Judge Paul P. Panepinto currently serves as Judge on the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas, Civil Division.
Judge Panepinto served Philadelphia Family Court from 1971 to 1990 in varying capacities, advancing from a probation officer to juvenile master. He worked his way through law school and was elected to the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas in 1991.
Judge Panepinto serves as a Judge on the Court of Judicial Discipline, hearing cases where formal charges have been filed against judicial officers. The Court of Judicial Discipline "has the authority to impose sanctions, ranging from a reprimand to removal from office." He was also appointed by Governor Tom Ridge to the Juvenile Court Judges' Commission on Pennsylvania.
Judge Panepinto also served on the Board of Directors for the Organized Anti-Crime Community Network and received an Outstanding Service Award from the Philadelphia Bar Association. In 2002, he was a recipient of the Juvenile Court Judges' Commission Award in Recognition of Outstanding Service to Pennsylvania's Juvenile Justice System.
Judge Panepinto was appointed Co-Chair of the Philadelphia Do the Write Thing Committee and Pennsylvania State Chair under the direction of the National Campaign to Stop Violence. He was also appointed to the Criminal Justice Board of Directors for the Eastern Regional Conference of the Council of State Governments in December 2003.
Judge Panepinto received Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Villanova University and a Juris Doctor degree from Widener University. He is a member of the Lawyers' Club of Philadelphia, the Justinian Society, the National Italian American Bar Association, the Knights of Columbus Cora Marie Council, and the Executive Council Board of Widener University School of Law. Judge Panepinto served for four years as President of Roxborough Lodge, Order Sons of Italy.
Judge Panepinto was a candidate for the Republican nomination to the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania in 2007. He was endorsed by multiple major newspapers and organizations across the state, including the Pennsylvania Bar Association, which labeled him "highly recommended." Judge Panepinto received over 260,000 votes on Election Day.
Judge Panepinto and his wife, Nancy, have been married for twenty-nine years. Nancy holds a Bachelor's degree from Villanova University and a Master's degree from the University of Pennsylvania. They have two children, Paul and Lynn. Paul is a graduate of LaSalle University and works as a probation officer at Philadelphia Family Court. Lynn is a student at St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia.
Awards:
- Outstanding Alumnus of the Year Award - Widener University School of Law, 1994
- Justinian Society Award - 1996
- Columbus Civic Association of Pennsylvania, Inc. - 1997
- Police Partnership Probation Award - 1998
- Philadelphia Bar Association Award - For outstanding service to the administration of justice in the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania as Administrative Judge for the Family Court Division of the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, 1998
- Philadelphia Bar Association Family Law Section Award - Recognition of the many contributions and achievements to the Family Division of the Court of Common Pleas, 1998
- Marvin E. Wolfgang Award - For dedication to justice and well being of children in Philadelphia Family Court by Philadelphia CASA, 1999
- We the People Ethnics Award - For recognition of Patriotic Endeavors and Contributions aimed at creating a better America for all, 1999
- Intercommunity Action Inc. Community Appreciation Award - For outstanding contributions toward improving the lives of Philadelphia's children at risk, 2000
- Outstanding Service to Pennsylvania's Juvenile Justice System - From the Juvenile Court Judges' Commission, 2002
- Awards of Recognition - From Governor Donald L. Carcieri and Attorney General Patrick Lynch of Rhode Island; in recognition of the instrumental role played in the establishment of a model for a Truancy Court program and dedication to truancy prevention on a national level, 2003
- Cavaliere - Nominated and awarded prestigious Italian recognition by the Consul General of Italy for significant contribution to the Republic of Italy in personal and professional life, 2005