Published Tuesday, Jan. 26, 1999 PBA Judicial Evaluation Commission Chairman Michael A. Bloom and PBA President Leslie Anne Miller announced the following ratings:
"The PBA Judicial Evaluation Commission is firmly committed to the notion that lawyers have a duty to recommend to the public the very best candidates for judicial office, so that all of us can be assured of having the very best judges on our appellate benches," he said.
The commission based its findings for each candidate on a two-part evaluation process. Investigative panels consisting of two lawyers and one lay person conducted the first phase through personal interviews with the candidates and individuals who had professional or personal dealings with them. Upon completion of the interviews, the panels submitted confidential written reports to the commission outlining a preliminary nonbinding recommendation.
Upon receipt and review of the investigative panel's report, the commission interviewed each candidate, discussed his qualifications and reached consensus on each candidate's rating.
Candidates are eligible to receive a rating of "highly recommended," "recommended" or "not recommended." The, four candidates for which ratings were announced had requested to be evaluated by the commission; however, the commission will conduct another round of evaluations prior to the May primary should more candidates seek to participate in the process.
Of Judge Lally-Green, a graduate of Kennedy Christian High School in Hermitage, the commission said:
"The candidate combines extraordinary scholarship and a keen intellect with a high degree of professionalism.
"Her early public and private sector legal experience, followed by a distinguished teaching career and 12-year exposure to both civil and criminal cases as an appellate clerk and consultant to justices of the Supreme Court make her eminently qualified to serve as an appellate judge.
"She has received very favorable reviews since her appointment to the Superior Court. She demonstrates an enthusiastic passion for the law and improving the quality of justice. She exhibits an exemplary judicial temperament, including patience, courtesy and consensus-driven leadership skills. Her ability to be fair, independent and impartial should enable her to render consistently outstanding service if elected to the Superior Court of Pennsylvania."
The commission also will conduct evaluations of the appellate justices and judges slated for retention election in 1999. The commission will issue the retention ratings in the fall.
