With seven open seats on the Court of Common Pleas, Montgomery County voters have an unprecedented opportunity to change the face of the bench to reflect the diversity of the county. Cheryl Lynn Austin, Joel Bernbaum, Richard Haaz, Jeff Lindy, Lois Murphy, Michael Shields, and Ann Thornburg Weiss have a wide breadth of knowledge and significant experience as lawyers. 

Did you know that almost 50% of the cases pending before the Court of Common Pleas involve Family Court issues?  Our slate is committed to protecting our children and families and tacking a backlog of cases to prevent unnecessary suffering.

The Court of Common Pleas touches many lives in Montgomery County. Our candidates possess a commitment to fairness, efficiency, impartiality, and justice for all the citizens of our county. 

Bring change and balance to the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas bench - Vote Democratic on November 3!

OUR CANDIDATES 

Cheryl Lynne Austin

A retired U.S. Navy Captain, Cheryl Lynne Austin was named a "Rising Star" by Philadelphia Magazine for her work as an Elder Law Attorney. She also served as a Montgomery County Assistant District Attorney where she took on and prosecuted white-collar criminals.

Joel Bernbaum

Joel Bernbaum is a leader in family law, is a past President of the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. He served our country in the U.S. Army Reserves and gives back to the community by coaching little league baseball and serving on the Board of the Lupus Foundation.

Richard Haaz

Richard Haaz has 30 years of courtroom experience successfully fighting for victims of discrimination, abuse and neglect.  He is a board director for Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and serves as a Judge Pro Tem and as a senior hearing committee member for the Supreme Court disciplinary board.

Jeff Lindy

Jeff Lindy is a former federal and state prosecutor who put white-collar criminals, violent criminals and drug traffickers behind bars. He is endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police. He served on the Board of the National Clearinghouse for the Defense of Battered Women and volunteers with the Union Fire Association.

Lois Murphy

Lois Murphy graduated from Harvard Law School, clerked on the U.S. Court of Appeals, and served in the U.S. Department of Justice. As an attorney with NARAL Pro-Choice America, Lois helped protect a woman's right to choose. Lois represents individuals, families, and charities and has years of courtroom experience in Montgomery County.

  Michael Shields

Michael Shields is an Army Veteran (1968-1970) who served with an Infantry Division in Korea. He has practiced law in Montgomery County since 1974, specializing in civil litigation, estates, zoning, and arbitration and mediation. He has served as a Court-Appointed Discovery Master since 1996.

Ann Thornburg Weiss

Elected Montgomery County Clerk of Courts in 2007, Ann Thornburg Weiss modernized the office and saved taxpayers money.  She's a municipal, zoning, and land development lawyer, who served as Township Commissioner in Upper Dublin and volunteers to help provide ambulance service in the Ambler area.

For more information visit www.judgeswecanbelievein.com.