Superior Court of Pennsylvania
What does this court do?
The Superior Court of Pennsylvania is one of two intermediate appeals courts in Pennsylvania (along with the Commonwealth Court): It hears appeals of lower courts’ decisions, especially Courts of Common Pleas’ decisions. The Superior Court’s decisions can be appealed in turn to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, the highest state court in Pennsylvania. The Superior Court hears appeals for criminal and most civil cases, as well as for matters involving children and families. Superior Court judges serve for 10 year terms.
The candidates – choose up to 4
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 now, while the election is still on your mind. We always want to find ways to help more people to be more informed when they vote for judges, and this is only the Guide’s first election.
| Name | Experience(Professional) | PA Bar Assoc ratings | Local bar assoc rating | NLG - Phila rating (progressive) (5 is highest) | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carolyn H. Nichols (Dem) (Phila. County) | - 2011-present: Judge, Court of Common Pleas (Phila.), Criminal Trial Division - 2008-2011: Law practice, employment discrimination - 2006-2008: Director, Minority Bus. Enterprise Council (City of Phila) - 2005-2006: Office of Mayor (City of Phila.) - 1999-2005: General Counsel, Phila Parking Authority -1996-1999: Law practice, employment discrimination - 1995-1996: Asst Legal Counsel, Phila Housing Development Corp. - Degree in Trial Advocacy, Temple Law, 1994 - Temple Law, 1985 | Recommended | Recommended (Phila.) | None | • Website • PA Bar questionnaire (PDF) • PA Bar evaluation (search for name) |
| Geoff Moulton (Dem) (Montgomery County) | - 2016-present: Judge, Superior Court of PA (appointed) - 2015-2016: Deputy General Counsel, Governor's Office of General Counsel (PA) - 2013-2014: Special Deputy, PA Atty General's Office - 2010-2011: Chief of Staff, Troubled Asset Relief Program (D.C.) - 2009-2010: Chief Counsel, U.S. Senator Edward Kaufman - 2001-2005: First Asst U.S. Attorney, U.S. Attorney's Office (Eastern District PA) - 1993: U.S. Treasury Dept, Project Director, Waco Admin Review - 1990-1993: Law practice - 1986-1990: Asst U.S. Attorney, U.S. Attorney's Office (Eastern District PA) - Columbia School of Law, 1984 - Of note: Clerk, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Rehnquist,1985-1986 | Highly Recommended | None found | None | • Website • PA Bar questionnaire (PDF) • PA Bar evaluation (search for name) |
| Maria McLaughlin (Dem) (Phila County) | - 2012-present: Judge, Court of Common Pleas (Phila.), Family Court - 1992-2011: Prosecutor, Phila. District Attorney's Office, Child Support Enforcement Unit - Widener School of Law, 1992 | Recommended | Highly Recommended (Phila.) | None | • Website • PA Bar questionnaire (PDF) • PA Bar evaluation (search for name) |
| Debbie Kunselman (Dem) (Beaver County) | - 2005-present: Judge, Court of Common Pleas (Beaver), Civil Division - 1998-2005: Solicitor, Beaver County Solicitor's Office - 1992-1994: Law practice: contract disputes, environment law, fraud - 1996-2005: Law practice: personal injury, family law & employment - Notre Dame School of Law cum laude, 1992 | Highly Recommended | None found | None | • Website • PA Bar questionnaire (PDF) • PA Bar evaluation (search for name) |
| Bill Caye (Dem) (Allegheny County) | - 2015-present: Law practice: criminal - 2015-2016: Legal consultant, BusinessLegal PC - 2006-2015: Deputy Attorney General, PA - 2000-2005: Special Master, Court of Common Pleas (Allegheny) - 1998-2006: Law practice: criminal - 1995-1998: Prosecutor, Allegheny County District Attorney's Office - Duquesne School of Law, 1993 | Not recommended | None found | None | • Website • PA Bar questionnaire (PDF) • PA Bar evaluation (search for name) |
| Emil Giordano (GOP) (Northampton County) | - 2004-present: Judge, Court of Common Pleas (Northampton) - 1988-2003: Law practice, representing many municipalities and organizations - 1985-1987: Prosecutor, Broome County District Attorney's Office (NY) - Villanova School of Law, 1985 | Highly Recommended | None found | None | • Website • PA Bar questionnaire (PDF) • PA Bar evaluation (search for name) |
| Craig Stedman (GOP) (Lancaster County) | - 2008-present: District Attorney, Lancaster County District Attorney's Office - 1991-2008: Prosecutor, Lancaster County District Attorney's Office - Extensive participation in legal & community organizations - 1986-1994: U.S. Army Reserves military intelligence officer (honorable discharge) - Penn State School of Law magna cum laude, 1991 | Highly Recommended | None found | None | • Website • PA Bar questionnaire (PDF) • PA Bar evaluation (search for name) |
| Wade Kagarise (GOP) (Blair County) | - 2014-present: Judge, Court of Common Pleas (Blair) - 2001-2013: Law practice: family, civil & labor law - 1998-2013: Prosecutor, Blair County District Attorney's Office (part-time) - 1990-1996: U.S. Army Reserves (honorable discharge) - Widener School of Law, 1997 | Recommended | None found | None | • Website • PA Bar questionnaire (PDF) • PA Bar evaluation (search for name) |
| Mary Murray (GOP) (Allegheny County) | - Judge, Allegheny County Magisterial District for 13 years - Law practice for 20 years, primarily estate planning & administration - 1998-2004: Auditor, Moon Township (PA) - M.B.A., Duquesne University, 1995 - Duquesne School of Law, 1996 | Not recommended | None found | None | • Website • PA Bar evaluation (search for name) |
| Paula Patrick (GOP) (Phila County) | - 2003-present: Judge, Court of Common Pleas (Phila.), Civil, Criminal & Family Court - 2015: Interim City Commissioner (appointed) - 1994-2003: General law practice - Thurgood Marshall School of Law, 1993 | Highly Recommended | Reommended (Phila.) | 4 | • Website • PA Bar questionnaire (PDF) • PA Bar evaluation (search for name) |