Nine candidates are vying for four spots on Pennsylvania's Superior Court. To read the Pennsylvania Bar Association's reviews and the candidates' questionnaires, go to www.pavotesmart.com.

Recommended by Pennsylvania Bar Association

Age: 44

Home: Ross

Education: Undergraduate degree from Penn State University, 1989; law degree from Duquesne University, 1992

Occupation: Elected a judge on Allegheny County Common Pleas Court, 1999

Highly recommended by Pennsylvania Bar Association

Age: 56

Home: Philadelphia

Education: Undergraduate degree from State University of New York at Stony Brook, 1972; law degree from Temple University, 1976; master's degree from Temple, 1986

Occupation: Judge for Philadelphia County Common Pleas Court

Recommended by Pennsylvania Bar Association

Age: 48

Home: Dormont

Education: Undergraduate degree from University of Pittsburgh, 1983; law degree from University of Pittsburgh, 1986

Occupation: Assistant district attorney in Allegheny County in the appellate division

Recommended by Pennsylvania Bar Association

Age: 47

Home: Tioga

Education: Undergraduate degree from Washington & Jefferson College, 1984; law degree from University of Pittsburgh, 1987

Occupation: Attorney with the law firm McEldrew & Fullam, P.C., Philadelphia

Highly recommended by Pennsylvania Bar Association

Age: 52

Home: Franklin Park

Education: Undergraduate degree from St. Francis College, 1979; law degree from Duquesne University, 1982

Occupation: Appointed a judge on Allegheny County Common Pleas Court, 2008

Recommended by Pennsylvania Bar Association

Age: 59

Home: Chester County

Education: Bachelor's degree from University of Delaware, 1972; law degree from Temple University, 1975; master's degree from Temple, 1981

Occupation: President judge of Chester County Common Pleas Court

Not recommended by Pennsylvania Bar Association for failure to participate in evaluation process; no questionnaire available

Age: 47

Home: York

Education: Undergraduate degree from Wilson College; law degree from Dickinson School of Law, 1984

Occupation: Attorney in private practice

Highly recommended by Pennsylvania Bar Association

Age: 56

Education: Undergraduate degree from St. Mary's College, 1974; master's degree from University of Chicago, 1976; law degree from Georgetown University, 1982

Occupation: Judge on Philadelphia County Common Pleas Court, elected in 1997 and retained in 2007

Recommended by Pennsylvania Bar Association

Home: Mt. Lebanon

Education: Bachelor's degree from Washington & Lee University, 1974; law degree from University of Pittsburgh, 1977

Occupation: A shareholder in the law firm Thomson, Rhodes & Cowie, P.C., Pittsburgh

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