# Superior Court of Pennsylvania

The Superior Court of Pennsylvania is one of two Pennsylvania intermediate appellate courts (the other being the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania). It is based in Harrisburg.

## Jurisdiction

The Superior Court hears appeals in criminal and most civil cases from the Courts of Common Pleas and on matters involving children and families. Most appeals are decided on the submission of briefs only. However, when the parties request oral argument, those sessions are usually heard by panels of three judges sitting in Philadelphia, Harrisburg, or Pittsburgh, but the court also hears some appeals "en banc," i.e., with nine judges. Sometimes, special argument panels sit in other counties around the Commonwealth. Although different panels of three judges may sit to hear appeals, there is only one Superior Court (that is, Pennsylvania is not divided into appellate territories).

## Judges

Superior Court judges are elected in statewide elections. The term of a Superior Court Judge is 10 years. After serving 10 years, judges may hold their seats if they win a retention vote. Voters have the right to retain or reject (vote out of office) Superior Court judges in Pennsylvania. Superior Court judges must retire from active service at the age of 75. They may serve as Senior Judges though, as approved by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
| Judge | Born | Joined | Term ends | Mandatory retirement | Party affiliation | Law school |
| Anne E. Lazarus (President Judge) | (1952-11-12) November 12, 1952 (age 71) | January 4, 2010 | 2029 | 2027 | Democratic | Temple |
| Mary Jane Bowes | (1954-07-18) July 18, 1954 (age 70) | January 7, 2002 | 2031 | 2029 | Republican | Pittsburgh |
| Jack A. Panella | (1955-05-04) May 4, 1955 (age 69) | January 5, 2004 | 2033 | 2030 | Democratic | Columbus |
| Judith Ference Olson | (1957-10-19) October 19, 1957 (age 66) | January 4, 2010 | 2029 | 2032 | Republican | Duquesne |
| Victor P. Stabile | (1957-09-14) September 14, 1957 (age 67) | January 6, 2014 | 2033 | 2032 | Republican | Dickinson |
| Alice Beck Dubow | (1959-03-25) March 25, 1959 (age 65) | January 4, 2016 | 2025 | 2034 | Democratic | Pennsylvania |
| Deborah A. Kunselman | (1967-09-24) September 24, 1967 (age 57) | January 1, 2018 | 2027 | 2042 | Democratic | Notre Dame |
| Carolyn H. Nichols | (1955-09-04) September 4, 1955 (age 69) | January 1, 2018 | 2027 | 2030 | Democratic | Temple |
| Mary P. Murray | (1970-07-06) July 6, 1970 (age 54) | January 1, 2018 | 2027 | 2045 | Republican | Duquesne |
| Maria McLaughlin | (1966-05-27) May 27, 1966 (age 58) | January 1, 2018 | 2027 | 2041 | Democratic | Widener |
| Megan McCarthy King | (1969-12-08) December 8, 1969 (age 54) | January 6, 2020 | 2029 | 2044 | Republican | Pittsburgh |
| Megan Sullivan | (1971-10-19) October 19, 1971 (age 52) | January 3, 2022 | 2031 | 2046 | Republican | Temple |
| Jill Beck | (1979-10-16) October 16, 1979 (age 44) | January 1, 2024 | 2033 | 2054 | Democratic | Duquesne |
| Timika Lane | (1972-10-05) October 5, 1972 (age 52) | January 1, 2024 | 2033 | 2047 | Democratic | Rutgers |
| Vacant | | | | | | |
* ↑ Judges must retire by the last day (December 31) of the calendar year in which they reach the age of 75.
* ↑ Elected President Judge on January 7, 2024.

### Vacancy and pending nomination

| Seat | Seat last held by | Vacancy reason | Date of vacancy | Nominee | Date of nomination |
| – | Dan McCaffery | Elevation | January 1, 2024 | – | – |

### Senior judges

| Judge | Born | Joined | Party affiliation | Law school |
| Correale F. Stevens, President Judge Emeritus | (1946-10-06) October 6, 1946 (age 78) | 2016 | Republican | Dickinson |
| James Gardner Colins | (1946-06-09) June 9, 1946 (age 78) | January 2, 2019 | Democratic | Villanova |
| John T. Bender | (1948-11-06) November 6, 1948 (age 75) | January 1, 2024 | Republican | Duquesne |
* ↑ Judge Stevens was a former Associate Justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court (2013–2016).
* ↑ Judge Collins was a former judge of the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court (1984–2008; 2012–2019).
* ↑ Served as Judge of the Superior Court from January 5, 2002–December 31, 2023. Became Senior Judge of the Superior Court on January 1, 2024.