The Superior Court of Pennsylvania is one of two Pennsylvania intermediate appellate courts, the other being the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania. 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.
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| Name | Born | Elected | Party When First Elected | Year of Next Retention Election | Reaches Age 70 | Prior Positions and Education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Correale F. Stevens (President Judge) |
October 6, 1946 in Hazleton, Pennsylvania | 1997 (retained in 2007) | Republican | None - final term | October 6, 2016 | Judge, Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas (1991–1998); District Attorney, Luzerne County (1988–1991); Representative, Pennsylvania House of Representatives (1980–1988); J.D., Dickinson School of Law (1972); A.B., Pennsylvania State University (1969). |
|
Kate Ford Elliott (President Judge Emeritus) |
June 8, 1949 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | 1989 (retained in 1999 and 2009) | Democratic | None - final term | June 8, 2019 | 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). |
| March 31, 1942 in Stowe Township, Pennsylvania | 1997 (retained in 2007) | Democratic | None - final term | March 31, 2012 | J.D., Vanderbilt University School of Law (1966); B.A., Washington and Jefferson College (1963). | |
|
John T. Bender |
November 6, 1948 in Jeannette, Pennsylvania | 2001 | Republican | 2011 | November 6, 2018 | J.D., Duquesne University School of Law (1976); B.A., Pennsylvania State University (1970). |
| July 18, 1954 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | 2001 | Republican | 2011 | July 18, 2024 | 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). | |
| August 8, 1952 in Norristown, Pennsylvania | 2003 | Republican | 2013 | August 8, 2022 | J.D., Villanova University School of Law (1977); B.A./M.A., University of Pennsylvania (1974). | |
| May 4, 1955 in Brooklyn, New York | 2003 | Democratic | 2013 | May 4, 2025 | J.D., Columbus School of Law, The Catholic University of America (1980); B.S., St. John's University (1977). | |
|
Christine L. Donohue |
December 24, 1952 in Coaldale, Pennsylvania | 2007 | Democratic | 2017 | December 24, 2022 | Private Practice, (1980–2007); J.D., Duquesne University School of Law (1980); B.A., East Stroudsburg University (1974). |
|
Jacqueline O. Shogan |
June 5, 1953 in Flushing, New York | 2007 | Republican | 2017 | June 5, 2023 | 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). |
|
Cheryl Lynn Allen |
December 16, 1947 in Homestead, Pennsylvania | 2007 | Republican | 2017 | December 16, 2017 | J.D., University of Pittsburgh School of Law (1975); B.S., Pennsylvania State University (1969). |
|
Anne E. Lazarus |
November 12, 1952 in Brooklyn, New York | 2009 | Democrat | 2019 | November 12, 2022 | 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). |
| June 29, 1962 in Elmira, New York | 2009 | Republican | 2019 | June 29, 2032 | J.D., University of Pittsburgh School of Law (1987); B.A., Washington and Jefferson College (1984). | |
|
Judith Ference Olson |
October 19, 1957 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | 2009 | Republican | 2019 | October 19, 2027 | 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 |
September 17, 1950 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | 2009 | Republican | 2019 | September 17, 2020 | 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). |
|
Robert A. Freedberg (Interim Judge) |
N/A (appointed in 2008) | N/A | N/A (term ends 2011) | J.D., Columbia University School of Law (1969); B.A., Lafayette College (1966). |
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