HARRISBURG (Jan. 22, 1999) The Pennsylvania Bar Association Judicial Evaluation Commission has released its ratings of four potential judicial candidates seeking election to two Pennsylvania Superior Court seats in November 1999.

PBA Judicial Evaluation Commission Chair Michael A. Bloom and PBA President Leslie Anne Miller announced the following ratings during a press conference at the State Capitol held on January 22, 1999:

�Fair, impartial and knowledgeable judges are at the core of our justice system. The Commission�s job is to help the citizens of Pennsylvania make informed choices about their judges before they enter the voting booth,� said Bloom. �The PBA Judicial Evaluation Commission is firmly committed to the notion that lawyers have a duty to recommend to the public the very best candidates for judicial office, so that all of us can be assured of having the very best judges on our appellate benches,� he said.

The Commission based its findings for each candidate on a two-part evaluation process. Investigative panels consisting of two lawyers and one lay person conducted the first phase of the process through personal interviews with the candidates and individuals who had professional or personal dealings with them. Upon completion of the interviews, the panels submitted confidential written reports to the Commission outlining a preliminary, non-binding recommendation.

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 four candidates for which ratings were announced had requested to be evaluated by the Commission; however, the Commission will conduct another round of evaluations prior to the May primary should more candidates seek to participate in the process.

The Commission also will conduct evaluations of the appellate justices and judges slated for retention election in 1999. The Commission will issue the retention ratings in the fall.

This year�s judicial evaluation process reflected revisions made based upon recommendations from a special study committee created by PBA President Miller.

Among the changes were the PBA�s acknowledgment of its �ownership� of the Commission by renaming it �The Pennsylvania Bar Association Judicial Evaluation Commission;� maintenance of the number of Commission members at 18, but with a new mix of twelve lawyers and six lay members; appointment of a more politically balanced and ethnically and gender diverse Commission; coordination of the timing of ratings with the major political parties; and the establishment of a reconsideration process for candidates who receive a �Not Recommended� rating.

�The PBA is pleased with the way in which its Commission conducted this round of evaluations. The revisions we made to the process, including reclaiming ownership of the Commission and redefining its make-up, have ensured the integrity of the Commission and its viability,� said PBA President Miller.

This year�s Commission is composed of twelve new appointees and six former members. New lawyer members include Lynne Abraham of Philadelphia County; Chair Michael A. Bloom of Philadelphia County; Samuel T. Cooper III of Dauphin County ; Vice Chair Richard E. Flannery of Lawrence County; PBA President Leslie Anne Miller of Montgomery County; S. E. �Tim� Riley, Jr. of Erie County; PBA President-elect Louis N. Teti of Chester County; H. Woodruff Turner of Allegheny County; and Deborah R. Willig of Philadelphia County. New non-lawyers who have joined the group are Dr. Richard Bell of Berks County; Christine James-Brown of Philadelphia; and Jane G. Pepper of Delaware County.

The six former members who have returned to the Commission are lawyers Susan L. Anderson of Philadelphia County; Chris F. Gillotti of Allegheny County; James R. Ronca of Dauphin County; and non-lawyers Erick Coolidge of Tioga County; Nancy Neuman of Union County; and William B. Northrop Sr. of Washington County.

The Pennsylvania Bar Association is a professional organization that represents the interests of 26,000 lawyers and promotes the legal profession across the commonwealth.

Editor�s Note: Ratings and descriptive paragraphs for each candidate are included. Copies of the questionnaires submitted by the candidates can be obtained from the PBA.

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.

Contact: Marcy Mallory (x2247)
Jennifer Branstetter (x2216)
PBA Communications

Phone: (800) 932-0311
e-mail: [email protected]