Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan, and nonprofit newsroom producing investigative and public-service journalism that holds the power to account and drives positive change in Pennsylvania. Sign up for our free newsletters.
At a quick glance: Commonwealth Court is made up of 9 judges. Currently, there are 3 Democrats and 5 Republicans that serve on the court. Voters in November 2023 elected a Democrat to fill 1 vacancy. To qualify for a seat on the court, candidates must have state residency for at least one year and reside in the commonwealth throughout their term. They must be at least 21 years of age, but not older than 75. They also have to be a member of the Bar of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and licensed to practice law in the state.
Pa. Commonwealth Court 101
The Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania is one of two intermediate appellate courts in the state and is made up of nine judges. Established in 1968, the court has a unique mandate among appellate courts in the United States: It presides specifically over civil actions brought against the commonwealth, including state and local governments, and with regulatory agencies. When lawsuits are filed by or against Pennsylvania, Commonwealth Court also acts as a trial court.
Many of the state Supreme Court’s most notable cases are initially heard by Commonwealth Court, and the two courts’ decisions sometimes differ. In 2020, for instance, the lower court ruled in favor of a handful of Republicans seeking to delay certification or disqualify ballots in that year’s heavily litigated elections — victories that were ultimately overturned by the state Supreme Court.
Commonwealth Court judges get their seats in partisan elections, then face a nonpartisan retention vote every 10 years. These retention votes usually succeed.
Commonwealth Court is currently GOP-controlled, with five Republicans on the bench, three Democrats, and one vacancy. Democrat Matt Wolf was elected to fill that vacancy during the November 2023 election. He will be sworn in this January.
Frequently asked questions about the Pa. Commonwealth Court:
Where can I find the PA Commonwealth Court opinions and docket?
Court opinions and docket sheets are available online. To learn how to search dockets, check out this guide. The court system also maintains a webpage of cases it deems especially relevant to the public.
Who are the PA Commonwealth Court judges?
President Judge Renée Cohn Jubelirer (elected as a Republican)
Judge Patricia A. McCullough (elected as a Republican)
Judge Anne E. Covey (elected as a Republican)
Judge Michael H. Wojcik (elected as a Democrat)
Judge Christine Fizzano Cannon (elected as a Republican)
Judge Ellen Ceisler (elected as a Democrat)
Judge Lori A. Dumas (elected as a Democrat)
Judge Stacy Wallace (elected as a Republican)
Incoming Judge Matt Wolf (elected as a Democrat)
Commonwealth Court also has two senior judges, President Judge Emerita Bonnie Brigance Leadbetter and President Judge Emerita Mary Hannah Leavitt. Senior judges are retired judges who have been approved by the state court administrator to continue serving, often in a pro bono capacity.
BEFORE YOU GO… If you learned something from this article, pay it forward and contribute to Spotlight PA at spotlightpa.org/donate. Spotlight PA is funded by foundations and readers like you who are committed to accountability journalism that gets results.
