Teresa Ficken Sachs. (Courtesy photo/Nanette Kardaszeski)

The co-chair of Marshall Dennehey Warner Coleman & Goggin's appellate practice has been chosen to become chief counsel for the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

The Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts announced Wednesday that Teresa Ficken Sachs is set to take over as counsel to the high court in January, when acting counsel H. Geoffrey Moulton Jr. is set to take over as court administrator of Pennsylvania.

In an interview Wednesday morning, Sachs said she was approached about the position after it became open, and was interested in working in an area that would have broad impacts for the state.

"The courts have such broad responsibilities and really affect the lives of all Pennsylvanians. I'm really looking forward to the opportunity to do something in this sphere and support the work of the court," Sachs said. "I really feel like it's going to be a great honor and challenge, and I'm really looking forward to working on behalf of the court and Pennsylvanians."

Although the work will vary depending on the given needs of the court, as counsel, Sachs is set to handle nonadjudicative legal matters for the court and is expected to serve as the court's liaison to the Board of Law Examiners, the Continuing Legal Education Board, the Disciplinary Board, the Interest on Lawyer Trust Accounts Board and the Lawyers Fund for Client Security Board. At times she is also set to act as liaison to outside counsel.

"I think the role of counsel is continuing to evolve and expand in accordance with the court's needs," Sachs said.

Marshall Dennehey attorney John Hare, who worked closely with Sachs to lead the firm's 11-member appellate practice, said Sachs will be greatly missed at the firm.

"Our loss is the Supreme Court's gain," Hare said. "Working with Terry has been a great highlight of my career. She's a tremendous lawyer and an even better person. I and many others at Marshall Dennehey have learned so much from her and we've have a lot of fun along the way."

The firm, Hare said, has no plans in place yet to backfill Sachs' role.

"We'll just have to see how things develop going forward," Hare said.

Sachs has appeared frequently before the Pennsylvania Supreme and Superior courts, as well as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.

Before joining Marshall Dennehey, where she worked alongside Hare heading the firm's appellate practice, Sachs had led the appellate practice at Post & Schell for 10 years and spent 12 years trying insurance defense cases at Britt Hankins & Moughan. Sachs graduated from the University of Connecticut in 1980 and Villanova University School of Law in 1984 and worked at Duane Morris after getting her law degree.

In the statement announcing Sach's appointment, Chief Justice Thomas Saylor touted her varied experience as a lawyer.

"Terry is an experienced trial lawyer and accomplished appellate advocate, including many appearances before our court," Saylor said. "Her professional background will serve the court well in her role as counsel."