Governor Rendell to Nominate Allegheny County Judge Cynthia Baldwin to Pennsylvania Supreme Court
Governor Will Make Nomination at Conclusion of Justice Nigro's Term
HARRISBURG, Pa., Dec. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Governor Edward G. Rendell today
announced his intention to nominate the Honorable Cynthia A. Baldwin to the
Pennsylvania Supreme Court in January. Pending Senate confirmation, Judge
Baldwin will replace sitting Justice Russell Nigro who Governor Rendell
praised as an outstanding jurist both on the Philadelphia Common Pleas court
and Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
"Judge Cynthia Baldwin is a widely respected jurist, and I am incredibly
pleased that she has agreed to continue her service to Pennsylvanians in this
important post.
"Her work as Chair of the Pennsylvania State University Board of Trustees
can be described as nothing less than outstanding. I worked closely with
Judge Baldwin throughout the negotiations to create a dual campus at Penn
State Dickinson Law School, and know her to be a terrific person, an extremely
talented and intelligent person and a dedicated public servant."
Baldwin, 60, was the first elected African-American female judge on the
Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas in 1989. She is assigned to the civil
division, but was first a family and juvenile court judge. She is the Chair
of the board of trustees at The Pennsylvania State University, where she
earned a bachelor's degree in English and a master's in American literature.
She earned her law degree at Duquesne University where she is a member of the
Board of Directors as well as a past president of its Law Alumni Board.
"Judge Baldwin has not only served Pennsylvanians proudly from the bench
and on numerous boards, but continues a lifelong commitment to community
service and activism which made her a perfect candidate," said Governor
Rendell.
Judge Baldwin is a past appointee to the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime
and Delinquency, serving for 12 years under Governor Robert Casey, and is a
past member of the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing. She is a seasoned
attorney having been associated with several law firms and serving as
attorney-in-charge for the Bureau of Consumer Protection for the Office of the
Attorney General.
"With so many competent people who wanted to serve on this Court I am
thrilled that Governor Rendell has given me this phenomenal opportunity to
serve the people of Pennsylvania," said Judge Baldwin. "After 16 years in the
Court of Common Pleas I know to listen well and to serve well are the best
tools a jurist can possess. I am proud to put my experience and my dedication
to the law to use for all Pennsylvanians."
Judge Baldwin lives with her husband Arthur L. Baldwin in White Oak, and
has two adult children.
The Rendell Administration is committed to creating a first-rate public
education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing
economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find out
more about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his weekly
newsletter, visit his Web site at:
http://www.governor.state.pa.us.
CONTACT:
Kate Philips
717-783-1116