Superior Court of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia

Harrisburg

Pittsburgh

Court locations

The Superior Court of Pennsylvania is one of two Pennsylvania intermediate appellate courts, the other being the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania. (The subject matter jurisdiction of the Commonwealth Court is limited to decisions of state agencies, and certain cases where the Commonwealth is a party; the Superior Court is the appellate court of general jurisdiction.) Appeal to the Superior Court is generally of right from final decisions of the Court of Common Pleas. Although different panels of three judges may sit to hear appeals, there is only one Superior Court (that is, Pennsylvania is not divided into appellate territories). The court is based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and sits to hear cases in Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia.

Superior Court judges are elected in statewide elections. The term of a Superior Court Judge is 10 years. After serving 10 years, judges may hold their seats if they win a retention vote. Voters have the right to retain or reject (vote out of office) Superior Court judges in Pennsylvania. Superior Court judges must retire from active service at the age of 70. They may serve as Senior Judges though, as approved by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

Superior Court Judges

Commissioned Judges

Name	Born	Elected	Party When First Elected	Year of Next Retention Election	Reaches Age 70	Location	Prior Positions and Education
Susan P. Gantman (President Judge)	(1952-08-08) August 8, 1952 in Norristown, Pennsylvania	2003 (retained in 2013)	Republican	None - final term	August 8, 2022	West Conshohocken	Private Practice (1981-2004); Law Clerk, Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas (1977-1978); J.D., Villanova University School of Law (1977); B.A./M.A., University of Pennsylvania (1974).
Kate Ford Elliott (President Judge Emeritus)	(1949-06-08) June 8, 1949 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania	1989 (retained in 1999 and 2009)	Democratic	None - final term	June 8, 2019	Pittsburgh	Private Practice, Kirkpatrick & Lockhart (1988); Chief Staff Attorney, Superior Court of Pennsylvania (1982–1988); Administrative Assistant, Superior Court of Pennsylvania (1980–1982); Law Clerk, Superior Court of Pennsylvania (1978–1980); J.D., Duquesne University School of Law (1978); Reading Specialist, Pittsburgh Public Schools (1971–1978); M.S. Educ., Duquesne University (1973); B.A., University of Pittsburgh (1971).
John T. Bender (President Judge Emeritus)	(1948-11-06) November 6, 1948 in Jeannette, Pennsylvania	2001 (retained in 2011)	Republican	None - final term	November 6, 2018	Pittsburgh	Magisterial District Judge, Allegheny County (1997-2001); Private Practice; Assistant District Attorney, Allegheny County District Attorney's Office; Law Clerk, Supreme Court of Pennsylvania; J.D., Duquesne University School of Law (1976); B.A., Pennsylvania State University (1970).
Mary Jane Bowes	(1954-07-18) July 18, 1954 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania	2001 (retained in 2011)	Republican	2021	July 18, 2024	Pittsburgh	In-House Counsel, IT Corporation (1998–2001); Private Practice (1986–1998); J.D., University of Pittsburgh School of Law (1979); B.A., Georgetown University (1976).
Jack A. Panella	(1955-05-04) May 4, 1955 in Brooklyn, New York	2003 (retained in 2013)	Democratic	2023	May 4, 2025	Bethlehem	Judge, Northampton County Court of Common Pleas (1991-2003); Private Practice (1982-1991); County Solicitor, Northampton County (1987-1991); Assistant County Solicitor, Northampton County (1982-1987); Law Clerk, Northampton County Court of Common Pleas (1980-1982); J.D., Columbus School of Law, The Catholic University of America (1980); B.S., St. John's University (1977).
Jacqueline O. Shogan	(1953-06-05) June 5, 1953 in Flushing, New York	2007	Republican	2017	June 5, 2023	Monroeville	Private Practice (2002–2007, 1990–1997); Law Clerk, United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania (1997–2001); J.D., Duke University School of Law, 1990; M.S.N., University of Virginia (1981); B.S.N., Temple University (1975).
Anne E. Lazarus	(1952-11-12) November 12, 1952 in Brooklyn, New York	2009	Democratic	2019	November 12, 2022	Philadelphia	Judge, Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas (1991–2009); Private Practice, Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll LLP, (1990–1991); Solo Practitioner, (1980–1990); Law Clerk, Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas (1976–1990); LL.M., Temple University School of Law, 1986; J.D., Temple University School of Law (1976); B.A., State University of New York at Stony Brook (1972).
Sallie Updyke Mundy	(1962-06-29) June 29, 1962 in Elmira, New York	2009	Republican	2019	June 29, 2032	Wellsboro	Private Practice (1988-2009); Volunteer Public Defender, Public Defender's Office of Tioga County; Law Clerk, Tioga County Court of Common Pleas (1987-1988); J.D., University of Pittsburgh School of Law (1987); B.A., Washington and Jefferson College (1984).
Judith Ference Olson	(1957-10-19) October 19, 1957 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania	2009	Republican	2019	October 19, 2027	Pittsburgh	Private Practice (1984–2000); Law Clerk, United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania (1982–1984); J.D., Duquesne University School of Law (1982); B.A., St. Francis College (1979).
Paula Francisco Ott	(1950-09-17) September 17, 1950 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania	2009	Republican	2019	September 17, 2020	West Chester	Judge, Chester County Court of Common Pleas (1992–2009); Private Practice, (1981–1992); Assistant County Solicitor, Chester County Solicitor's Office (1978–1981); Assistant District Attorney, Chester County District Attorney's Office (1975–1978); LL.M., Temple University School of Law (1981); J.D., Temple University School of Law (1975); B.A., University of Delaware (1972).
Victor P. Stabile	(1957-09-14) September 14, 1957 in New York, New York	2013	Republican	2023	September 14, 2027	Harrisburg	Private Practice (1987–2013); Deputy Attorney General (Torts Litigation Unit), Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (1984–1987); Law Clerk, Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania (1982–1984); J.D., Dickinson School of Law (1982); B.A., State University of New York at Stony Brook (1979).
Alice Dubow	(1959-03-25) March 25, 1959 in [unknown]	2015	Democratic	2025	March 25, 2029		Judge, Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas (2007–2016); Deputy General Counsel, Drexel University (2000–2006); private practice (1997–2000); Assistant City Solicitor, Philadelphia County Office of the City Solicitor (1992-1997); private practice (1985-1992); Law Clerk, Bucks County Court of Common Pleas (1984); LL.M., Temple University School of Law (1991); J.D., University of Pennsylvania Law School (1984); B.A., University of Pennsylvania (1981).
Vacant
Vacant
Vacant

Vacancies were created when Judge Cheryl Lynn Allen retired in 2015 and Judges Christine Donohue and David Wecht were elevated to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court on January 4, 2016.

Senior judges: Correale Stevens, John L. Musmanno, James J. Fitzgerald III, William H. Platt, Eugene B. Strassburger III, Patricia Jenkins

See also

• Pennsylvania portal

References

Senior Judges

• John L. Musmanno
• Robert E. Colville
• James J. Fitzgerald, III
• William H. Platt
• Eugene B. Strassburger, III

External links

• Superior Court of Pennsylvania
• Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania
• Recent Superior Court of Pennsylvania Cases by Judge and Topic