Pennsylvania Bar Association Judicial Evaluation Commission Releases First Round of 2021 Ratings for Potential Candidates to Fill Seats on Pennsylvania Appellate Courts

HARRISBURG (Feb. 3, 2021) — The Pennsylvania Bar Association Judicial Evaluation Commission (PBA JEC) today released its ratings of potential judicial candidates seeking to fill one open seat on the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. In the 2021 election, voters also will be filling one seat on the Superior Court of Pennsylvania and two seats on the Commonwealth Court.

An additional round of ratings for potential candidates seeking to fill seats on the Superior Court of Pennsylvania and Commonwealth Court is anticipated to be released tomorrow.

Each candidate requesting an evaluation by the PBA JEC is eligible to receive a rating of “Highly Recommended,” “Recommended” or “Not Recommended.”

These are the PBA JEC’s ratings for the potential candidates:

Supreme Court of Pennsylvania:

Highly Recommended

Judge P. Kevin Brobson (Dauphin County)

Judge Maria C. McLaughlin (Philadelphia County)

Judge Carolyn H. Nichols (Philadelphia County)

Judge Paula A. Patrick (Philadelphia County)

A paragraph explaining each potential candidate’s rating and a link to a questionnaire completed by each potential candidate are below.

“Our commission’s goal is to provide information to assist voters in choosing candidates best suited to serve as fair, impartial and knowledgeable jurists on Pennsylvania’s highest courts,” said Kimberly D. Moses of Allegheny County, chair of the PBA JEC. “Our commission only recommends candidates it finds to have the legal ability, experience, integrity and temperament needed to provide satisfactory or outstanding levels of performance on the appellate courts’ benches.”

The PBA JEC based its ratings for each candidate on a two-part evaluation process. Investigative panels conducted the first phase of the process, which included personal interviews with the candidates and with individuals who have had professional or personal dealings with them. Upon completion of the investigative process, the panels submitted confidential reports to the commission.

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, discussed his or her qualifications and reached consensus on each candidate’s rating.

The four PBA JEC-rated potential candidates for the open seat on the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania have signed the Judicial Conduct Pledge that states they and their campaigns will observe standards of conduct consistent with the integrity, impartiality and independence of the judiciary, and that they will observe those standards in their campaign advertising.

The commission includes lawyer and non-lawyer members from across the state.

Serving with Moses in the leadership of the PBA JEC is Charles Eppolito III of Philadelphia, who is the commission’s vice chair.

Additional lawyer members are Joseph D. Burke of Luzerne County, Jennifer S. Coatsworth of Philadelphia, Lara J. Endler of Luzerne County, Richard A. Estacio of Berks County, Stephanie F. Latimore of Dauphin County, Brian J. Lindsay of Crawford County, Julie K. Miller of Allegheny County, Denise C. Pekelnicky of Erie County and Joel C. Seelye of Blair County.

Non-lawyer members are Victoria A. Connor of York County, Mary A. Coploff of Clinton County, Gregory Cowhey of Philadelphia County, Tim Evans of Luzerne County, Harold E. Flack of Luzerne County and Robert N. Thomas of Erie County.

RATINGS DEFINITIONS

Highly Recommended: The candidate possesses the highest combination of legal ability, experience, 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, experience, 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, experience, 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.

SUPREME COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA

Judge P. Kevin Brobson

Rating: Highly Recommended

The candidate was elected to the Commonwealth Court in 2009 and was retained in 2019 for a second 10-year term. Prior to being elected to the bench, he worked at a law firm for 14 years with a practice including commercial litigation, as well as appellate and administrative law. Since joining the court, the candidate has authored opinions exhibiting his breadth of experience and knowledge of the law. The candidate has distinguished himself by serving as a member and chair of the Judicial Conduct Board of Pennsylvania. He has earned the respect and confidence of his peers on both the Commonwealth and Pennsylvania Supreme courts as evidenced by being elected as president judge of the Commonwealth Court despite not having the most seniority. He also obtained special appointments to the Supreme Court for pending cases and to preside over an expedited bench trial of a case involving a Pennsylvania constitutional matter. The candidate has engaged in a wide range of community service. His commitment to the citizens of Pennsylvania, combined with the high degree of respect and trust of his colleagues and his demonstrated excellence and integrity in his jurisprudence from the bench, leads the commission to highly recommend the candidate as a justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. 

Read the candidate’s questionnaire.

Judge Maria C. McLaughlin

Rating: Highly Recommended

The candidate was elected to the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County in 2011, serving in its Family Court until being elected to the Superior Court in 2017. During her time on the Superior Court, she coordinated and developed policies enabling the court to hold arguments during the pandemic. This task required her to liaise with numerous members of the bench and bar from each of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties. Prior to her election to the bench, the candidate worked for 19 years in the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office where she was appointed chief of the Child Support Enforcement Unit. She managed 18 attorneys and was also appointed director of the Family Justice Center Initiative. In addition, she developed an initiative setting appointments of counsel for child support enforcement cases and a jobs program matching unemployed parents with employers. She participates actively with local and statewide bar associations. She has received awards and recognitions from community, educational and governmental organizations. The candidate is described by other judges and lawyers as hard working, intelligent, patient, caring, approachable, an excellent listener and a superb mentor. Lawyers who appeared before the candidate recount her superior knowledge and practical application of the law. For these reasons, the commission highly recommends her candidacy for the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

Read the candidate’s questionnaire.

Judge Carolyn H. Nichols

Rating: Highly Recommended

The candidate has developed extensive knowledge in numerous areas of the law over the course of her career, having practiced law for 21 years prior to being elected to the Court of Common Pleas in Philadelphia. During her time on that court, she presided over more than 100 bench and jury trials combined. Her ongoing commitment to community involvement includes mentoring at-risk youth in an attempt to steer them away from the criminal justice system. In 2017, she was elected to the Pennsylvania Superior Court. Her excellent research and writing skills were evident in the numerous opinions she submitted for review. Without exception, they were clear, concise and well-reasoned. The candidate is highly respected by her colleagues on the bench, as well as attorneys who have appeared before her. Her demonstrated commitment to ongoing legal and judicial education further strengthens her candidacy. In light of her extensive accomplishments throughout her career, the commission believes the candidate will bring a unique and valuable perspective to her work as a justice on the commonwealth’s highest court. Accordingly, the commission highly recommends her candidacy for a seat on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

Read the candidate’s questionnaire.

Judge Paula A. Patrick

Rating: Highly Recommended

The candidate currently serves on the Court of Common Pleas in Philadelphia County, having been elected in 2003 and retained in 2013. The candidate’s trial court experience is extensive and includes a variety of substantive areas of law, and she oversees appeals from the Philadelphia Municipal Court. Prior to her initial election, the candidate was a sole practitioner with a wide variety of casework provided to a diverse client base. She volunteers in her community, serving as a mentor to at-risk youth and to women in recovery. She has previous legal teaching experience and is a presenter/lecturer for the Pennsylvania Bar Institute, Pennsylvania Bar Association and the National Business Institute Judicial Forum. The candidate is an experienced jurist who is highly regarded by colleagues and attorneys who have appeared before her. She is engaging, energetic, intelligent and passionate about the profession. Her background and experience indicate she has a broad perspective and wide knowledge of the law. Her opinions and legal writings are fair, comprehensive and well-reasoned. The commission believes that the candidate has met the rigorous standards set forth and possesses the highest combination of legal ability, experience, integrity as well as excellent judicial temperament. The commission is confident that the candidate would serve with distinction as a Supreme Court justice and highly recommends her candidacy.

Read the candidate’s questionnaire.

Founded in 1895, the Pennsylvania Bar Association strives to promote justice, professional excellence and respect for the law; improve public understanding of the legal system; facilitate access of legal services; and serve the lawyer members of the state's largest organized bar association.