Information on Commonwealth Court Candidates

COMMONWEALTH COURT

— handles civil lawsuits filed against the state and its officers, as well as appeals of state agency decisions and appeals of county rulings involving other actions against the state. Specifically it also handles workers’ compensation action, regulatory issues such as utilities, banking, insurance, taxes, elections or labor practices such as appeals from the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board. The Commonwealth Court is an intermediate appellate court in between the county Court of Common Pleas and the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
(vote for one)

Attorney Anne Covey (Republican)

Recommended by the Pennsylvania Bar Association

Experience:

practicing attorney for over 26 years representing international and national companies, small firms and non-profit organizations on Employment and Labor Law matters.
appointed by Governor Schweiker and unanimously confirmed by the Senate as member on the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board
author of The Workplace Law Advisor: From Harassment and Discrimination Policies to Hiring and Firing Guidelines – What Every Manager and Employee Needs to Know
Private law firm: Covey & Associates, P.C. in New Hope – 14 years
law clerk with the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania serving the President Judge.
assistant counsel with the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board

Endorsed by: (click link to read comments)

Pennsylvania Republican Party
Governor Tom Corbett
Lt. Governor Jim Cawley
Congressman Pat Toomey
PA Pro-Life Federation PAC
LIFEPAC
Philadelphia Inquirer
Pennsylvania Medical Political Action Committee

Community Involvement:
None listed on website

Website: http://www.annecoveyforjudge.com/index.shtml

Judge Paul Panepinto (Republican)

Highly recommended by the Pennsylvania Bar Association

Experience:

Currently a judge on the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas, Team Leader in Motions Court, Civil Trial Division (first elected in 1991)
Served in Philadelphia Family Court
Judge on the court of Judicial Discipline

Endorsed by: (click link to read comments)

Citizens Against Higher Taxes
PA Pro-Life Federation PAC
LIFEPAC
Pittsburgh Post Gazette
The Senior Living Guide
Commissioner Albert Bienstock, Camp Hill (Cumberland County)

Community Involvement:

Youth mentor

Co-chair of the Philadelphia “Do the Write Thing Committee” – helping grade school children understand impact and solutions to violence

Pennsylvania State Chair for the National Campaign to Stop Violence

Website: http://www.judgepanepinto.com/

Attorney Kathryn Boockvar (Democrat)

Recommended by the Pennsylvania Bar Association

Experience:

Advancement Project, Senior Attorney
Boockvar & Yeager, Managing Partner
Bucks County Court of Common Pleas, Arbitrator
Pennsylvania Rising Star – Super Lawyer, 2005, 2006, 2007
National Employment Lawyers Association, Firm Member
NOLSW/UAW Local 2320, Co-Union Representative
Lehigh Valley Legal Services, Inc., Staff Attorney
Legal Action Center, National Policy Associate

Endorsed by: (click link for complete list)

Pennsylvania Democratic Party
Pennsylvania SEIU
Pennsylvania UAW
Pennsylvania State Education Association
Philadelphia AFL-CIO
Communication Workers of America Local 13000
Fraternal Order of Police Local 91
Ironworkers Local 401
Sheet Metal Workers Local 19
International Association of Firefighters Local 22
Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 520
Chester County AFL-CIO Council
Bucks County Central Labor Council
Beaver-Lawrence Central Labor Council
Philadelphia Neighborhood Networks
Equality PA

Community Involvement:

A Woman’s Place, Board of Directors Member, 2009 – present
University of Pennsylvania Alumni Secondary School Selection Committee
University of Pennsylvania Alumni Club of Bucks County, Treasurer
Pennsylvania Voice, Member
Pennsylvania Voter Coalition

Website: http://www.boockvar.com/

Attorney Barbara Behrend Ernsberger (Democrat)

Recommended by the Pennsylvania Bar Association

Experience:

Practicing attorney for 34 years
Commissioner with the City of Pittsburgh Department of Planning

Endorsed by: (click link for complete list)

United Mine Workers District 2 (Pennsylvania)
Pittsburgh Firefighters Local 1
Allegheny Labor Council
AFGE Council 55
AFGE local 1916
AFGE local 2028
AFGE local 3344
AFSCME local 238
AFSCME local 297
AFSCME local 338
AFSCME local 1314
AFSCME local 1494
AFSCME local 1551
AFSCME local 1807
AFSCME local 1985
AFSCME local 2037
Beaver County Democratic Committee
Steel City Stonewall Democrats
Gertrude Stein Club