Your guide to all the judges running in the 2022 PA general election
Why you should care about voting for judges
- They have ability: Judges set bail amounts and the length of sentencing. They can as well recommend mental wellness and addiction back up services as an alternative to jail.
- They fix the bar: Judges can make and apply their rulings to amplify bug, like prison overcrowding and criminal justice reform.
- They could make up one's mind your fate: With over xl million lawsuits filed every year, in that location is a take a chance you or a loved one may come earlier a estimate.
Who's running for guess in PA in 2021
[Editors annotation: We reached out to all candidates and included answers from the ones who submitted their questionnaire. For the rest, we culled data from their websites. For the most upwardly-to-date information, including candidate's endorsements, visit them online.]
Court of Mutual Pleas Candidates
There are 12 vacancies on this court, which is known as a "general trial jurisdiction court," because the Courts of Mutual Pleas are organized into 60 judicial districts. This court is responsible for hearing criminal and civil cases, including those involving families and children; hearing appeals from the minor courts and appeals not exclusively assigned to another courtroom; and holding ceremonious, criminal and jury trials.
Sample court cases include divorce, property sectionalisation, alimony, custody and child back up, paternity and protection orders. Here's who's running:
Wendi Barish, Democrat
Current position: Senior Deputy General Counsel Interim Vice President of Human Resources for the Philadelphia Housing Authority
Philadelphia Bar rating: Recommended
Null lawmaking: 19106
Barish has a background in employment and ceremonious rights law, and now oversees legal matters for PHA, including issues related to protests over homelessness and police force reform. A Autonomous Committeeperson since 2017, she ran unsuccessfully for approximate in 2022 and 2019. She has served on the boards of several nonprofits, including The Wardrobe and Settlement Music School. Barish, one of 3 siblings who grew upwards in the Northeast with a single mother, says she was inspired by the experience of her older sis, who has disabilities, to go a lawyer to "protect the rights of others likewise as the civil rights laws which I believe people should never have had to fight for."
In her words: "I am invested in my customs and believe every person deserves to be treated with dignity in the court. I have great respect for the law and experience passionate well-nigh applying it equitably and equally. There are several ways I would strive to improve our arrangement of justice. I would do so by recognizing my implicit bias and not allowing it to impact my impartiality. I would besides set the tone in the court and ensure all people are treated with respect. In addition, I would continue to be a legal scholar and not render decisions without being fully acquainted with the relevant police. Finally, I would demonstrate the utmost regard for all judicial codes of deport and ethics." Read her total questionnaire.
Monica North. Gibbs, Democrat
Current position: Banana General Counsel for the Delaware River Port Potency
Philadelphia Bar rating:Not evaluated
Zip lawmaking: We accept contacted Gibbs for more than information
A Philadelphia native, Gibbs is an attorney with a groundwork in ceremonious and criminal litigation. She started her career "representing indigent defendants in criminal court as a staff chaser with the non-profit Defender Association of Philadelphia." Later, she became "a civil litigator with a focus on products, premises and motor vehicle liability." She currently works equally assistant general council for the Delaware River Port Authority, where she "negotiates Commonage Bargaining Agreements and manages labor matters between the Authorization and its represented employees."
In her ain words:TBD
Chris Hall, Democrat
Current position: White Collar criminal defense and government litigation practice.
Philadelphia Bar rating: Highly recommended
Zip lawmaking: 19118
For the past fifteen years, Chris Hall has had his own white neckband criminal defense and government litigation practice. Before that, he worked in the Justice Department, for whom he brought the commencement environmental justice prosecution in Pennsylvania, against a a corporate asbestos dumper who had violated the Make clean Air Human activity, achieving a $1.5 million settlement for residents whose homes in the Cobbs Creek neighborhood of Southwest Philly were damaged; and the first predatory lending prosecution in the country, to stop mortgage brokers and banks preying on communities of color in Due north Philadelphia. Exterior of work, Hall, forth with his wife, co-founded Quantum Wheel Challenge, which raises about $300,000 a year for Penn's Abramson Cancer Center.
In his own words: "Equally the grandson, son, husband, and parent of teachers, I take been taught —and now seek to pass on—the importance of fairness. That is why I am running to serve as a Approximate on the Philadelphia Courtroom of Common Pleas—to ensure equal justice is served for all and to fight systemic racism and sexism within the judicial system." Read his full questionnaire.
Michele Hangley , Democrat
Electric current position: Lawyer, Hangley Aronchick Segal Pudlin & Schiller
Philadelphia Bar rating: Highly Recommended
Zip code: 19147
Michelle Hangley was i of the lead attorneys defending Pennsylvania and local election officials in more than xx lawsuits stemming from the 2022 ballot, and in the 2022 lawsuit over congressional redistricting.
The rest of her practice is divided betwixt legal malpractice cases and a variety of corporate, environmental and civil rights issues. Hangley has served on the board of the Nationalities Service Heart, and been a fellow member of several civic and school groups, including Bella Vista Neighbors' Association.
Hangley, a single female parent who grew up in Philly attending public schools, was one of the "Central Six"—the first girls (controversially) admitted to Central High School just earlier her senior year. She says that experience is key to the piece of work she has done, and takes as her role model for judge The Honorable William Marutani, whose ruling on the case opened the doors to all genders.
In her words: "Judge Marutani's opinion was precise, conscientious, and thorough… I believe that a ruling that reached the aforementioned result, but seemed unfair or one-sided, would accept fanned the flames and made the state of affairs worse for all involved. From this, I learned get-go hand that a estimate'due south advent of fairness and impartiality is more than simply a adept in itself; it has a concrete, positive issue on the mode that litigants and the public reply to the estimate's decisions." Read her total questionnaire.
Nick Kamau , Democrat
Current position: Attorney with Legis Group LLC
Philadelphia Bar rating: Highly Recommended
Zip lawmaking: 19131
Kamau served as a public defender, and then a prosecutor, before turning to civil litigation with a focus on personal injury, civil rights and civil defense. He served as Autonomous counsel for the Congressional Oversight and Authorities Reform Committee under Congressman Elijah Cummings during President Obama'southward tenure, where he worked on voter protection, and the Affordable Care Act. He volunteers at his church.
In his words: "I firmly believe the pursuit of justice is one of the most noble." Kamau did non submit a questionnaire.
Craig Levin , Democrat
Current position: Senior Partner, Friedman & Levin Associates
Philadelphia Bar rating: Recommended
Zippo code: 19103
Previous Public Office Position: Former 8th Ward Committeeperson and Estimate of Elections
Levin estimates that he has handled more than two,000 cases, mostly civil litigation, including personal injury, estate issues, family law, real manor and employment and contract disputes. Levin is Chair of the Legal Department at the Philadelphia Autonomous Party and has been a Committee Person in the 8th Ward, and is besides an arbitrator for the Philadelphia Court of Mutual Pleas, which means that he serves on a panel with other lawyers to make judgements on ceremonious cases of $50,000 or less.
He serves on the Lath of Governors of the Philadelphia Bar Association, is a member of Louis D. Brandeis Law Social club, Justinian Society, NAACP, Philadelphia Trial Lawyers, Pennsylvania Clan for Justice, and New Jersey Association for Justice. Levin is too on the board of the Community Forgiveness and Restoration Initiative, and has served for 10 years as pro-bono counsel to Due south.A.50.E.A, an organization that supports Philadelphia's Spanish-American community, and is a volunteer attorney for the SeniorLaw Center.
In his words: "Not just are nosotros coming into a post pandemic globe, forever transformed, but nosotros are entering a new era where disinterestedness disparity, fairness, impartiality, and a truthful understanding of the meaning of these concepts are more important than ever. On superlative of all these challenges, the significant backlog of cases in our courts has become worse due to the shutdown acquired by Covid-nineteen. As an attorney I take always taken a practical, notwithstanding detailed approach to my cases. Equally a judge, I will continue that approach and take an active interest in the cases that I am assigned to help reduce the backlog of cases. In my experience, when a judge takes a noticeably active interest in a instance, information technology has helped all parties and made information technology more likely that matter would resolve prior to trial." Read his full questionnaire.
Leanne L. Litwin, Democrat
Electric current position:Trial Attorney and Major Trials Judge Pro Tempore, Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County
Philadelphia Bar rating: Not evaluated
Null lawmaking: Nosotros have reached out to Litwin for more than data
A trial attorney for 34 years, Litwin primarily "litigates matters for a wide spectrum of clients, from small business owners to individuals. Her legal practice focuses on three primary areas: civil litigation, criminal defense and family police force." Litwin "has pregnant experience representing defendants charged with violating country and federal laws in the v-county surface area. She has tried hundreds of cases earlier judges, juries and arbitration panels in Land and Federal courts."
In her own words: TBD
Cateria R. McCabe , Democrat
Current position: (Appointed) Judge in the Juvenile Branch of Family Court
Philadelphia Bar rating: Recommended
Zip code: 19150
Previous Public Office Position: Committeeperson 2001-2002; Arraignment Court Magistrate August–December 2019.
As a judge in the Juvenile Branch of Family Court, McCabe hears dependency cases of abused, neglected or truant children; her job is to protect children and preserve families. Immediately prior to her appointment to the bench in 2019, she was an Arraignment Courtroom Magistrate. Before that, she adept law for almost xxx years, including as an Ground forces JAG. McCabe has worked in private exercise, public interest, and for the City of Philadelphia and has served as an arbitrator. She ran unsuccessfully for gauge in 2003, 2005 and 2019.
In her words: "In addition to beingness a legal advocate for my clients, I am committed to efforts to achieve systemic changes that impact many to improve the lives of people who I will never see. While I have been active in community service organizations, participation in advocacy is my passion. The demand for community service is great just systemic changes though effective advocacy will assistance alleviate the need for community service. It is with this spirit that I seek to serve the citizens of Philadelphia." Read her full questionnaire.
Mark Moore , Democrat
Current position: Court of Common Pleas Approximate (appointed 2020)
Philadelphia Bar rating: Highly Recommended
Zip code: 19128
Moore was appointed to the Court of Common Pleas by Governor Wolf in July, 2022 and took the bench in September. He was previously a trial chaser who worked every bit an Banana District Attorney and every bit a civil defense force counsel for Allstate. Moore, who had a brief stint as a announcer, is an active member—with his wife—of New Covenant Church of Philadelphia, and for 10 years was a board member of Northwest Victim Services, which works with crime victims in the 5th, 14th, 35th and 39th Police Districts.
In his words: "I take the fairness, experience, and temperament to serve the citizens of Philadelphia as a Judge. In improver, we need more than qualified Judges of color on the bench. Since taking the demote this past September, still, I have had the pleasure of deciding cases or controversies sitting in the Criminal Division of the Court of Common Pleas in Philadelphia County. It has been a pleasure to preside over cases presented by an exceptionally fine and talented group of lawyers here in the city. It is even more special considering some of these attorneys were my former colleagues and adversaries when I was a practicing trial attorney. " Read his full questionnaire.
John P. Sabatina Jr., Democrat
Current position:Pennsylvania State Senator, 5th Commune
Philadelphia Bar rating: Not evaluated
Zip code: Nosotros take reached out to Sabatina for more info
Sabatina grew up in Northeast Philly, and earned his police force degree from the Widener Academy School of Law. As a sitting state senator, Sabatina is the Democratic Chairman of the Transportation Committee, and sits on several committees, including Agriculture & Rural Diplomacy, Customs Economic & Recreational Development, and Judiciary. Earlier that, he served as the assistant commune attorney under D.A. Lynne Abraham.
In his own words: TBD
Daniel Sulman , Democrat
Electric current position: Court of Common Pleas Gauge
Philadelphia Bar rating: Recommended
Aught code: 19119
Previous Public Office Position: Member of the Lath of Revision of Taxes, Judge of Mutual Pleas, Master in Support in the Domestic Relations Sectionalization
Sulman has served in various capacities in the courts, including as a Master, where he says he presided over x,000 child and spousal support hearings. Gov. Wolf appointed him every bit a guess in 2016. Three years after, he returned to individual exercise, focusing on representing low- and middle-income clients in family law cases, until again beingness appointed in belatedly 2022 as a Common Pleas Court judge. During the pandemic, Sulman served as a gauge for emergency kid custody and protection from abuse cases.
In his ain words: "A estimate should comport proceedings with patience, proper judicial temperament, and respect for the nobility of all who enter the courtroom." Sulman did not submit a questionnaire.
Betsy Wahl, Democrat
Current position: Juvenile Court Hearing Officer
Philadelphia Bar rating: Recommended
Zip code: 19130
Wahl has spent 35 years serving in Philadelphia's courts, including as a public defender and, since 2002, as a Hearing Officeholder in Juvenile Court, where she presides over dispositions, probation reviews and violations, and other delinquency matters. After graduating from the Academy of Pennsylvania, Wahl went to police force school and worked at Harvard Academy'due south Prisoner Assistance Program before returning to Philadelphia. She has presided over the city's Graduated Response Court, designed to plough juveniles around without resorting to long-term placement, and has visited virtually all of Philadelphia's juvenile placements and programs. Outside of work, Wahl has been a tutor for Project Abode and a volunteer "Buddy" for Activeness Health.
In her ain words: "I consider it an honor to exist entrusted to brand the right decisions- and I work tirelessly to practise so. I am running for judge to enable me to practice more than of what I practise at present. I would certainly bring the qualities I utilize as a Hearing Officeholder to a Judgeship. I have the energy and passion to do more, and would welcome the opportunity." Read her total questionnaire.
Philadelphia Municipal Courtroom Candidates
There are five vacancies on the Philadelphia Municipal Court, which is responsible for determining whether serious criminal cases get to the Court of Mutual Pleas; preliminary arraignments and hearings; and setting and accepting bail, except in murder or voluntary manslaughter cases.
Some sample courtroom cases include traffic tickets, landlord-tenant disputes, underage drinking. Hither'due south who's running:
Christian A. DiCicco, Democrat
Current position: Possessor, Law Offices of Christian DiCicco
Philadelphia Bar rating: Not Evaluated
Zip code: We've contacted DiCicco for more data
DiCicco opened his own constabulary office in Philadelphia in 2009, where he specializes in bankruptcy constabulary. He has also worked as a hearing lath fellow member for the City of Philadelphia Tax Review Board, a hearing committee member for the Disciplinary Board of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, and he served every bit Deputy General Counsel for the Pennsylvania Senate.
In her own words: TBD
Michael Lambert, Democrat
Current position: Law Office of Michael Lambert LLC
Philadelphia Bar rating: Not Recommended
Zip code: 19149
Subsequently constabulary school at Temple University, Lambert worked as a public defender, before opening his own firm specializing in personal injury, family, and criminal litigation. He has been practicing law for about 20 years. He is a member of Freedom Temple Church, and has been involved with the basketball camp of the Thomas & Wood Foundation, co-founded by Councilmember Isaiah Thomas.
In his own words: "Years of practise that has taken me to both federal and state courts continually championing the causes of the everyday average citizen gives me the clear competence to run a courtroom. More than importantly, as a Jamaican-American male my life experience will bring the necessary common-sense yet compassionate and insightful life experiences to be able to fashion equitable solutions to a myriad of situations." Read his full questionnaire.
Fran McCloskey, Democrat
Current position: Police force partner at McCullough McLaughlin Mincarelli & McCloskey
Philadelphia Bar rating: Recommended
Zip code: We've reached out to McCloskey for more info
Before joining his current firm, McCloskey spend seven years at the District Chaser'southward Part of Philadelphia. There he was assigned to the Gun Violence Task Force, where he "fluent in Pennsylvania gun laws." He writes that he is "intimately familiar with the myriad diversion programs offered within the courtroom system and an expert at navigating the ofttimes catchy passages to those programs."
In his own words: TBD
George Twardy , Democrat
Current position: Common Pleas Court judge
Philadelphia Bar rating: Recommended
Zip code: 19145
Twardy was appointed to the family division of Common Pleas Court in June 2020, subsequently running a private do that focused on worker's bounty, personal injury, criminal defence force and administrative law. He has besides served as a custody hearing officer and truancy hearing officer in the Showtime Judicial Court.
In his words: "At a time when public confidence in our justice system is at an all time low, I am committed to bringing integrity and fairness to the bench." Twardy did not submit a questionnaire.
Gregory Yorgey-Girdy , Democrat
Current position: Lawyer, Potter Anderson Corroon LLP
Philadelphia Bar rating: Recommended
Zip code: 19145
Previous Public Role Position: Autonomous Committeeperson for the 48th Ward
Yorgey-Girdy began his professional career working for the Metropolis of Philadelphia as an Assistant City Solicitor in the Claims Unit of measurement before joining the firm Potter Anderson Corroon LLP, where he led the firm'south conflict management efforts. Yorgey-Girdy has been a fierce abet for often marginalized communities including the LGBT+ customs and people of colour in Philadelphia. He has been involved with several civic groups, including PhillySetGo, Liberty City Autonomous Gild, West Passyunk Neighborhood Association, Kickoff District Police force Advisory Committee and as a lead organizer for the Philly Queer March for Blackness Lives. In Jan, Yorgey-Girdy penned an op-ed for the Inquirer making the case that 2021's judicial elections are crucial for racial justice.
In his own words: "As the father of three young, mixed race children, I take been driven to do whatever I can to create the earth I believe they deserve—a world where they are not in danger, much less treated unfairly because of the color of their skin… I am running for gauge because I believe I would be an effective and outspoken advocate for a change to court culture that takes into business relationship the cherry flags raised by the CURE study. I am committed to working toward a transparent and fair courtroom system that celebrates various judges and staff and that inspires trust among those the court intends to serve." Read his full questionnaire.
Estimate of the Democracy Courtroom Candidates
There are ii vacancies on the Commonwealth Court, which hears ceremonious cases involving state or local government. It also hears appeals and sometimes sits as a trial court in certain cases brought by or against the Commonwealth, such as a constitutional challenge to a state police or a tax dispute. Pennsylvania has the but courtroom like it in the country.
- Lori A Dumas, Democrat
- Recommended by both the Philadelphia and Pennsylvania bar associations
- Read Ameliorate Civics' Q&A with Dumas here
- David Lee Spurgeon, Democrat
- Highly recommended by the PA Bar Association
- Read Better Civics' Q&A with Spurgeon here
- Drew Crompton, Republican
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- Recommended by the PA Bar Association
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- Stacy Marie Wallace, Republican
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- Not recommended past the PA Bar Association
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Estimate of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania Candidates
There is i vacancy open in 2022 on the Superior Court of Pennsylvania, which serves as the appeals court for most citizens and businesses. It is one of the busiest intermediate appellate courts in the land, receiving hundreds of thousands of filings per yr and deciding more than 8,000 individual cases.
- Timika Lane, Democrat
- Read Better Civics' Q&A with Lane here
- Recommended past both the Philadelphia and Pennsylvania bar associations
- Megan Sullivan, Republican
- Recommended past the Pennsylvania Bar Association
Justice of the Supreme Court Candidates
At the top of the pyramid sits the Supreme Court, the highest court in the Commonwealth and the oldest appellate court in the nation. In that location is one vacancy on this court, which is known equally the "court of last resort" and tin assume jurisdiction over any case in the PA court system. Seven justices serve on the Courtroom and their chore is to make the terminal judgment in interpreting PA's laws and Constitution.
- Maria McLaughlin, Democrat
- Highly recommended by both the Philadelphia and Pennsylvania bar associations
- Kevin Brobson, Republican
- Highly recommended by both the Philadelphia and Pennsylvania bar associations
Hillary Practise, Natalie Parker, and Julie Platt contributed to the reporting for this piece.
Source: https://thephiladelphiacitizen.org/judges-pa-2021/
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