Mary Jane Bowes
Encyclopedia
Mary Jane Bowes is a judge of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania
. She was elected in 2001 and began her term in January 2002.
from Georgetown University
in 1976 and a law degree
from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law
in 1979. After graduating law school, she clerked
for Chief Justice Henry X. O'Brien of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
and Senior Judges Harry Montgomery and John P. Hester of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania.
From 1986 until 1998, she worked in private practice. From 1998 until 2001, she served as corporate counsel to a large environmental remediation firm.
, Bowes ran as a Republican for one of three open seats on the Superior Court of Pennsylvania. She was one of four Republicans and three Democrats to run. She received a rating of "not recommended" from the Pennsylvania Bar Association, which cited her "extremely limited" trial and appellate advocacy experience. However, she was endorsed for the Republican nomination by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
and also received the endorsement of the Republican State Committee
.
In the primary, Bowes received 428,013 votes, or 29.1%, more than any other candidate in the Republican primary race. Along with fellow Republicans Richard B. Klein and John T. Bender, she went on to the general election to face Democrats David Wecht, Lydia Y. Kirkland, and Stephanie Domitrovich.
In the general election, she was again endorsed by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. She ultimately received 1,006,251 votes, or 18.7%, the second-most of any of the six candidates. Since she was among the top three candidates, she won a seat on the Superior Court.
Both of the other two winning Superior Court candidates were Republicans too. Analysts attributed the Republican sweep to low urban turnout.
, Bowes faced a retention vote
to decide whether she would serve another term. The Pennsylvania Bar Association recommended that voters elect to retain her, citing her work ethic, intellect, community involvement, and clear writing. In the general election on November 8, Pennsylvanians voted overwhelmingly to retain her.
Superior Court of Pennsylvania
The Superior Court of Pennsylvania is one of two Pennsylvania intermediate appellate courts, the other being the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania. Appeal to the Superior Court is generally of right from final decisions of the Court of Common Pleas...
. She was elected in 2001 and began her term in January 2002.
Education and legal career
Bowes earned a Bachelor of ArtsBachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
from Georgetown University
Georgetown University
Georgetown University is a private, Jesuit, research university whose main campus is in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Founded in 1789, it is the oldest Catholic university in the United States...
in 1976 and a law degree
Law degree
A Law degree is an academic degree conferred for studies in law. Such degrees are generally preparation for legal careers; but while their curricula may be reviewed by legal authority, they do not themselves confer a license...
from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law
University of Pittsburgh School of Law
The University of Pittsburgh School of Law was founded in 1895, and became a charter member of the Association of American Law Schools in 1900...
in 1979. After graduating law school, she clerked
Law clerk
A law clerk or a judicial clerk is a person who provides assistance to a judge in researching issues before the court and in writing opinions. Law clerks are not court clerks or courtroom deputies, who are administrative staff for the court. Most law clerks are recent law school graduates who...
for Chief Justice Henry X. O'Brien of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania is the court of last resort for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It meets in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.-History:...
and Senior Judges Harry Montgomery and John P. Hester of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania.
From 1986 until 1998, she worked in private practice. From 1998 until 2001, she served as corporate counsel to a large environmental remediation firm.
2001 Superior Court election
In Pennsylvania's 2001 judicial electionsPennsylvania state elections, 2001
Pennsylvania's state elections were held November 6, 2001. Necessary primary elections were held on May 15, 2001- Justice of the Supreme Court:- Judge of the Superior Court:- Judge of the Commonwealth Court:...
, Bowes ran as a Republican for one of three open seats on the Superior Court of Pennsylvania. She was one of four Republicans and three Democrats to run. She received a rating of "not recommended" from the Pennsylvania Bar Association, which cited her "extremely limited" trial and appellate advocacy experience. However, she was endorsed for the Republican nomination by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, also known simply as the "PG," is the largest daily newspaper serving metropolitan Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.-Early history:...
and also received the endorsement of the Republican State Committee
Republican State Committee of Pennsylvania
The Republican Party of Pennsylvania is based in Harrisburg in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It is affiliated with the Republican Party of the United States.-Founding:...
.
In the primary, Bowes received 428,013 votes, or 29.1%, more than any other candidate in the Republican primary race. Along with fellow Republicans Richard B. Klein and John T. Bender, she went on to the general election to face Democrats David Wecht, Lydia Y. Kirkland, and Stephanie Domitrovich.
In the general election, she was again endorsed by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. She ultimately received 1,006,251 votes, or 18.7%, the second-most of any of the six candidates. Since she was among the top three candidates, she won a seat on the Superior Court.
Both of the other two winning Superior Court candidates were Republicans too. Analysts attributed the Republican sweep to low urban turnout.
2011 retention election
Bowes's initial ten-year term will end in December 2011. In Pennsylvania's 2011 judicial electionsPennsylvania state elections, 2011
Pennsylvania held statewide elections on November 8, 2011, to fill judicial positions and allow judicial retention votes. The necessary primary elections were held on May 17, 2011.-Judge of the Superior Court:...
, Bowes faced a retention vote
Retention election
A judicial retention election is a periodic process whereby a judge is subject to a referendum held at the same time as a general election...
to decide whether she would serve another term. The Pennsylvania Bar Association recommended that voters elect to retain her, citing her work ethic, intellect, community involvement, and clear writing. In the general election on November 8, Pennsylvanians voted overwhelmingly to retain her.