News

Judge Joseph A. Del Sole Chosen Superior Court of Pennsylvania President Judge

December 18, 2000

HARRISBURG, December 19, 2000 — The Superior Court of Pennsylvania today announced the election of Judge Joseph A. Del Sole as its president judge. Judge Del Sole will replace Judge Stephen J. McEwen Jr. whose five-year term as president judge expires in January. Judge Del Sole also begins his 17th year on the Superior Court bench in January. As president judge, Del Sole will oversee all administrative matters of the court including budget, administrative offices, scheduling, special sessions, education and bench-bar interaction. “It is an honor and a privilege to be chosen to serve as president judge of this distinguished court,” Judge Del Sole said. “We have a dedicated group of judges who share a vision for the efficient administration of justice across this Commonwealth.” Judge Del Sole was elected to the Superior Court in 1983, and retained for a second term in 1993. Prior to serving in statewide office, Judge Del Sole was appointed to the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas in 1978 and elected to a full term in 1979. Judge Del Sole holds a degree in mechanical engineering from Carnegie Mellon University; an LL.B. from Duquesne University School of Law and an L.L. M. from the University of Virginia School of Law. The 15-member Superior Court is one of two intermediate appellate courts in Pennsylvania, hearing criminal and certain civil appeals from the state’s 60 Courts of Common Pleas. Court members elect a president judge to a five-year term. Superior Court judges generally hear cases in three-member panels that are chosen by the president judge to sit in Pittsburgh, Harrisburg or Philadelphia. The court sits en banc — a convening of nine of the judges — three or four times a year to hear appeals of selected cases.