Pittsburgh – Attorney Jill Beck today announced that she is running to serve on the Pennsylvania Superior Court to continue her tireless fight for fairness in our judicial system. Raised in Pittsburgh, Jill has dedicated her career to ensuring that all Pennsylvanians, particularly the most disadvantaged among us, have equal access to justice. She now hopes to take that dedication, experience and integrity to one of Pennsylvania’s top appellate courts.
“For as long as I can remember, I wanted to help people who don’t have a voice and be an advocate for the underserved. This is what drew me to pursue a legal career nearly 20 years ago,” said Jill. “I know firsthand that justice is served only when every person – regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or income – has fair and equal access to the courts. I am running for Pennsylvania Superior Court to ensure that all Pennsylvanians have a voice in our legal system.”
No stranger to Pennsylvania’s appellate court system, Jill spent ten years as a law clerk for the Honorable Christine Donohue – first on the Superior Court and then the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. In that position, Jill drafted decisions for criminal, civil, family, juvenile, and orphans’ court cases that were grounded in the law and achieved substantial justice for individuals, families, and businesses across the Commonwealth.
Prior to her work with Justice Donohue, Jill fought for hundreds of abused and neglected children as an attorney for the nonprofit organization KidsVoice. Jill’s service at KidsVoice did not stop with ensuring that the legal rights of her young clients were protected. She worked diligently to ensure they were cared for and that their basic human needs were met. KidsVoice honored her for her advocacy in 2008, and Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Allegheny County gave her their Children’s Voice Award in 2010.
“We were going through an intense adoption process with our now twin boys. Jill went above and beyond to help support our case,” said Melinda Suzensky, a parent of children Jill represented while at KidsVoice. “She showed us a level of compassion and dedication to making sure our children would get the best possible care by becoming a part of our family. Jill is a remarkable lawyer and person. If it wasn’t for her determination and loyalty to our twin boys we wouldn’t have them today.”
Jill spent the last year in private practice as a civil litigator at Blank Rome in Pittsburgh, a law firm she selected because of its commitment to providing free legal services to those who cannot afford them. In that role, she continued to help the underserved in Pennsylvania’s legal system, representing victims of domestic violence, assisting those experiencing housing insecurity, aiding in voter protection efforts and helping criminal defendants unable to afford legal representation. Jill has been a member of Blank Rome’s Pro Bono Coordinating Committee and has been involved in the firm’s work to address systemic criminal justice reforms, civil rights, and voter protection issues.
Kevin Eddy, a fellow attorney at Blank Rome said, “Jill shows excellent judgment, an enthusiasm for work, and steadfast self-discipline – and she has always performed her work with joy and a sense of humor. Equally important is her commitment to the community. Jill has been involved in numerous pro bono initiatives and community engagement activities. She does so, not for the accolades, but for the mission of making life better for others.”
The Allegheny County Bar Association Judiciary Committee is highly recommending Jill in her candidacy for Superior Court. A Bar Association “highly recommended” rating means a candidate, among other qualities, “possesses the highest reputation for integrity and temperament; exhibits outstanding citizenship by way of community and professional contributions; and is an exceptional individual who will enhance or has enhanced the competency, dignity and public perception of the bench.”
Jill Beck is running for the Pennsylvania Superior Court to ensure that justice in Pennsylvania truly is for ALL. Learn more about Jill at www.jillbeck.com.