Retention Candidates
President Judge Jack A. Panella
Rating: Recommended for Retention
The candidate is currently the president judge of the Superior Court and has served on that court for nearly 20 years after having served as a trial judge for 12 years. He is extremely well regarded by his colleagues and has an excellent reputation for high moral character, integrity and professionalism. His legal opinions are well-written and well-reasoned. He is known to have an exceptional judicial temperament, to be well-prepared and to treat everyone fairly and with respect. The candidate possesses outstanding administrative skills. For the reasons stated above, the commission recommends the candidate’s retention as a judge on the Superior Court of Pennsylvania.
Read the candidate’s questionnaire.
See the candidate’s signed Judicial Candidate’s Pledge.
Judge Victor P. Stabile
Rating: Recommended for Retention
The candidate has served on the Superior Court of Pennsylvania for the past 10 years, having first been elected to the bench in 2013. The candidate is highly regarded by his peers and is described by lawyers and judges alike as having a positive judicial temperament and broad legal knowledge. The candidate’s judicial opinions are uniformly well-reasoned and thorough and his decision to seek retention after a decade on the bench is reflective of his longstanding dedication to the profession. For the reasons stated above, the commission recommends the candidate’s retention as a judge on the Superior Court of Pennsylvania.
Read the candidate’s questionnaire.
See the candidate’s signed Judicial Candidate’s Pledge.
Candidates seeking to fill two seats:
Maria Battista
Rating: Not Recommended (for failure to participate)
Jill L. Beck
Rating: Highly Recommended
The candidate practices in the areas of commercial litigation, discrimination and appellate matters at a law firm. She previously served in clerkships for the Superior Court of Pennsylvania and Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, where she gained a decade of appellate court experience drafting hundreds of opinions related to civil, criminal, family and juvenile law and orphan’s court matters. Prior to her clerkships, the candidate practiced at KidsVoice Inc., managing an extensive caseload of matters related to abused and neglected children. The candidate is active in organized bar associations and is highly regarded by members of the bench and bar. She is intelligent, focused and displays a temperament exhibiting patience, open-mindedness, tact and humility. She possesses the highest combination of legal ability, experience and integrity. The commission is confident the candidate is capable of outstanding performance as a Superior Court of Pennsylvania judge and highly recommends her candidacy.
Read the candidate’s questionnaire.
See the candidate’s signed Judicial Candidate’s Pledge.
Judge Timika R. Lane
Rating: Highly Recommended
The candidate has served on the Court of Common Pleas in Philadelphia County since 2013. Her trial court experience is extensive. She has overseen criminal appeals from the Philadelphia Municipal Court, presided over criminal cases in the Major Trials program, and handled investigative grand jury matters. Currently, she is assigned to the court’s Civil Trial Division, handling civil motions and jury/bench trials. The candidate’s writing is well-reasoned, clear and concise. Prior to her tenure on the court, she spent more than a decade in private practice with a majority of her practice related to family law. She also previously served as a public defender, civil arbitrator, child advocate and chief counsel. She demonstrates her commitment to the legal profession by serving as an instructor for continuing legal education courses and other educational activities. The candidate has extensive community involvement, demonstrating her commitment to public service. The commission is confident the candidate is capable of outstanding performance as a Superior Court of Pennsylvania judge and highly recommends her candidacy.
Read the candidate’s questionnaire.
See the candidate’s signed Judicial Candidate’s Pledge.
Judge Harry F. Smail Jr.
Rating: Recommended
The candidate has served as a Westmoreland County Court of Common Pleas judge since 2014. Prior to his service on the bench, the candidate was a sole practitioner in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, for many years representing clients in a wide range of civil, criminal, employment and family litigation at both the state and federal levels. As a judge, he has been thorough in overseeing complex civil litigation and orphans court matters. He is well respected by the legal community and is regarded as well-prepared to hear the diverse matters before him when presiding over his courtroom. The commission found his legal writing to be well-reasoned, clear and concise. The candidate has given time to an array of cultural, community and professional organizations. Based on his extensive background, legal ability and temperament, the commission believes the candidate possesses the skills required to capably serve at the appellate level and recommends his election to the Superior Court of Pennsylvania.
Read the candidate’s questionnaire.
See the candidate’s signed Judicial Candidate’s Pledge.