Candidate: Judge Brian McLaughlin

Court: Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas

Party: Democrat

Philadelphia Bar Association rating: Recommended

Ballot position: 4

The following has been edited lightly for length and style.

The Legal Intelligencer: Tell us about your background, where you went to law school, what firms you have practiced at, and areas of law you focus on.

Judge Brian McLaughlin: I was born and raised in Philadelphia. I went to Widener University School of Law, Delaware where I attended the evening program. Upon graduating and passing the bar, I was a Philadelphia assistant district attorney from 1998-2003. My last assignment was the Major Trials Unit. From 2003-2005, I practiced civil law at McCormick & Priore P.C., which is a Center City insurance defense firm. At this time I also started practicing adult and juvenile criminal defense. From 2005 to 2022, I had my own law office with several other former assistant district attorneys (McCullough, McLaughlin, Mincarelli & McCloskey). My practice focused on adult and juvenile criminal defense and dependency law. I now oversee dependency law cases as a judge.

The Legal: What is one major thing about your career experience that most qualifies you for this position, and why?

McLaughlin: As to my career experience, what most qualifies me as a judge is my 25 years of wide-ranging courtroom experience as a prosecutor, criminal defense attorney, civil attorney and dependency law attorney. This experience provides me with the necessary knowledge to perform my job in an exemplary manner.

The Lega: What is the main reason Pennsylvania voters should pick you?

McLaughlin: In terms of my qualifications, I was appointed by Gov. [Tom] Wolf to the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. My appointment was unanimously confirmed by the Pennsylvania Senate Judiciary Committee. I am also recommended by the Philadelphia Bar Association. I have the requisite courtroom experience to be a competent judge.

As to my character traits, I am a person with common sense and a compassionate personality that provides me with the ability to be a fair and empathetic judge. My job as a judge is to keep families together. I treat every child who appears in my courtroom as if they were my own. I love what I do and wish to have the support of all of the voters to allow me to continue my work for an additional 10 years.

The Legal: What will be your approach to moving matters efficiently through the case management system?

McLaughlin: My approach now is to ensure the cases before me are heard in a timely fashion without unnecessary delay. I ensure that all parties appearing in my courtroom have effective legal representation to allow their voices and positions to be heard. If a party does not have legal representation, I appoint counsel for them.

The Lega: What would you say to voters regarding your plans to ensure the equal administration of justice for all people?

McLaughlin: As I indicated above, I ensure the equal administration of justice for all people by appointing experienced and competent legal representation in the event a party needs an attorney. As an attorney, I have represented individuals of varying backgrounds and economic levels. This experience makes me well aware of the potential biases, both implicit and outright, that can affect an individual's courtroom experience. I ensure that none of these biases affect my decision-making process and that justice is administered fairly and equally by all members of the courtroom that I oversee.

The Legal: Where can voters go for more information about you?

McLaughlin: Brian McLaughlin for Judge