Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court
Historical Society

Preserving the history of one of the nation's unique judicial institutions

Dear Friends:

In 2007, a group of attorneys, including judges on the Commonwealth Court, law clerks and active practitioners, created the Commonwealth Court Historical Society. The mission of the Historical Society is to preserve the history of the Court and to educate the public about the Court’s contribution to Pennsylvania’s jurisprudence, particularly in the areas of administrative practice and procedure, statutory construction and the Pennsylvania Constitution.

To that end, the Historical Society has awarded numerous scholarships to law students who have demonstrated excellence in their study of administrative law. Each year, the Historical Society offers several one-hour continuing legal education programs on such pertinent subjects as the future of state regulation in the new “sharing economy.” The Historical Society has sponsored a law school symposium on the Commonwealth Court and has assisted in the publication of numerous review articles covering key decisions of the Court since its creation in 1970. Dan Schuckers, Commonwealth Court’s retired long-term Prothonotary, is collecting the reminiscences of former judges and their law clerks.

Commonwealth Court is believed to be unique among state appellate courts for its jurisdiction dedicated solely to matters involving state and local government. I applaud the Historical Society for its outstanding contribution to legal education and preservation of the Court’s historical record. I thank former President Judge Bonnie Leadbetter for her leadership in the formation of the Historical Society and former President Judge Dan Pellegrini for his contribution to its continuing success.

Please take time to review the materials on this website and consider becoming involved in the Commonwealth Court Historical Society.

Sincerely yours,
Mary Hannah Leavitt
President Judge
Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania