HARRISBURG (Jan. 13, 1999) - Pennsylvania Bar Association President Leslie Anne Miller today announced the creation of the PBA Council on Judicial Independence, a group of PBA and local bar association leaders and former members of the judiciary charged with assisting the media and the public in understanding judicial decisions and the justice system.

�Pennsylvania�s judges do important work that is not always clearly understood or adequately appreciated. Far too often, judges cannot defend themselves properly regarding case decisions, because of ethical restrictions on public comment. As such, the PBA�s Council will work to address and clarify any misunderstandings of the law and the role of judges for the public and the media,� said Miller.

The PBA Council on Judicial Independence is chaired by PBA Past President Thomas L. Cooper of Pittsburgh; former Philadelphia Bar Chancellor Francis P. Devine III of Philadelphia; and former Franklin County Bar President Martha Baum Walker of Chambersburg. Edward W. Madeira, Jr., one of the founders of the American Bar Association�s Council on Judicial Independence, serves as honorary chair. The PBA�s group is modeled after ABA Council, which was created last year.

The PBA�s Council has two components: the Judicial Response Division and the Public Education Division.

The Judicial Response Division is composed of 21 regional �Judicial Response Teams.� When a judge�s decision or reputation is questioned or attacked, the local response team will gather information regarding the judge and determine whether a public response or explanation is warranted. When appropriate, a response will be issued to the media by the PBA president and local county bar president.

The Public Education Division, chaired by Lehigh County President Judge James Knoll Gardner, has been charged with creating educational programs about fundamental concepts of the law and justice and the role of jurists in our society. Membership in the division includes sitting judges, legal educators, and lawyers from throughout the state.

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