A special argument session at Penn State Law on April 1 and 2 allowed the Superior Court of Pennsylvania to bring law to life for area students. A three-judge panel heard appeals from the trial court level on cases involving civil, criminal, and family law.
The Superior Court, established in 1895, is one of Pennsylvania's two statewide intermediate appellate courts and is often the final arbiter of legal disputes. Judge Christine Donohue (left), Judge Cheryl Lynn Allen (middle) and Judge Vic Stabile '82 (right) are three of fifteen Superior Court judges.
Local students fill the jury box. Teachers from State College Area School District, Bald Eagle Area School District, Bellefonte Area School District, and Penns Valley School District arranged field trips to campus.
Lawyers prepare to argue. “This is a court that enjoys oral argument,” said Judge Christine Donohue. “We’re known as a very hot court, so we spend a lot of time preparing in advance. So lawyers don’t have to waste their time on the facts of the cases.”
Superior Court clerks Jared Mason, Bob Kuhl, Grace W. Orsatti, Erin Lutz and Ashley Nichols '11 took part in a career panel and a networking reception with Penn State Law students.