The Philadelphia Bar Association Commission on Judicial Selection and Retention is in need of attorney volunteers to serve as part of its investigative division for the 2025 judicial election cycle. Volunteers are needed beginning this fall and winter, and volunteer opportunities would continue to be available through early-to-mid 2025. 

The Judicial Commission reviews candidates for judge and rates them as Not Recommended, Recommended or Highly Recommended for the benefit of the voting public. The Commission depends upon the work of its investigative division to provide a thorough review of each candidate. Each candidate for judge is assigned a five-member investigative team to review the candidate and make a recommendation to the Judicial Commission with regard to a rating. An investigative team consists of three lawyers, one of whom would serve as the team leader, one non-lawyer and one member of the Judicial Commission.  

As a member of a team assigned to a judicial candidate, an investigator:

• reviews a candidate’s completed questionnaire;
• participates with the team in an interview of the candidate in the candidate’s office;
• interviews individuals who have had professional relationships with the candidate, such as current colleagues, former employers, opposing counsel and judges before whom the candidate has appeared;
• interviews people familiar with the candidate’s community work;
• reviews the candidate’s social media presence;
• assists the team leader in preparing a report to the Commission on the candidate. 

Statements made by interviewees are confidential and identifying information is not provided to the candidate or the public. However, Commission members, who are bound by confidentiality rules, may ask who made particular statements.

The typical time frame for conducting an investigation is approximately three weeks and the time commitment for each volunteer is about 10 hours. A volunteer usually serves

The Commission's objective, nonpartisan investigations rate candidates on their ability, integrity and judgment, and help voters to make an informed decision at the polls. Investigative volunteers are an essential part of this process and have the opportunity to make a positive impact on justice system in Philadelphia and beyond.

To learn more or to volunteer, contact Gabriella Fontan, Esq. at judicialcomm@philabar.org or (215) 238-6338.