Levin is also on the board of the Community Forgiveness and Restoration Initiative, and has served for 10 years as pro-bono counsel to S.A.L.E.A, an organization that supports Philadelphia’s Spanish-American community, and is a volunteer attorney for the SeniorLaw Center. In addition, we need more qualified Judges of color on the bench. Previously, he was a civil attorney, handling cases of injury, liability, motor vehicle crashes, workers compensation, discrimination, wrongful termination, and commercial litigation in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Current position: Attorney with Legis Group LLC. He was previously a trial attorney who worked as an Assistant District Attorney and as a civil defense counsel for Allstate. I have great respect for the law and feel passionate about applying it equitably and equally. Who's best for the bench? The reality is that voting for judges can be overwhelming, with confusion over what the courts are, what endorsements mean and the sheer number of names that appear on the ballot. This is not the way an important decision that could change your, or your community’s fate, should be made. Question 1: Termination or Extension of Disaster Emergency Declarations He volunteers at his church. Stay updated on all our coverage. In her own words: “As judge, I feel it is my duty to work on three main priorities, ending cash bail, bringing greater transparency to the courtroom, and focusing on restorative justice that ensures the courts are helping to heal the community while balancing justice with love and compassion.” Read her full questionnaire. He serves on the Board of Governors of the Philadelphia Bar Association, is a member of Louis D. Brandeis Law Society, Justinian Society, NAACP, Philadelphia Trial Lawyers, Pennsylvania Association for Justice, and New Jersey Association for Justice. While I have been active in community service organizations, participation in advocacy is my passion. Philadelphia Bar rating: Highly recommended. Thomson began her career at the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, then worked her way up to the executive level at the MTA New York City Transit—the largest subway and bus system in the country—before moving to Philadelphia 20 years ago. From this, I learned first hand that a judge’s appearance of fairness and impartiality is more than just a good in itself; it has a concrete, positive effect on the way that litigants and the public respond to the judge’s decisions.” Read her full questionnaire. In her words: “I would improve our system of justice by a faithful commitment to applying the facts of each case to the law, and following the precedents of higher courts in a nonpartisan fashion without regard to what the parties look like or identify with. And if you vote in Philadelphia, Billy Penn’s procrastinator’s guide includes city judicial elections. The first is completely arbitrary—decided by picking names out of a coffee can. Washington began her legal career focused on employment discrimination, then worked for four years as an Assistant City Solicitor, where she defended the Department of Human Services in matters regarding children who were neglected and abused. It is one of the busiest intermediate appellate courts in the country, receiving hundreds of thousands of filings per year and deciding more than 8,000 individual cases. As 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. PENNSYLVANIA — The Pennsylvania Democratic Party’s State Committee voted to endorse the following candidates for the 2021 judicial races: Judge Maria C. McLaughlin for Supreme Court: Superior Court Judge McLaughlin is a lifelong resident of Pennsylvania who personifies the meaning of hard work. In his words: I would strive to change how matters of this type are handled, with the end goal of maintaining family unity, while protecting the best interests of the children…There are issues out of the court’s control that need to be addressed—poverty, mental illness, fragmented homes, food deprivation, and on and on. In his own words: “As the father of three young, mixed race children, I have been driven to do whatever I can to create the world 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 judge because I believe I would be an effective and outspoken advocate for a change to court culture that takes into account the red flags raised by the CURE report. This guide offers a high-level understanding of our city’s judicial election process and some of the candidates competing for a coveted seat on the bench in the 2021 primary in Pennsylvania. But don’t stop here. Philadelphia Judicial Primary Candidates At A Glance Guide: Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court Candidates May 12, 2017 Category: Local Posted by: Philadelphia ... April 23, 2021. In Philadelphia, the outcomes of judicial elections have historically been influenced by two factors: where a candidate’s name appears on the ballot and whether they have an endorsement from the Democratic Party. Endorsements: International Union of Operating Engineers, Sheet Metal Workers Local Union, Sprinkler Fitters Local, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Current position: Lawyer, Potter Anderson Corroon LLP, Previous Public Office Position: Democratic Committeeperson for the 48th Ward. Before that, he worked in the Justice Department, for whom he brought the first environmental justice prosecution in Pennsylvania, against a a corporate asbestos dumper who had violated the Clean Air Act, 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 state, to stop mortgage brokers and banks preying on communities of color in North Philadelphia. There are three vacancies on the Philadelphia Municipal Court, which is responsible for determining whether serious criminal cases go to the Court of Common Pleas; preliminary arraignments and hearings; and setting and accepting bail, except in murder or voluntary manslaughter cases. Candidate lists haven't been finalized yet, but there will be several statewide races on the ballot where registered Republicans and Democrats will select nominees for vacancies on the Supreme, Superior and Commonwealth courts. First in her family to attend college, Maria worked hard to earn […] Endorsements: Philadelphia Democratic Party, The Victory Fund, PA State Representative, Malcolm Kenyatta, PA State Representative Brian Sims. More 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. 19, IBEW Local 98, Teamsters Local 830, State Senator Sharif Street, and Councilmember Isaiah Thomas. Later, while living in Spain, she was moved by the atrocities of the Bosnian-Serbian conflict, helped raise funds for a refugee camp and accompanied a humanitarian mission to Bosnia. It is even more special because some of these attorneys were my former colleagues and adversaries when I was a practicing trial attorney. Our team of researchers then reviewed and summarized the answers; we’ve also included a link to the full questionnaire they submitted to us. Barish, one of three siblings who grew up in the Northeast with a single mother, says she was inspired by the experience of her older sister, who has disabilities, to become a lawyer to “protect the rights of others as well as the civil rights laws which I believe people should never have had to fight for.”. There are several ways I would strive to improve our system of justice. In his own words: “Years of practice 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. And what you can do about it. He was arrested in 1980 on a drug offense, and is a recovering alcoholic—of which he speaks openly—who has been a member of Alcoholics Anonymous and sponsored many others on their path to sobriety since 1987. Thomson, who is married to Bob Previdi—former City Council President Anna Verna’s communications director—says she is inspired to become a judge by her father, Judge Joseph Thomson, who at 49 years is the longest-serving town judge in New York state. A primary is scheduled for May 18, 2021. 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. At the top of the pyramid sits the Supreme Court, the highest court in the Commonwealth and the oldest appellate court in the nation. Endorsements: Philadelphia Democratic Party, Current position: Lawyer, Hangley Aronchick Segal Pudlin & Schiller, Philadelphia Bar rating: Highly Recommended. A single mother of four children, Turner volunteers regularly with Sharing Excess and Good Shepherd Mediation’s Housing Eviction program. This guide offers a high-level understanding of our city’s judicial election process and some of the candidates competing for a coveted seat on the bench in the 2021 primary in Pennsylvania. She is an active member of St. Martin’s-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church, and has been involved with the Self-Help Movement rehab center and with A.S. Jenks School Home and School Association. Current position: Court of Common Pleas Judge. Judicial candidates Brobson, Wallace campaign in Cambria — Johnstown Tribune-Democrat, April 9, 2021 Superior Court The 15-member Superior Court is … Here’s how: The Philadelphia Citizen will only publish thoughtful, civil comments. The commission thoroughly reviews each candidate on criteria such as legal ability, experience, temperament, and integrity. Turner’s first career was as a registered nurse in England. I would certainly bring the qualities I use as a Hearing Officer to a Judgeship. Sample court cases include divorce, property division, alimony, custody and child support, paternity and protection orders. We focused on candidates for Municipal Court and Court of Common Pleas, as they are typically the judges anyone encounters when interacting with our local judicial system. It is also the first time judicial candidates have had to deal with COVID-19. If a candidate is not recommended by the Bar, it could be for a number of reasons, including not having enough courtroom experience, having an ethical controversy or simply not submitting their application in time, based on when they decided to run. Updated Dec 22, 2020 ... At least three Democrats are running — Philadelphia Common Pleas Court Judge Timika Lane and … Padova was appointed as a judge in the Court of Common Pleas by Gov. He has also served as a custody hearing officer and truancy hearing officer in the First Judicial Court. Like what you’re reading? Sulman has served in various capacities in the courts, including as a Master, where he says he presided over 10,000 child and spousal support hearings. You can click on individual candidates to learn more about them or download the full list of candidates displayed for your own use. Washington opened her own law office 11 years ago, and focuses primarily on employment discrimination, real estate and probate, with a particular focus on helping clients get back their homes after a fraudulent deed transfer. Current position: Court of Common Pleas Judge (appointed 2020). In addition, special elections for legislative vacancies will be held at various times in 2021. During the pandemic, Sulman served as a judge for emergency child custody and protection from abuse cases. A Democratic Committeeperson since 2017, she ran unsuccessfully for judge in 2017 and 2019. Current position: White Collar criminal defense and government litigation practice. I want everybody’s experience in court to be as positive as possible—meaning that you feel you are being heard and treated with the respect and fairness you deserve—no matter who you are or why you’re in court. For the past 15 years, Chris Hall has had his own white collar criminal defense and government litigation practice. Hangley, a single mother who grew up in Philly attending public schools, was one of the “Central Six”—the first girls (controversially) admitted to Central High School just before her senior year. Previous Public Office Position: Member of the Board of Revision of Taxes, Judge of Common Pleas, Master in Support in the Domestic Relations Division. KEY Party Candidate Name Address City ZipCode County Withdrawn Date JUDGE OF THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS - PHILADELPHIA--1st Judicial District (Philadelphia County)----Democratic 2021C0152 DEM MAJOR, RANIA 1806 KATER ST PHILADELPHIA PA 19146- PHILADELPHIA 3/24/2021 COMMENTS : candidate withdrew Withdrawal Reason : Candidate withdrew Judges have a lot of discretionary power in our courts and are the ultimate decision-makers on a person's fate in the criminal law system. In January, Yorgey-Girdy penned an op-ed for the Inquirer making the case that 2021’s judicial elections are crucial for racial justice. 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. In our city, we are adapting to radical changes and we must never lose sight of the individual. In her words: “I am invested in my community and believe every person deserves to be treated with dignity in the courtroom. Judicial Candidates in the 2021 Election Cycle On Tuesday, May 18th, Philadelphia Primary Election voters choose 8 candidates to serve on the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, and 3 to serve on the Philadelphia Municipal Court. They can also recommend mental health and addiction support services as an alternative to jail. She says that experience inspired her to return to school, so she could fight injustices through the practice of law. "The candidate was elected to the Commonwealth Court in 2009 and was retained in 2019 for a second 10-year term. Since taking the bench this past September, however, I have had the pleasure of deciding cases or controversies sitting in the Criminal Division of the Court of Common Pleas in Philadelphia County. In her words: “Judge Marutani’s opinion was precise, careful, and thorough… I believe that a ruling that reached the same result, but seemed unfair or one-sided, would have fanned the flames and made the situation worse for all involved. In fact, according to a study commissioned by Better Civics this year, almost 20 percent of all Philadelphia voters choose not to vote for judges. She has presided over the city’s Graduated Response Court, designed to turn juveniles around without resorting to long-term placement, and has visited nearly all of Philadelphia’s juvenile placements and programs. We encourage you to dig deeper. State Representatives Mary Isaacson, Malcolm Kenyatta, Joanna McClinton, State Sen. Sharif Street, former Gov. Listed below are candidates that are either actively running, or are rumored to be running in this election cycle. Cataldi, a shareholder in Zarwin Baum’s Personal Injury group, specializes in personal injury and Social Security clients. The Philadelphia Bar Association's Judicial Commission has released its ratings for 2021 judicial candidates for state appellate courts and the city's common pleas and municipal courts. She has served on the boards of several nonprofits, including The Wardrobe and Settlement Music School. In his own words: “A judge should conduct proceedings with patience, proper judicial temperament, and respect for the dignity of all who enter the courtroom.” Sulman did not submit a questionnaire. Declarations of Candidacy Filed for Judicial Retention - 2021 Judicial Vacancy and Retention Chart - 2021 If you have any questions, please email ra-elections@pa.gov or call 717-787-5280. You decide who becomes a judge in Philadelphia. In Pennsylvania, for better or worse, voters are asked every two years to vote for judges at every level of the court system, from Municipal to State Supreme. May 04, 2021. Washington sits on the board of directors for homelessness-fighting nonprofit My Place Germantown and is the co-founder of legal ministry at Sharon Baptist Church. 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