Honorable
Susan Peikes Gantman
President Judge of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania
In office
January 6, 2014 (2014-01-06) – January 3, 2019 (2019-01-03)
Preceded byJohn T. Bender
Succeeded byJack Panella
Judge of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania
In office
January 4, 2004 (2004-01-04) – April 1, 2020 (2020-04-01)[1]
Succeeded byMegan Sullivan
Personal details
Born (1952-08-08) August 8, 1952[2]
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Political partyRepublican
SpouseLewis Gantman
Parent(s)Dr. Irwin L. Peikes and Thelma Peikes
Alma materBachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees, University of Pennsylvania (cum laude, 1974)
Juris Doctor, Villanova University School of Law (1977)

Susan Peikes Gantman (born August 8, 1952) was a senior judge and president judge emeritus of the Pennsylvania Superior Court. She has been described by historians as "a tireless advocate on behalf of children and other victims of abuse."[3][4][5]

Formative years and family

A daughter of Thelma Peikes and Dr. Irwin L. Peikes, and the wife of Lewis Gantman, Susan Peikes Gantman was born in Norristown, Pennsylvania.[6][7] She earned her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees as a cum laude graduate of the University of Pennsylvania in 1974 and her Juris Doctor degree from the Villanova University School of Law in 1977.[3][8]

A law clerk of Judge Richard S. Lowe in the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas from 1977 to 1978, Gantman was employed as the solicitor for both the Montgomery County Office of Children and Youth and the Montgomery County Housing and Community Development from 1978 to 2002, and a Montgomery County assistant district attorney for the major felony-homicide unit from 1978 to 1981.[3][8][9]

She then entered private practice as an attorney in 1981 and served in that capacity until 2004, during which time she provided guidance to clients regarding domestic law, juvenile law, Orphans’ Court actions, and appellate issues. In 1991, she became a partner with Sherr, Joffe & Zuckerman, P.C., and chaired the firm's domestic relations department. Hired as a senior member of Cozen O’Connor in 1998, she co-chaired that firm's family law department.[3][8]

Elected as a Republican to the Pennsylvania Superior Court in 2003 during a close contest that was subsequently contested,[10][11] she took office on January 5, 2004. Retained in 2013, she served as president judge from 2014 to 2019,[12][13] and took senior status as in 2020.[3][14][8]

On August 28 and 31, 2015, Gantman approved twenty search warrants that were filed by Montgomery County prosecutors during their investigation of Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane for perjury, obstruction of justice and related charges.[15] Kane was subsequently convicted.[16][17]

In 2016, Gantman wrote the opinion of a three-judge panel that overturned a sanction issued by a Common Pleas judge against a medical malpractice attorney.[18]

On April 14, 2022, Gantman was appointed to a four-year term on Pennsylvania's Judicial Conduct Board.[19][20]

Gantman was also an educator who created and presented multiple training programs for members of the Lawyers Club of Philadelphia, the Montgomery County and Pennsylvania Bar associations, Pennsylvania's Department of Public Welfare, and the Pennsylvania State Police Academy. Her seminars frequently addressed appellate practice and procedure.[8]

Later years

Gantman retired from the bench in 2021. She planned to write civics education books for children.[21][22]

Awards and other honors

Gantman has received multiple honors during her career, including:[8]

  • Anne X. Alpern Award, Pennsylvania Bar Association (2011)
  • Bond of Faith, Temple Beth Hillel-Beth El
  • Harnwell Award, University of Pennsylvania (1974)
  • Honoree, Brandeis Law Society Law Day
  • Honoree, Villanova Law Alumni Association (2006)
  • Juvenile Advisory Association Award
  • Margaret Richardson Award, Montgomery Bar Association (2008)
  • Outstanding Service Award, Montgomery County Office of Children and Youth

Community service and professional affiliations

Gantman has been active with multiple civic, non-profit and professional associations throughout her life, including:[8]

  • American Bar Association (member)
  • Federation of Allied Jewish Appeal (board of directors)
  • Montgomery County Bar Association (member of the association and of the association's Taxis Circle)
  • National Association of Women Judges (member)
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association (member of the association's Commission on Women in the Profession and a fellow of the association's foundation)
  • Villanova University School of Law (Inns of Court, Master)
  • Women of Vision (board of directors)
  • Women's Philanthropy (board of directors)

References

  1. ↑ "Judicial Conduct Board - Press Release" (PDF). February 28, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Susan Peikes Gantman - Persona Data Questionnaire" (PDF).
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "JUDGE SUSAN PEIKES GANTMAN". www.superior.court.state.pa.us. Pennsylvania Superior Court. Archived from the original on 2005-02-18.
  4. ↑ Slobodzian, Joseph A. "Sprague motion: Court tardy, so yank case." Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: The Philadelphia Inquirer, February 28, 2014, p. B1 (subscription required).
  5. ↑ "President Judge Emeritus Susan Peikes Gantman" (profile). Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: Historical Society of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania, retrieved online June 8, 2023.
  6. ↑ "Thelma Peikes" (obituary). Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: The Philadelphia Inquirer, June 7, 2014, p. B5 (subscription required).
  7. ↑ "Thelma Peikes" (obituary). Norristown, Pennsylvania: The Times Herald, June 2, 2014 (retrieved online via Legacy.com, June 8, 2023).
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "President Judge Emeritus Susan Peikes Gantman," Historical Society of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania.
  9. ↑ "Pennsylvania Superior Court: Three have right skills for busy bench." Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: The Philadelphia Inquirer, October 20, 2003, p. A10 (subscription required).
  10. ↑ Scolforo, Mark. "GOP claims victory in state Superior Court race: Democratic opponent files lawsuit in federal court to overturn outcome." Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, December 31, 2003.
  11. ↑ "Winner Named in Disputed Pennsylvania Court Race." Los Angeles, California: Los Angeles Times, January 3, 2004 (subscription required).
  12. ↑ Owens, Dennis. "Women found on appellate courts." Carlisle, Pennsylvania: The Sentinel, March 28, 2017, p. A4 (subscription required).
  13. ↑ "Justice Stevens honored." Hazleton, Pennsylvania: Standard-Speaker, May 10, 2014, p. A5 (subscription required).
  14. ↑ Ohl, Danielle. "Who's running for Pa. high court?" Chambersburg, Pennsylvania: Public Opinion, October 19, 2021, pp. A1, A3 (subscription required).
  15. ↑ Levy, Marc and Mark Scolforo. "Kane fights to avoid suspension." Scranton, Pennsylvania: The Times-Tribune, September 5, 2015, p. A1, A12 (subscription required).
  16. ↑ Dale, Maryclaire (16 August 2016). "Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane Found Guilty on All Charges in Perjury Trial". Associated Press. NBC 10 Philadelphia. Retrieved 16 August 2016.
  17. ↑ Bidgood, Jess (16 August 2016). "Pennsylvania's Attorney General Is Convicted on All Counts". The New York Times. New York Times. Retrieved 16 August 2016.
  18. ↑ Mondics, Chris. "Lawyer wins fight over sanction, but still suffers." Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: The Philadelphia Inquirer, June 21, 2016, pp. A, A11 (subscription required).
  19. ↑ "In the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania: In Re: Appointment to Judicial Conduct Board," in "Supreme Court Rules Docket" (No. 912, April 14, 2022). Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, April 14, 2022 (retrieved online June 8, 2023).
  20. ↑ "Current Board Members." Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: Judicial Conduct Board of Pennsylvania, retrieved online June 8, 2023.
  21. ↑ Scolforo, Mark. "Pa. court vacancies to give voters a say." Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: The Philadelphia Inquirer, August 1, 2021, p. B4 (subscription required).
  22. ↑ Ohl, "Who's running for Pa. high court?", Public Opinion, October 19, 2021.
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