Bar Association Releases Final Judicial Ratings

Albert S. Dandridge III, Chancellor of the Philadelphia Bar Association, today announced the final results of the Association's investigation into the qualifications of candidates for the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas and candidates for Philadelphia Municipal Court in the May 19 primary election. The investigation was conducted by the Association's Commission on Judicial Selection and Retention.

Dandridge noted there are two significant upgrades to the process this year, the first is a newly added "Highly Recommended" rating and the second is the inclusion of rating Appellate Court candidates who maintain a principal office or chambers in Philadelphia. Dandridge said that the ratings announced today include the additional names of candidates whose investigations were completed since the original list of ratings was released by the Philadelphia Bar Association on March 30. The list announced today also removes the names of previously rated candidates who have withdrawn from the ballot since March 30.

"We are delighted to now offer a ‘Highly Recommended' category to help better inform the public of extraordinary candidates who are considered preeminent in the profession," Dandridge said. "Voters are encouraged to learn more about this new category and view the entire ratings list by visiting our website atwww.philadelphiabar.org," Dandridge said. He added that the Association wants voters to know why the judicial elections are so important and why the Association and Commission invest so much time and energy in thoroughly reviewing and rating these candidates. "This is the one place for voters to find a thorough and comprehensive, non-partisan, objective rating of the candidates."

The Commission on Judicial Selection and Retention is independent and non-partisan. It includes lawyers and non-lawyers. Among the members of the Commission are community leaders, officials including the Chief Public Defender, City Solicitor, and the President Judges of Common Pleas Court and Municipal Court, and representatives of minority legal groups and practice groups.

The ratings by the 30-member Judicial Commission follow extensive study and investigation by the Commission's own 140-member investigative division, which includes 30 non-lawyer members. Candidates found "Recommended" satisfied a cumulative review of criteria including qualifications such as legal ability, experience, integrity, temperament, community involvement and judgment. Candidates found "Highly Recommended" are extraordinary individuals who, in addition to meeting the "Recommended" criteria, are preeminent in the profession, exceptionally skilled in the law, possess a reputation for the utmost integrity and significantly will enhance or have enhanced the quality of the judiciary. Complete details can be found at www.philadelphiabar.org.

"The Commission completed nearly 60 evaluations of candidates for the 15 open seats on Common Pleas Court and Municipal Court," said Commission Chair A. Harold Datz. "That is an enormous undertaking involving many hundreds of interviews by the investigative division and careful review, consideration and deliberation by the Commission. We appreciate all of the hard work of the Commission and its Investigative Division."

Following is the updated list of ratings.

The following judicial candidate was found "HIGHLY RECOMMENDED" for election to the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania:


• Anne E. Lazarus Highly Recommended

The following judicial candidates, listed alphabetically, were found "HIGHLY RECOMMENDED" for election to the Court of Common Pleas:

• Abbe Fletman Highly Recommended
• Chris Mallios Highly Recommended
• Kai Scott Highly Recommended

The following judicial candidate was found "RECOMMENDED" for election to the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania:

• Kevin M. Dougherty Recommended

The following judicial candidate was found "RECOMMENDED" for election to Superior Court:

• Alice Beck Dubow Recommended

The following judicial candidates, listed alphabetically, were found "RECOMMENDED" for election to the Court of Common Pleas:

• Wayne M. D. Bennett Recommended
• James F. Berardinelli Recommended
• Marissa Brumbach Recommended
• Lucretia Clemons Recommended
• Michael Fanning Recommended
• Vince Giusini Recommended
• Leon Goodman Recommended
• Daine Grey, Jr. Recommended
• Joshua Hill Recommended
• Leon A. King, II Recommended
• Anthony Kyriakakis Recommended
• Jodi Lobel Recommended
• Thomas Martin Recommended
• Chris McCabe Recommended
• Vincent N. Melchiorre Recommended
• Brian T. Ortelere Recommended
• Rainy Papademetriou Recommended
• Mia Roberts Perez Recommended
• Ken Powell Recommended
• Stephanie M. Sawyer Recommended
• Jennifer Schultz Recommended
• Stella Tsai Recommended
• Betsy Wahl Recommended
• Deborah Watson-Stokes Recommended

The following judicial candidates, listed alphabetically, were found "RECOMMENDED" for election to Municipal Court:

• Matthew Perks Recommended
• Joffie C. Pittman Recommended
• Daniel R. Sulman Recommended

The following judicial candidates, listed alphabetically, were found "NOT RECOMMENDED" for election to the Court of Common Pleas:

• Franklin A. Bennett, III Not Recommended
• Tangie M. Boston Not Recommended
• Starr Marshall Cash Not Recommended
• William J. Ciancaglini Not Recommended
• Scott DiClaudio Not Recommended
• Frances Fattah Not Recommended
• Vincent Furlong Not Recommended
• Shanese Johnson Not Recommended
• Edward William Louden, Jr. Not Recommended
• Rania Major Not Recommended
• Jon Marshall Not Recommended
• Tracy B. Roman Not Recommended
• Lynne M. Summers Not Recommended
• Sherman Toppin Not Recommended
• Sandjai Weaver Not Recommended
• Lyris Younge Not Recommended

The following judicial candidates, listed alphabetically, were found "NOT RECOMMENDED" for election to Municipal Court:

• Franklin A. Bennett, III Not Recommended
• Christian DiCicco Not Recommended
• Christine Hope Not Recommended
• Sharon Williams Losier Not Recommended
• Gary S. Silver Not Recommended