The Berks County Bar Association on Tuesday released results of a poll, which asked members to rate the three candidates competing in the May 20 primary for nominations to serve as a Berks County Court of Common Pleas judge.
Only eight votes separated the candidates in the “Highly Recommended” rating with Kathryn Lehman receiving 91 votes (46% of votes cast for her), Eric Taylor 85 votes (42.7% of votes), and Lauren Marks 83 votes (42.3% of votes). A candidate who is “Highly Recommended” is one who “possesses the highest combination of legal ability, experience, integrity, and temperament, and would be capable of outstanding performance as a judge of the Berks County Court of Common Pleas.”
In the “Recommended” rating, Marks received 75 votes (38.3% of votes cast for her), Taylor 64 votes (32.2%) and Lehman 61 votes (30.8%). A rating of “Recommended” is “based on legal ability, experience, integrity, and temperament, the candidate would be able to perform satisfactorily as a judge of the Berks County Court of Common Pleas.”
And in the “Not Recommended at This Time” rating, Taylor received 50 votes (25.1% of ballots cast), Lehman 46 votes (23.2%), and Marks 38 votes (19.6%). A rating of “Not Recommended at This Time” is “based on legal ability, experience, integrity, or temperament, or any combination thereof, at the present time, the candidate is not able to perform satisfactorily as a judge of the Berks County Court of Common Pleas.”
These ratings and definitions are outlined in the bar association’s bylaws, which call for polling members in a plebiscite whenever there is an election for Berks County judge.
Ballots were sent via e-mail to 497 eligible bar association members and polling was open from April 3 through noon on April 9. A total of 202 ballots were returned – or 40.6% of the eligible bar members.
“The bar association’s plebiscite allows our members to express their individual opinions on which candidates are ready to serve the public and take on the tremendous responsibilities of serving as a judge,” said Bar Association President Dan Nevins. “Our members have interacted with these candidates and witnessed their temperament in dealing with clients, sitting judges, court staff, and others.”
Nevins added that the bar association does not endorse candidates.
“The bar association’s plebiscite is a solemn responsibility, which allows us to fulfill our mission of protecting the integrity of the legal system in Berks County, Nevins said. “My hope is that the voters of Berks County also consider it a vital public service.”
The complete vote totals are:
Kathryn Lehman – Highly Recommended 91 votes (46% of ballots cast). Recommended 61 votes (30.8% of ballots cast). Not Recommended at this time 46 votes (23.2% of ballots cast). Abstained: 4.
Lauren Marks – Highly Recommended 83 votes (42.3% of ballots cast). Recommended 75 votes (38.3% of ballots cast). Not Recommended at this time 38 votes (19.4% of ballots cast). Abstained: 6.
Eric Taylor – Highly Recommended 85 votes (42.7% of ballots cast). Recommended 64 votes (32.2% of ballots cast). Not Recommended at this time 50 (25.1% of ballots cast). Abstained: 3.
Lehman is a Berks County Assistant District Attorney, residing in Ontelaunee Township. Marks is a partner in the Reading-based law firm Palange, Endres and Marks where she practices civil, criminal, and family law. A co-chair of the Bar Association’s Family Law Section, Marks resides in Lower Heidelberg Township. Taylor, a West Reading resident, serves as a Magisterial District Judge for West Reading and Wyomissing. He is a co-chair of the Bar Association’s Minor Judiciary Practice and Procedure Section.
All three candidates are cross-filed on the Republican and Democratic tickets in the May 20 primary. The one vacancy on the bench was created by the July 2023 retirement of the Hon. Jeffrey K. Sprecher.
Judges serve 10 years, then must seek retention. The position pays $227,411 per year.