Commonwealth Court.

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Judge Bernard L. McGinley
Rating: Recommended for Retention

Judge McGinley was elected to the Commonwealth Court in 1987 and was retained by the voters for a second term in 1997. Previously, he served as an assistant district attorney and as a judge of the Allegheny Court of Common Pleas. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army Reserve Medical Corps in 1970 and achieved the rank of captain. He is uniformly praised for his judicial temperament, demeanor, fairness, intelligence and dedication to the law. Judge McGinley’s written opinions address a broad spectrum of legal issues and are well reasoned and demonstrate a clear understanding of the facts and applicable law. He treats lawyers fairly and courteously and is held in the highest regard for his legal knowledge and analytical abilities. He has demonstrated the highest level of integrity in his personal and professional life. His work ethic, scholarship, excellent character and commitment to enhancing the quality of justice clearly warrant a recommendation for his retention as a member of the Commonwealth Court.

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Judge Doris Smith-Ribner
Rating: Recommended for Retention

Judge Doris Smith-Ribner has been a member of the Commonwealth Court since 1988.  During her terms on the Commonwealth Court, Judge Smith-Ribner has earned a reputation as a dedicated, hard-working and diligent jurist possessing a scholarly mind and an even-handed approach to the administration of justice. She asks thoughtful questions during oral argument, is respectful of counsel during argument and is consistently well prepared and thorough in her analysis and treatment of the issues presented to her. Judge Smith-Ribner is known and respected for her keen understanding of legal principles and her thorough understanding of the rules of Commonwealth Court.  She is an able and innovative administrator as evidenced by her development of a very successful Commonwealth Court mediation program and her service for 13 years on the Pennsylvania Judicial Auditing Agency, including as chairperson of the agency from 1999 to 2004. She also has an interest in the mentoring of new lawyers as evidenced by her development of a nationwide judicial externship/clerkship program that places students with federal and state court judges throughout the country. Judge Smith-Ribner is held in high esteem by her judicial colleagues and the court’s staff. Her character and integrity are of the utmost quality, and she is devoted to deciding the issues presented to her court quickly and efficiently. Judge Smith-Ribner has earned the Commission’s recommendation for retention on the Commonwealth Court.

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Judge Michael L. Krancer
Rating: Recommended

The Candidate recently served on the Pennsylvania Environmental Hearing Board (EHB), a statewide trial court for environmental litigation. He was appointed to that board as a judge in October 1999 and confirmed by the Senate and elevated to chief judge in 2003. In 2005, he was reappointed and again confirmed by the Senate. The Candidate was a litigator in Philadelphia from 1983 until his appointment to the EHB. The Candidate possesses an excellent work ethic; he is scholarly, thoughtful, hard working and passionate about the law. His opinions are complete and authoritative and have been well accepted by the appellate courts. He enjoys an excellent reputation and has been actively engaged for many years in public service and community involvement. The Commission believes that the Candidate’s experience, demeanor and temperament, coupled with his intellect and work ethic, render him competent to fulfill the demanding responsibilities of a Supreme Court Justice.

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Judge 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.

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Judge Seamus P. McCaffery
Rating: Recommended

The Candidate has a wide range of experiences in the Pennsylvania legal system. He has served in law enforcement and as a lawyer, municipal judge and now as a judge on the Superior Court. His unique background and work experience affords him a solid understanding and appreciation of the workings of the unified judiciary. This, combined with his service as administrative judge of the Philadelphia Municipal Court, makes him well suited to serve as a member of our highest court. The Candidate has demonstrated a life-long commitment to public service and is currently a Colonel in the United States Air Force (Res.) and Air Force liaison to the Department of Homeland Security. The Candidate offers a high level of energy and a strong work ethic. He is recognized for his strong personality and is an innovative and creative problem solver. He has great respect for the law, its institutions and traditions. He is committed to improving the public’s understanding and respect for the legal system and the courts. The Commission believes that the Candidate has the requisite legal ability and skills necessary to serve as a Supreme Court Justice.

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Judge Debra Todd
Rating: Highly Recommended

The Candidate has served on the Pennsylvania Superior Court since her election in 1999. On the court, she is known for her passion for the law, her academic approach to decision making and her thoughtful, thorough scholarly opinions. She brings a breadth of experience from an active civil litigation practice, which has been expanded because a majority of her time on the court is devoted to criminal matters. She has continued her involvement in a variety of community service endeavors, especially those dealing with young people. She has a strong commitment to the law and to the improvement of the court system, both of which have helped instill public awareness of and confidence in the judiciary. The Commission believes the Candidate has the intellectual ability, personal integrity, strong sense of fairness, and diverse practical and academic experience to serve with distinction on the highest court. She is highly recommended for this position.

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Judge Cheryl L. Allen
Rating: Highly Recommended

The 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.

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Judge Bruce E. Bratton
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.

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Christine L. Donohue
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.

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Judge 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.

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Jackie Shogan
Rating: Recommended

The Candidate has practiced law since 1990. She has extensive experience in the area of health law and currently teaches a legal course on appellate practice. She served as a clerk and staff attorney in the federal district court for the western district of Pennsylvania. Since 2002, her practice has focused on complex civil litigation and appellate work. She demonstrates significant skills in articulating her positions and writes in a clear and well-organized fashion. She is known for her intelligence, diligence, work ethic and pro bono activities. She has a strong record of community involvement and is known for her devotion to public service and personal integrity. She has a keen interest in mediation and alternative dispute resolution. The Commission believes that the candidate possesses the requisite legal and intellectual ability to serve on the Superior Court.

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Judge 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 Superior Court Justice.

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