News

Pennsylvania Supreme Court Seeks Applicants for Advisory Boards and Committees

April 04, 2007

HARRISBURG, April 4, 2007 — Lawyers, legal experts and citizens who have an interest in the efficient administration of justice are being invited to apply for upcoming vacancies on the advisory boards and committees serving the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. “Although this court always has had a good pool of candidates to consider for the important work done by the advisory boards and committees, we want to broaden the scope of that participation and are able to do so through our Web site,” Chief Justice of Pennsylvania Ralph J. Cappy said. “A special area on the Web site has been created to make the application process more readily available to qualified individuals.” Application forms are available at: www.courts.state.pa.us, with a direct link to the “Public Participation as Members of the Boards and Committees of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania” section on the site’s home page. Along with the application, interested persons should submit a cover letter outlining their interest in committee work to AOPC, Advisory Board/Committee Membership; 1515 Market St., Suite 1414; Philadelphia, PA 19102. At present, all applications must be submitted by mail. Application information will be kept confidential. The Supreme Court will appoint members to fill vacancies from the applicant list, which the AOPC will update on a rolling basis, with applications retained for one year. Applications may be submitted at any time. In addition to its judicial functions, the Supreme Court is also responsible for various administrative and rule-making functions. The court is assisted in this mission by the dozen-plus committees and boards, consisting of more than 180 appointed, unpaid lawyers and non-lawyers. Committee members are charged with monitoring legal developments in Pennsylvania and other states and identifying areas where court procedural rules need amendment, revision or simplification. Many committees also review and respond to questions raised by judges, lawyers and the public. Board members work with programs that serve the public by regulating the admission to legal practice, the practice of law itself, provide continuing education for lawyers, and protect clients from financial harm caused by unscrupulous attorneys. The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania has a long tradition of seeking public input on a variety of matters. Significant instances include consideration of the state court system’s new public access policy; the realignment of magisterial district judge boundaries, and Web site redesign. Additionally, statewide public hearings have been held to solicit input on race, gender and ethnic fairness in the courts, and representatives from the AOPC have worked with county elected officers in helping to shape and define standardized courthouse safety and security guidelines and programs.