The Honorable Sandra Schultz Newman
Supreme Court
Rating: Recommended
Justice Newman was elected to the Supreme Court in 1996 after serving as a Judge on the
Commonwealth Court for two years. Prior to becoming a Judge, Justice Newman was in
private practice for twenty years, and before that served for two years as an Assistant
District Attorney in Montgomery County. During her term on the Supreme Court, Justice
Newman has earned a reputation as a dedicated, intelligent and hard working jurist who
possesses a keen business sense and an ability to understand complex issues. She is an
independent thinker, well prepared, attentive, and respectful of counsel during argument
before the Court. Her written opinions reflect a thorough understanding of the facts and
the record below and are clear, well written and logical. In the performance of her
administrative duties on the Court, Justice Newman has proven to be an able
administrator, especially in her position as liaison to the First Judicial District
(Philadelphia County) of Pennsylvania. Her numerous community activities, honors and
awards speak to her long-term devotion to her community, to the Commonwealth, and to
the improvement of equal justice under the law. Justice Newman is held in high esteem
by her judicial colleagues, by those who have appeared before her and by those who have
worked with her. She unquestionably has earned the right to be retained on the
Commonwealth's highest Court.
The Honorable Russell M. Nigro
Supreme Court
Rating: Recommended
Prior to his election to the Supreme Court Justice Nigro was in private practice for fifteen
years and then served as a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County
from 1987 until 1995. Justice Nigro has served with distinction on the Pennsylvania
Supreme Court since 1995. He is highly regarded within the legal community for his
fairness, work ethic, judicial temperament and integrity. He is respectful and courteous to
all parties who appear before the Court. Even parties who have been unsuccessful before
him have acknowledged that he is well prepared, even-handed, courteous and thorough.
He has exhibited a keen interest in administrative issues of the Court and in the regulation
of Pennsylvania's attorneys. His opinions are well written, cogent and readily understood.
Justice Nigro is a jurist who "calls it as he sees it." He has demonstrated all of the
qualities requisite to a Justice of the Supreme Court and has fulfilled with enthusiasm and
conscientiousness his responsibilities on the Court during his initial term. His
independence, work ethic and commitment to enhancing the quality of justice in
Pennsylvania all clearly warrant that Justice Nigro be retained as a member of
Pennsylvania's highest Court.