Legal News

Two Confirmed for Philadelphia Common Pleas Bench

By Brian Harris

By Amaris Elliott-Engel
Of the Legal Staff

Attorneys Robert P. Coleman, an associate with Segal McCambridge Singer & Mahoney, and Donna M. Woelpper, who is sitting as a juvenile court master in Philadelphia family court, have been confirmed by the state Senate to serve as judges on the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. Coleman and Woelpper are also part of an unopposed slate running in the fall for 10-year terms on the court, so they're both on target to serve the next decade as judges.

Coleman and Woelpper were among the top vote-getters in the Democratic primary, and Robert J. Coleman, Coleman's father, told The Legal previously that it is traditional for the candidates who come in at the top in the Democratic primary to get judicial appointments if they become available.

The top four vote-getters in the May 19 Democratic primary were Coleman; Angeles Roca, who is already sitting on the court filling out a judicial vacancy; Diane Thompson, who ran without the endorsement of the city Democrats; and Woelpper. There were 22 candidates in the primary.

The state Senate also confirmed Johnny J. Butler to a second interim term on the Commonwealth Court. Gregory V. Hines and Jeffrey J. Valocchi were confirmed as magisterial district judges in Chester County.

Full post as published by The Legal Intelligencer Blog on September 25, 2009 (boomark / email).