Pennsylvania-Bar-Association

The Pennsylvania Bar Association has recommended for retention the two Commonwealth Court judges and two Superior Court judges on the ballot this November, according to ratings the PBA's Judicial Evaluation Commission released Tuesday.

In retention elections, the PBA only has two candidate ratings, "recommended for retention" and "not recommended for retention." Commonwealth Court Judges P. Kevin Brobson and Patricia A. McCullough and Superior Court Judges Anne E. Lazarus and Judith Ference Olson all received "recommended" ratings.

The PBA said Brobson, who has been on the Commonwealth Court since 2010 and currently chairs the Judicial Conduct Board, "is recognized by members of the bar and bench as an excellent jurist who is even tempered, fair and knowledgeable." The PBA also called Brobson's opinions "well written, thorough and precise."

"He exhibits his dedication to the profession through community service, including acting as the jurist-in-residence at Widener University Commonwealth Law School and providing pro bono legal service," the PBA said. "The commission recommends the candidate's retention because of his consistent judicial excellence, even-keeled temperament, and commitment to the bar, bench and community at large."

McCullough, who has also been on the Commonwealth Court since 2010, currently chairs the Pennsylvania Supreme Court Appellate Court Federal Rules Committee and previously served on the Allegheny Court of Common Pleas.

"Those who were interviewed concerning the candidate describe her as conscientious, hardworking, fair minded, open to new concepts and dedicated," the PBA said. "The attorneys who come before her and her fellow judges consider her to be professional, well prepared and having a firm grasp of the facts and the law."

McCullough also received credit for her active roles in both the PBA and Allegheny County Bar Association, including serving as a course planner for continuing legal education courses, and her involvement in the community, including serving on the United Way Strategic Planning Committee, the Pennsylvania Catholic Committee on Social Concerns and Immigrants Against Domestic Violence Task Force.

"The candidate's character and integrity make her well suited for her position on Commonwealth Court," the PBA said.

As for the Superior Court candidates, the PBA said both Lazarus and Olson, each of whom has served on the court for a decade, are regarded among their peers as "capable" and "hardworking."

Lazarus' judicial temperament, the PBA said, "has been described as 'perfect,' and her opinions are thoroughly researched and well written."

"The candidate was active in creating programs in the First Judicial District relating to educating the public as to custody procedures, which served as the template for the current statewide custody conciliation program," the PBA said, noting that, including her time as a Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas judge, Lazarus has served on the bench for nearly 29 years. "In addition to her work on the Superior Court, the candidate teaches courses to both law students and lawyers throughout the commonwealth."

The PBA commended Olson for penning "well-written opinions that are easily followed and understood, and which demonstrate appreciation of the effects legal decisions have on the lives of the parties involved."

"She is described as talented, bright, prepared and fair in her application of existing law to the cases before the court," the PBA said. "The candidate has actively participated in community and charitable boards and is loyal to the missions and purposes of the institutions. She also speaks at bar association programs, giving practical advice to those in attendance."

In January and March, the PBA issued two batches of ratings for the judicial candidates seeking to fill two vacant seats on the Superior Court.

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