Issue 1, 2019

newsletter of the administrative office of pa courts 2019-2020 Judicial Budget Request In 2018 courts . . . saved more than reduced number of days in care by

reduced number of $40 children in care by 951 million thousand in federal, state and 4,300 county dollars.

utilized a social media outreach campaign to protection educate the public about orders. The campaign included digital ads on Facebook, Instagram and Google, pointing users to detailed step-by-step videos available in both English and Spanish on how to file PA COURTS protection orders. The campaign was federally funded by the STOP Grant program CAN HELP through the U.S Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women.

facilitated designed and developed the 40,443 Guardianship Tracking System requests for interpreters. which protects vulnerable citizens by improving how the courts monitor legal guardians and simplifying the filing process.

AOPConnected takes a look at the Unified Judicial System’s 2019-20 budget request to the legislative and executive branches. Saving Tax Dollars

The judiciary is committed to Funding spending taxpayer dollars wisely, and has saved over $10 million in Sources the past year.

Since 2009, fee revenue has been used $5.46 million to fund a portion of the judiciary’s annual Realignment of magisterial budget, currently about 13% of the total. district courts $3.4 million Benefits/salary Proposed 2019-20 Budget

$371.5 $113.9 $1.29 million million million Contract savings State tax funds Fees $1.9 $440,000 million Other/personnel Total budget $487.3 Federal funds

The judiciary receives about ½ of 1% of the state budget. Over the past 11 years, the judiciary has saved $102.4 million.

2 2 Senior Judge Assignments Fall

A two-year pilot program began in July 2018 to review the use of senior judges Collections within the Courts of Common Pleas, using data from the Judicial Needs Assessment (JNA). Rise

Comparing month-to-month data from 2017-2018, the period of July to October Collecting fines, fees, costs and saw a more than 12% decrease in the restitution is a priority for the judiciary – number of assignments. with $483 million collected in 2018 alone. These dollars flow back into the state The JNA is also available for use in budget and Pennsylvania communities, helping to determine whether county and to victims of crimes. judicial complements are appropriate.

Senior judge assignments State ($239 million) saw a more than

Local governments ($201 million)

12%decrease Victims of crime ($39 million) from July to October, 2017 to 2018. Airports, parking authorities, libraries, schools, etc. ($3.9 million)

Over the past 10 years, the judiciary has collected $4.65 billion.

3 3 Problem-Solving Courts

In 2017 . . .

Among32,506 successful graduates, 1,576 hours of community service participants graduated successfully completed by problem-solving from problem-solving court programs. court participants. 541 378 of the participants discharged in 2017 became employed between improved their level of education between admission and discharge. time of admission and discharge.

Breaking New Ground in Judicial Education

Topics of judicial education: Pennsylvania judges Autism, Bail, attended Fairness and Access, Mental Health, 37,6 7 2 PFAs, Security, total hours of Self-Representation continuing education. and Trauma

Chief Justice Thomas G. Saylor Justice Justice Justice Justice Kevin M. Dougherty Justice David N. Wecht Justice 4 Combating elder abuse in Pennsylvania

The Advisory Council on Elder Justice in the Courts’ latest Progress Report published in January details the efforts of the Advisory Council and the Office of Elder Justice in the Courts (OEJC) since the creation of the initial Elder Law Task Force in 2013.

Of the 130 recommendations made in the Elder Law Task Force’s Report, 70 have been completed and 35 are (l to r) Judge Lois Murphy, Judge Sheila Woods-Skipper, Judge Paula Francisco Ott, Justice Debra Todd currently in progress.

“This report is evidence of which at least one of the victims is age judges and court staff on elder abuse Pennsylvania’s strong commitment 60 or older. and exploitation, and has piloted to protecting its elders,” said training for family and lay guardians Additionally, the Supreme Court Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice about their powers, duties and approved a proposal to begin a pilot Debra Todd. “I am deeply grateful to responsibilities. all those who have contributed to the Elder Court Project in , Furthermore, educational material many successes detailed in the report, which included the creation of the including brochures and posters were and who are affecting real change Elder Justice & Civil Resource Center created by the OEJC and distributed to in the way that our commonwealth that opened in 2016. Through the all common pleas, magisterial district combats elder abuse.” Center, volunteer attorneys and advocates provide direct services and municipal courts. Enhanced judicial on legal issues as they relate to administration elders including training programs “The Advisory Council and OEJC are on landlord/tenant, mental health committed to increasing awareness One of the most notable achievements issues and financial exploitation. Since about the warning signs of elder abuse of the Advisory Council has been the opening, the center has provided and how to report it to help protect creation and implementation of the assistance to hundreds of elders and vulnerable elders in Pennsylvania,” said Guardianship Tracking System (GTS), their families. Director of the OEJC, Cherstin Hamel. which will allow the courts to better monitor active guardianships through a Education efforts Best practices uniform statewide process. As part of their continuing efforts Numerous and significant best practices were adopted and As of December, the GTS has to help educate judges, court staff, implemented that will help ensure the successfully launched in all counties attorneys, guardians, the public and protection of Pennsylvania’s elders statewide. others about the warning signs of elder abuse, the Advisory Council and the – including the holding of periodic Among the system’s numerous OEJC have worked closely with the hearings to monitor the status of a advantages are the ability for AOPC/Judicial Education team. guardianship, timely completion and guardians to file annual reports and filing of inventories and annual reports, inventories online, as well as the ability Together, they have developed and the provision of oral and written for judges to effectively communicate a conducted statewide training programs instructions to guardians at their time concern regarding a specific guardian for judges handling guardianship of appointment. in the form of a statewide alert. cases. In addition, the Advisory Council will be releasing (in early 2019) While there is still work to be done, this Another judicial automation two judicial resources – a Guardian report offers a moment of reflection on enhancement of note is the update Benchbook and an Elder Abuse the magnitude and significance of the to both the common pleas and Benchbook. steps that are being taken to better magisterial district judge case protect Pennsylvania’s rapidly growing management systems to track cases in The OEJC has also developed and population of elders. presented educational sessions for 5 Five universal truths Martial arts for the of human interaction mouth and mind People feel the need Treating people with dignity and respect 1 to be respected People would rather The AOPC held its second “Once I learned this, I sought be asked than told largest webinar to date information on verbal conflict 2 with over 200 employees de-escalation techniques People have a desire participating. The hour-long and verbal judo seemed 3 to know why webinar, “Verbal Judo” to be the best option for People prefer to have was led by Judicial District our audience,” Ramberger 4 options over threats Security Analyst, explained. Kyle People want to have Ramberger. a second chance Verbal judo provides 5 The webinar aimed to participants with the tools teach court staff how needed to defuse verbal to appropriately and aggression before it Instead of saying: effectively handle verbal escalates.” confrontation with the end “Come here!” goal of generating voluntary Additionally, the webinar Try saying: compliance. included common phrases that people should refrain Kyle Ramberger, Judicial District “Can we talk?” Ramberger explained from using, along with Security Analyst that the idea for the alternative phrases that webinar stemmed from could help defuse the Judicial Security’s review situation rather than escalate The webinar concluded with Instead of saying: of Pennsylvania Judicial it. a Q & A session, along with Incident Reporting System some security tips to use “Calm down!” (PAJIRS) reports, which The webinar was very well- when verbal judo doesn’t Try saying: indicated that the leading received and employees work, reminding court staff submitted positive feedback. security incident court staff to check their court duress “It’s going to experienced over the past A second verbal judo systems monthly and to five years was inappropriate webinar will be offered in report all security incidents be okay.” verbal conduct. early 2019. in PAJIRS.

it is important for them to be able to Engaging with members of express the gender with which they identify.

the transgender community However, this can only be accomplished when others understand Following a similar theme, the Mazzoni Center in Philadelphia, a and respect them – which is the AOPC recently held a “Transgender group that focuses on meeting the ultimate goal behind these types of Awareness” webinar that emphasized health and wellness needs of LGBTQ trainings. the importance of conveying respect communities. and openness to everyone – being Some of the advice that the webinar especially mindful of a person’s gender The webinar focused on training court gave court staff included: identity and expression. staff how to better understand and respectfully engage with members of • Honor a person’s request to be It was organized by Judicial Programs the transgender community. called by a different name, even Administrator Rick Pierce and was the if it doesn’t match their legal largest AOPC webinar yet with over The program presenters explained documents; and 300 court staff participating statewide. that when a person identifies with a different gender than their one • If you see a person being mocked The speakers and content for the assigned at birth, it causes an or disrespected, make a correction presentation were provided by the internal struggle; and to resolve this, or report it to someone who can.

6 Highlighting Editors Black History Stacey Witalec Month in the Kim Bathgate courts Writer Casey Scheffler In honor of Black History Month, the AOPC interviewed Contributors several Pennsylvania judges Patti Campbell to talk about what Black Rhonda Hocker History Month means to Stephen Baldwin each of them and how they approach diversity in the Watch the three-minute video at Graphic Design http://www.pacourts.us/news-and- Gretchen Smith courtroom. INFORMATIONmore statistics/media-resources. Photography Justin Scott

Court Administrator of PA Saluting an Tom Darr impressive Assistant Court Administrator of PA track record of Andrea B. Tuominen, Esq. All content is collected, written court service and edited by the AOPC Communications Office Major Tom Hargis is living proof that unless noted. age is just a number. At 96 years old, You may reach the office Hargis works at the Dauphin County Major Tom Hargis and Judge Jeannine Turgeon by calling: (717) 231-3300 courthouse as a court clerk to Judge or by emailing: In 1988, Hargis started with Dauphin Jeannine Turgeon, Court of Common [email protected] County in the Prothonotary’s office Pleas. before moving to the Clerk of Court’s For more information about Born in a small town in Maryland, office, working in various judges’ Pennsylvania’s courts, visit the UJS website at: www.pacourts.us Hargis grew up during the Great courtrooms before being assigned to Twitter @PACourts Depression where his family got by Judge Turgeon’s courtroom in 1992 – when he was pushing 70 years old. Facebook @pennsylvaniacourts through farming and share-cropping. Instagram @pennsylvaniacourts “After graduating from the Salisbury “He helped me learn my way,” said Supreme Court of Pennsylvania Colored High School, unemployment Judge Turgeon. “He drives to work every day – rain or shine, and has was extremely high and the only Thomas G. Saylor worked alongside me some nights work available for the most part Chief Justice of Pennsylvania was farming work, which lead to my until 8 or 9 p.m. With only a 15-minute decision to volunteer for the U.S. break for lunch on crammed days, he Max Baer Army on Feb. 12, 1941,” said Hargis. has never once complained.” Justice

After Pearl Harbor, Hargis was “He is wise. He is kind. He is a team Debra Todd deployed for special training in land player,” added Judge Turgeon. “I Justice and water amphibious vehicles in admire him immensely and will preparation for shipment into the be forever grateful to whomever Christine Donohue Theater of Operations in the South assigned him to take care of me and Justice Pacific. my courtroom 27 years ago.” Kevin M. Dougherty In 1944, Hargis participated in the Hargis has five children, and says that Justice landing of U.S. Forces as part of the outside of work, he enjoys spending David N. Wecht Philippines Liberation invasion under time with his family and gardening. Justice the command of General MacArthur. This past November, Governor Tom He served in the Army Reserve for Wolf sent Hargis a proclamation for Sallie Updyke Mundy th Justice many years until 1975 when he was his 96 birthday, thanking him for his honorably discharged with the rank dedicated service to both the country of Major. and the commonwealth. 7 Judge John Driscoll with newly adoptive family. Shirts read: Families don’t have to match when their hearts do. Celebrating Adoption Day in Westmoreland County

Westmoreland County courthouse was After having been placed in the system filled with lots of smiles and hugs as when he was three years old, Ryan had court staff celebrated Adoption Day in been bounced around homes nearly November the best way imaginable. 22 times.

Westmoreland County Common Pleas “People don’t understand how hard it Judges John Driscoll and Jim Silvis is to go through what we have,” Ryan oversaw the adoptions of eight happy said. “You just have to keep trying until Rob, Ryan and Barb Stokes children who found their permanent you break through and get to know us. homes and forever families that day. Once you get to know us, you’ll like us.” of Children and Families in the Courts, “Child protection has such an Sandy Moore. enormous workload and occasionally, Ryan’s adoptive mother, Barb Stokes, termination of parental rights must was the secretary at Ryan’s high school While the goal initially is almost always occur,” said Judge Driscoll. “It is sad when she learned that he was going to to safely reunite a child with their bio- and difficult when this happens, but be moved to yet another home. logical family, when this is not possible, National Adoption Day is a day filled Pennsylvania law encourages anyone with joy.” “I’ve had a good life, and it broke my who knows and cares for a child to heart to know he had gone through so step forward and become that forever Among the many smiling faces in the much in life,” Barb said. “He deserved family.” courtroom was little Kareem, whose to have the same things in life that I’ve smile didn’t leave his face the whole had.” When asked how he was going to hearing, while repeatedly asking, “Am I celebrate with his new family, Ryan adopted yet?” Barb and her husband, Rob asked said he was excited to take a trip to the Ryan if he wanted to come live with beach this summer – something he’s Kareem was adopted by Jennifer and them, and on Nov. 29, they officially never done. Dale Shawley, who had previously welcomed him into their family. adopted his half-brother. Having already been accepted to “Nearly half of the children in the three colleges, Ryan has a bright Another particularly moving story was Pennsylvania foster care system are future ahead of him, with plans to go to that of a 17-year-old boy, Ryan Stokes. teenagers,” said Director of the Office college for nursing. 8 Women in the Pennsylvania Judiciary info PACOU RTS

As of February 2019 . . . There are three women serving on the of Pennsylvania’s seven-member Pennsylvania Supreme Court: active judges are women 30% Justice Debra Todd Women on the bench in other PA courts: Justice Christine Donohue

Justice Common Pleas Judges Sallie Updyke Mundy 32% 134 women / 284 men / 40 vacancies

The majority of Superior and Commonwealth Courts are women: Magisterial District Judges Superior Commonwealth 26% 128 women / 371 men / Court Court 13 vacancies 11 women 6 women

Philadelphia Municipal Court 33% 8 women / 16 men / 1 vacancy 3 men 1 vacancy 3 men

The president judge of Commonwealth Court is a woman:

Irene Bizzoso, Esq., Prothonotary, Supreme Court of Pennsylvania Hon. Mary Hannah Leavitt

Gicine Brignola, Esq., Executive Director, Pennsylvania Board of Law Examiners

Kristen W. Brown, Esq., Prothonotary 14 women serve as president judges Commonwealth Court in Courts of Common Pleas.

Cathy Kane, Court Administrator, Court of Judicial Discipline Hon. Sara M. Soffel Hon. Juanita Kidd Stout Stephanie Libhart, Executive Director, Interest on Lawyers Trust Account Board (IOLTA) was the first woman was the first elected African appointed as a judge American female judge in the Kathryn Peifer Morgan, Esq., Executive Director, in Pennsylvania nation – and the first African Pennsylvania Lawyers Fund for Client Security (Allegheny County). American woman to serve on Andrea Tuominen, Esq., any state Supreme Court. Assistant Court Administrator of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia County).

9**Data compiled February 2019. 9 CLE credits for pro bono work

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court recently approved a three-year pilot program that began on Jan. 1, 2019, allowing attorneys to receive Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credits in exchange for offering their legal services pro bono.

Registered, active Pennsylvania attorneys can receive one CLE credit for every five hours of pro bono work they complete with a legal aid organization that has been approved by the Pennsylvania Continuing Legal Dan Levering and Katey Buggy Education Board.

The pilot program allows attorneys low-income Pennsylvanians,” said Dan “Emeritus status and the CLE for pro to receive a maximum of three CLE Levering, CLE Board administrator. bono pilot project are important Court credits annually. initiatives we have been happy to be Attorneys under this status will only involved with,” added Katey Buggy, Additionally, the Supreme Court have to complete eight annual CLE CLE Board associate administrator. adopted a new rule last May that credits instead of the standard 12 allows retired attorneys to volunteer credits that are required for active They are an example of using goals of their services pro bono under a new attorneys. the CLE Board to connect lawyers with “emeritus” status. legal service providers and hopefully Prior to applying for emeritus status, boost pro bono participation.” “It used to be that you couldn’t practice retired attorneys must complete six once you’re retired, but this new hours of continuing legal education emeritus status allows retired attorneys within a year of submitting their more INFORMATION Learn more at www.pacle.org. the ability to continue practicing, while application to the Office of Attorney performing a much-needed service to Registration.

New rule provides direction to attorneys with unclaimed funds in their IOLTA account

For several years, the IOLTA Board has received calls from their rightful owner for at least two years, any unidentifiable attorneys seeking guidance on the ethical distribution of or unclaimed funds may be transferred to the IOLTA Board unclaimed and unidentifiable funds in their IOLTA trust for safekeeping. account. The funds may be reclaimed if the rightful owner is identified This is an especially common question when an attorney is or located at a later time. winding down a law practice in preparation for retirement or when his or her attempts to contact a former client are Directing unclaimed and unidentifiable funds to the IOLTA unsuccessful. Board advances the mission of funding civil legal assistance for low-income and disadvantaged Pennsylvanians since the Fortunately, Pennsylvania Rule of Professional Conduct beneficial interest from the funds remains a source of legal 1.15(v) was recently adopted and will be able to provide this aid funding. necessary guidance.

The new rule provides that after reasonable efforts have more INFORMATION For additional information and to access the related forms, been undertaken to reunite funds in an IOLTA account with please visit https://www.paiolta.org/unclaimed-funds/.

10 l to r: Conference attendees at Crowne Plaza in Harrisburg, Drug Court Commissioner Judge Peggy Davis from Greene County, Missouri Mental health courts: Changing the face of criminal justice and changing lives

Pennsylvania’s problem-solving courts Court Commissioner, Judge Peggy She shared some of her own held their first statewide mental health Davis from Greene County, Missouri. experiences using Motivational courts training this past December Interviewing methods, and during a two-day conference at the demonstrated effective rebuttal Crowne Plaza in Harrisburg. “In order to get a statements for court staff to use when defendant to change talking to defendants who are resistant Over 125 people attended the to changing their behavior. conference sponsored by AOPC with their behavior, you almost every mental health court in the Some of these methods include: state represented. have to understand • Asking a person’s permission to give The conference agenda included and explore their own feedback before responding a wide range of keynote speakers including mental health researchers personal motivations,” • Acknowledging what a person has and advocates, as well as experienced said while pointing out contradictory problem-solving court judges and said Judge Davis. statements program administrators from across the • Helping relate a person’s past country. “Rehabilitation is the paramount success/challenges to their present purpose of sentencing for most people, “The purpose of this training was for efforts to change. and judges can begin and support our teams to gain the valuable insight this process by adopting Motivational Judge Davis concluded the and advice that these speakers had to Interviewing methods,” said Judge presentation by commending court offer, and to take that back and apply Davis. staff for the important work they do. it in their own courts,” said Angela Sobol Lowry, problem-solving courts Judge Davis explained that the overall “Drug addiction, mental health issues— administrator. goal of all problem-solving courts is these are battles; and you all should be to get the defendant to change their proud to help fight this battle.” Among the many training topics behavior, and defendants are far covered at the conference was more likely to change when they are Motivational Interviewing, led by Drug motivated to do so. 11 Legislative roundup by Damian J. Wachter, Esq.

A new session of the General Assembly commenced with swearing-in ceremonies in both chambers and a joint session on January 1.

Legislative Action - With only a few session days completed thus far, the legislative calendar has been light. The most Make up of the House: prominent action was the passage of Senate Resolution 110 Republicans, 91 Democrats and two vacancies 20 by a vote of 31-18. The resolution directs the Legislative (filled by special election on March 12). Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a study of the impact of venue in medical professional liability cases on Make up of the Senate: medical care access and system maintenance. The study 28 Republicans, 21 Democrats and one vacancy must be completed by Jan. 1, 2020. (filled by special election on April 2). The resolution requests that the Pennsylvania Supreme Court delay action on proposed amendments to the Rules of Civil Procedure Rule governing venue in medical liability cases until completion of the study. Judiciary Committee - New chairs were appointed in three of the four Judiciary Committee seats. In the House, Coming Up - It is expected over the next few months the Representative Rob Kauffman from Franklin County will legislature will vote to: serve as the majority chair and Representative Tim Briggs from Montgomery County was appointed the Democratic 1. Establish a victims rights amendment to the chair. constitution

In the Senate, Senator Lisa Baker from Luzerne, Pike, 2. Explore advancing a second Justice Reinvestment Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming Counties was Initiative; and appointed as the majority chair. Senator Daylin Leach from 3. Debate reforms to statutory probation provisions. Montgomery County was reappointed as Democratic chair, but he has temporality stepped aside from his chairmanship role. An acting Democratic chair has not yet been named.

{Damian Wachter, Esq. is the assistant director of Legislative Affairs.}

12 Around the Judiciary extraordinary leadership and support of those in the problem-solving court field in Pennsylvania. (l to r): President Judge Russell B. Shurtleff, Court of Common Pleas, Wyoming-Sullivan County; Senior Judge John Leete, Court of Common Pleas, Potter County; and President Judge Stephen P. B. Minor, Court of Common Pleas, Potter County. Superior Court Judge Carolyn Nichols joined Pennsylvania Representative Margo Davidson for the fourth annual Public Safety Joint announcement by Board Forum in Upper Darby. of Commissioner's Chair Dr. Valerie Arkoosh and President Judge Thomas DelRicci on the establishment of the Montgomery County Family Justice Advisory Board (FJAB). The mission of FJAB is to examine and address Family Judge Kim Berkeley Clark during Court issues from a systemic and swearing in ceremony as President policy perspective, and recommend Judge for Court of Common Pleas, ways in which the Court, public Allegheny County. agencies and private organizations The AOPC’s Judicial District can efficiently, effectively and Operations department conducted collaboratively improve the process, workshops on “Preventing and programs and institutions. Responding to Domestic and (l to r) Kenneth Lawrence, county Sexual Violence in Courthouse commissioner, Family Court Judge Dan Clifford, Family Court Administrative Workplaces” across the state. This Judge Carolyn Carluccio, Board of free one-day training was delivered Commissioner's Chair, Dr. Valerie by Futures Without Violence, a Arkoosh, President Judge Thomas national resource center focused on DelRicci, Joseph Gale, county ending gender based violence and commissioner, Michael Kehs, court administrator and Gary Kline, director of child abuse by raising awareness domestic relations and Chair of FJAB. Philadelphia’s Veterans Court received through education and support. the Henry Czajkowski Award from District court administration staff, the Pennsylvania Bar Association in judges, supervisors and managers December. working in the courthouse, domestic (l to r): James Funt, Esq. founding partner relations, probation and MDJ staff at Greenblatt, Pierce, Funt and Flores, attended the training. LLC; President Judge Patrick Dugan, Philadelphia Municipal Court; Lesha Sanders, Veterans court coordinator; Timothy Wynn, Veterans Court mentor coordinator; Susan Lin, Esq. attorney with Kairys, Rudovsky, Messing & Feinberg, LLP.

Senior Judge John Leete was the recipient of the Louis J. Presenza Distinguished Service Award at the Pennsylvania Association of Drug Court Professionals (PADCP) Conference. The Louis J. Presenza Tom Darr, court administrator Distinguished Service Award is of Pennsylvania, pictured with recognition by one’s peers for Senator Stewart Greenleaf during dedication and commitment to the Greenleaf’s retirement reception in field of problem-solving courts. Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice the Pennsylvania Capitol. Greenleaf This unique award recognizes participated in the Al retired after serving as Senate an individual who has shown Dia Lawyers Forum. Judiciary chair for 30 years. 13 Superior Court Judge Correale Carbon County held its first Veterans Justice Debra Todd swearing in Stevens visited Sarah Grega’s class Court graduation ceremony on Dec. Judge Jim Eisenhower to the Court of for reading day at Wyoming Valley 12. Judge Joseph Matika, Court Judicial Discipline. Children Association, Forty Fort. of Common Pleas, oversaw the Readings included Spiderman and graduation ceremony of the first three The Cow in the Silo. Pictured with participants to successfully complete Judge Stevens is his grandson, Carbon County’s Veterans Treatment Maxton Mercadante (immediate left). Court program. (l to r): Edward Dubosky, Corey Perich and Jay Dalrymple

Judge Panella elected president judge of Superior Court “I am grateful to have the Panella worked hard to help the Supreme Court’s confidence of my court, other judges navigate the Commission for Justice and am truly honored and complex issues involved Initiative, and chairing the excited to lead such an in sexual violence cases. Commonwealth Partners exceptional group,” said He has authored three Program – for which he President Judge Panella. benchbooks on the subject, received the President’s and recently received Award from the PA President Judge Panella national recognition from the Conference of Trial Judges was first appointed as National Sexual Violence in 2002. a Northampton County Resource Center. Common Pleas judge in Judge Panella succeeds This past December, Judge 1991, and was elected to the Some of his other notable Judge Susan Gantman Jack Panella was elected Superior Court in 2003. work includes leading as President Judge of the President Judge of the the Public Education and Pennsylvania Superior Pennsylvania Superior Court Over the course of his many Community Outreach Court, whose five-year term effective Jan. 7, 2019. years on the bench, Judge Committee under ended Jan. 6, 2019.

Retired Chief Justice Flaherty dies at 87

Chief Justice Emeritus John P. Flaherty In 1979, Flaherty was appointed to fill passed away on Feb. 20, 2019, after a an interim six-month term on the state five-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Supreme Court before winning a full 10-year He died at age 87 in his home in Indiana term and retention twice. He became Chief Township. Justice in 1996 and served in that role until his retirement in 2001. Justice Flaherty received his bachelor’s degree from Duquesne University and his “Justice Flaherty’s tenure marked a time law degree from the University of of healing for the court as he stepped into School of Law. In 1953, he enlisted in the Army the role of mediator and encouraged his and served for two years. He then opened a colleagues to speak with one voice,” said private practice in Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania Court Administrator of Pennsylvania prior to being elected to Allegheny County Thomas B. Darr. Common Pleas Court in 1973. 14 New Judicial Conduct Board chief counsel

“I am excited and honored Attorney’s Association Since 1989, Long has to join the outstanding (PDAA) for eight years. continued to notably serve men and women at the in the U.S. Army Reserve, Judicial Conduct Board in Before that, Long served most recently as Colonel their dedicated efforts to as deputy district attorney in the Judge Advocate further the independence in Dauphin County for four General’s Corps. and integrity of the years, and maintained Commonwealth’s judiciary,” a private law practice in Long lives in Mechanicsburg, said Long. Harrisburg. Pennsylvania and is married with two children. Prior to his appointment In between his time in The Judicial Conduct as chief counsel at the private practice and at the He succeeds the Honorable Board (JCB) welcomed JCB, Long served as the PDAA, Long worked for the Bob Graci who announced their new Chief Counsel, executive director of the NFL’s Cleveland Browns for his retirement in August Richard Long, Esq. this past Pennsylvania District eight years. after serving six years as December. chief counsel to the JCB.

Transitions

New to the Judicial Branch Hon. Richard A. Lewis - Reappointed - Hon. Rhonda Lee Daniele - CP judge - Continuing Judicial Education Board Montgomery Ryan M. Bonafair - Purchasing of Judges Hon. John P. Garhart - CP judge - Erie Specialist - Finance Hon. Timothy K. Lewis (Ret.) - Tari L. Hoke - Payroll Specialist - Megan L. Davis - Counsel - Legal Reappointed - Interbranch Commision Finance Matthew S. Gray - HR Analyst - Human for Gender, Racial and Ethnic Fairness Janice Jimenez - MDJ - Lancaster Resources Marisa K. McClellan, Esq. - Appointed Karen L Johnson - Assistant to the Lorie L. Lambie - Deputy Court - Juvenile Court Procedural Rules Court Administrator - McKean Administrator - Fayette Committee Hon. Anthony G. Marsili - CP judge - Mario T. Lanza - Web Developer - IT Hon. Stephen P.B. Minor - Reappointed Westmoreland Terilyn L. Wickizer - Deputy Court - Continuing Judicial Education Board Hon. Richard A. Masson - CP judge - Administrator - Sullivan/Wyoming of Judges Cameron/Elk Gretchen A. Mundorff, Esq. - Appointed Hon. Donna J. McDaniel - CP judge - Committees, boards and Advisory - Disciplinary Board of Pennsylvania Allegheny Groups Hon. John C. Rafferty, Jr., Esq. - Gerald J. Miller - Network Specialist - IT Appointed - Disciplinary Board of Veronica P. Miller, Esq. - Counsel - Brian D. Catanzarite, Esq. - Appointed - Pennsylvania Legal Criminal Procedural Rules Committee Hon. David A. Regoli - Appointed - Hon. Nathaniel C. Nichols - CP judge - Hon. Kim Berkeley Clark - Reappointed Pennsylvania Lawyers Fund for Client Delaware - Interbranch Commision for Gender, Security Board Allen P. Page III - MDJ - Lycoming Racial and Ethnic Fairness Peter Rosalsky, Esq. - Reappointed - Robert Craig Rapp - End User Hardware Stewart L. Cohen, Esq. - Reappointed - Criminal Procedural Rules Committee and Software Technician - IT Pennsylvania Board of Law Examiners MDJ Beth Scagline-Mills - Appointed - Hon. Anthony A. Sarcione - CP judge - Leslie A. Collins, Esq. - Appointed - Minor Court Rules Committee Chester Pennsylvania Board of Law Examiners Jessie L. Smith, Esq. - Appointed - Jay H. Weller - MDJ - Washington Hon. Deborah E. Curcillo - Reappointed Interbranch Commision for Gender, - Interbranch Commision for Gender, Racial and Ethnic Fairness Other Changes Racial and Ethnic Fairness Hon. Victor P. Stabile - Reappointed - Katherine J. Gomez, Esq. - Reappointed Continuing Judicial Education Board Hon. Wallace H. Bateman Jr. - Bucks - - Interbranch Commision for Gender, of Judges Commence PJ Status Racial and Ethnic Fairness Andrew J. Trevelise, Esq. - Chair - J. Matthew Chiara - IT Development John P. Goodrich, Esq. - Reappointed - Disciplinary Board of Pennsylvania Manager - moved to PABLE Disciplinary Board of Pennsylvania Daniel G. Vitek, Esq. - Reappointed - Hon. Kim Berkeley Clark - Allegheny - James C. Haggerty, Esq. - Vice-Chair - Minor Court Rules Committee Commence PJ Status Disciplinary Board of Pennsylvania Catherine L. Volponi, Esq. - Appointed Hon. Patrick F. Dugan - Philadelphia - MDJ Sue E. Haggerty - Appointed - - Interbranch Commision for Gender, Commence Municipal Court PJ Status Minor Court Rules Committee Racial and Ethnic Fairness Hon. Idee C. Fox - Philadelphia - Hon. Renée Cohn Jubelirer - Commence PJ Status Reappointed - Continuing Judicial Retirements/Resignations Tammy J. Lambie - Transfer from Fayette Education Board of Judges County as Deputy Court Administrator Candice L. Komar, Esq. - Appointed - Leo S. Armbruster - MDJ - Snyder/Union to Somerset County as District Court Continuing Legal Education Board Bradley J Cober - Court Administrator Administrator Hon. Beth A. Lazzara - Reappointed - - Somerset Hon. Jack A. Panella - Superior Court - Criminal Procedural Rules Committee Hon. William R. Cunningham - CP judge Commence PJ Status - Erie 15 601 Commonwealth Avenue Harrisburg, PA 17120

In memory of Chief Justice Emeritus John P. Flaherty, Jr. Nov. 19, 1931 - Feb. 20, 2019

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