Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania
What does this court do?
The Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania is one of two intermediate appeals courts in Pennsylvania (along with the Superior Court). The Commonwealth Court is “primarily responsible for matters involving state and local governments and regulatory agencies. It also acts as a trial court when lawsuits are filed by or against the Commonwealth [of Pennsylvania].” Decisions of the Commonwealth Court can be appealed to the Supreme Court. Commonwealth Court judges serve for 10 year terms.
The candidates – choose up to 2
The candidates are listed in the order they appear on the ballot, to make the Guide easier to use in the ballot booth. What do the columns in the table all mean? They are explained here.
The disciplinary records of the candidates … are clean! We searched for the candidates in the Commonwealth of PA’s records of disciplinary proceedings against both lawyers and judges, and we are happy and proud to say that we found nothing regarding this year’s candidates for any court on the Philadelphia ballot.
Suggestions? Corrections? Omissions? Questions? Please let us know! We always want to find ways to help more people to be more informed when they vote for judges, and this is only our first election.
| Name | Experience(Professional) | PA Bar Assoc ratings | Local bar assoc rating | NLG - Phila rating (progressive) (5 is highest) | Learn more: |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Timothy Barry (Dem) (Allegheny) | - 1979-present: Law practice: municipal law, labor & employment law, public sector labor relations - 30 years: recovery plans for financially distressed municipality - Pitt Law, 1979 | Recommended | Highly Recommended (Allegheny) | None found | • Website • PA Bar questionnaire (PDF) • PA Bar evaluation (search for name) |
| Joe Cosgrove (Dem) (Luzerne) | - 2016-present: Judge, Commonwealth Court of PA (appointed) - 2015-2016: Counsel to the Administrative Office of PA Courts - 2014-2015: Chief Counsel, PA Supreme Court - 2010-2012: Judge, Court of Common Pleas (Luzerne) (appointed) - 1993-2010: Indigent Defense Counsel, Luzerne County (PA) - 1983-2010: Solicitor, Pittston Township Zoning Hearing Board (PA) - 1988-1992: Solicitor, Luzerne County Recorder of Deeds - Notre Dame Law School, 1982 | Highly Recommended | None found | None found | • Website • PA Bar questionnaire (PDF) • PA Bar evaluation (search for name) |
| Ellen Ceisler (Dem) (Philadelphia) | - 2008-present: Judge, Court of Common Pleas (Phila.), Criminal & Civil Trials - 2006-2008: Director, Phila. Controller Special Investigations Unit: municipal waste & fraud. - 2005-2006: Consultant, Phila. School District - 1997-2005: Director, Integrity & Accountability Office, Phila. Police Department - 1992-1994: Special Advisor, Office of the Sheriff - 1990-1992: Law practice: criminal & insurance defense - 1988-1990: Investigative Producer, WCAU-TV News (CBS) - 1986-1988: Prosecutor, Phila. District Attorney's Office - Temple Law, 1986 | Recommended | Recommended (Phila.) | 3.5 | • Website • PA Bar questionnaire (PDF) • PA Bar evaluation (search for name) |
| Todd Eagen (Dem) (Lackawanna) | - 1998-present: Law practice, labor & employment law, private & public sector unions; emphasis on law enforcement - 1996-1997: General law practice, - Dickinson School of Law, 1996 | Recommended | None found | None found | • Website • PA Bar questionnaire (PDF) • PA Bar evaluation (search for name) |
| Irene M. Clark (Dem) (Allegheny) | - 2008-present: Law practice: community development, blighted property law & tangled titles - 2005-2008: Counsel, Community Economic Development Clinic - 2003-2005: Project Manager, Home Ownership Preservation Project - 1993-2003: Magistrate, Pittsburgh Municipal Court (appointed) - 1990-1993: Executive Assistant, Councilman Jim Ferlo (Pittsburgh) - M.A. concentration in conflict resolution, Antioch University, 1999 - CUNY Law (Queens), 1988 | Not recommended | Not recommended | None found | • Website • PA Bar questionnaire (PDF) • PA Bar evaluation (search for name) |
| Bryan Barbin (Dem) Cambria) | - 2009-present: PA State Rep, on House Judicial Committee - 1989-present: Law practice: state tax issues & administrative law - 1983-1989: Deputy Attorney General (PA), Tax & Finance Sectin - Pitt Law 1982 | Recommended | None found | None found | • Website • PA Bar questionnaire (PDF) • PA Bar evaluation (search for name) |
| Paul Lalley (GOP) (Allegheny) | - 2002- present: Law practice: public sector labor & employment, school law - 1997-2002: Law Clerk, PA Supreme Court - Dickinson School of Law, 1996 | Recommended | Highly Recommended (Allegheny) | None found | • Website • PA Bar questionnaire (PDF) • PA Bar evaluation (search for name) |
| Christine Fizzano Cannon (GOP) (Delaware) | - 2012-present: Judge, Court of Common Pleas (Delaware), Civil Trial Division - 2008-2011: Delaware County Council (PA) - 2000-2007: Councilwoman, Middletown Township (PA - 2003-2011: Solicitor, Southern Delaware County Authority, a municipal sewer authority - 2002-2007: Assistant County Solicitor, County of Delaware (PA) - 1996-2011: Law practice: municipal & municipal authority & commercial - 1996--1998: Prosecutor, Delaware County (PA) Child Support Enforcement - Extensive participation in legal and community organizations - Widener School of Law cum laude, 1994 | Highly Recommended | None found | None found | • Website • PA Bar questionnaire (PDF) • PA Bar evaluation (search for name) |