Senators Dave McCormick and John Fetterman have announced the establishment of a bipartisan leadership team to oversee the selection of candidates for future judicial appointments to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. This court serves one of the nation’s most populous and legally intricate regions, making this initiative particularly significant.
Formation of the Judicial Selection Commission
As part of this initiative, Andy Reilly and Deborah Willig have been appointed as co-chairs of the judicial selection commission. This commission will be responsible for reviewing applications and guiding the evaluation process of potential nominees. Their recommendations will be forwarded for consideration, playing a pivotal role in shaping the federal judiciary in the region.
Senator McCormick emphasized that the selection process should prioritize legal excellence and adherence to constitutional principles. He stated the importance of appointing judges who can apply the law fairly and competently. Senator Fetterman noted that the co-chairs have a deep-rooted history of leadership within the Philadelphia legal community, which positions them well to identify candidates who reflect and serve the diverse populations of Eastern Pennsylvania.
Profiles of the Co-Chairs
Reilly is of counsel at the Pennsylvania-based law firm Stevens & Lee. He possesses decades of experience advising both public and private sector clients in areas such as government relations, regulatory matters, litigation, and complex business transactions. His public service includes work with municipal entities, participation on federal and state judicial and disciplinary panels, and leading a U.S. Senate-appointed commission tasked with vetting candidates for senior federal law enforcement positions.
Willig, a managing partner at Willig, Williams & Davidson, is nationally recognized in labor relations and employment law. With over 40 years of experience, she has represented unions in both public and private sectors, significantly influencing major collective bargaining negotiations. Furthermore, she made history as the first female chancellor of the Philadelphia Bar Association and has garnered numerous accolades for her advocacy and leadership in the legal profession.
Applications for judicial appointments to the Eastern District of Pennsylvania opened on September 30, 2025, and the deadline for submission is December 31, 2025. The commission is expected to commence its review process shortly after the deadline, setting the stage for recommendations that could influence the region’s federal judiciary for decades to come.
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