Kevin Dougherty
Kevin M. Dougherty is a justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. He previously served on the Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas in Philadelphia from 2001 to 2016, including as an administrative judge of the trial division.
Biography
Dougherty grew up in South Philadelphia in what he described as a "very blue-collar, working-class neighborhood". He was the first member of his family to graduate from college, working three part-time jobs while attending Temple University. He later earned his Juris Doctor degree from the Antioch School of Law in Washington, D.C. in 1988.Judicial career
Court of Common Pleas (2001–2016)
Dougherty was appointed to the Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas in Philadelphia by Governor Tom Ridge in 2001 and was elected later that year to a full ten-year term, receiving the highest vote total among fourteen candidates. Following his election, Dougherty requested assignment to the family division, where he believed he could have the greatest societal impact.In 2003, Dougherty became Supervising Judge of the Juvenile Division of Philadelphia Family Court. In that role, he implemented administrative reforms aimed at improving access to the courts and modernizing court culture. He ran unopposed for retention in 2011 and was retained with 78 percent of the vote, receiving support from both Democratic and Republican voters.
Pennsylvania Supreme Court (2016–present)
Dougherty was elected to the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania in 2015 and was sworn into office on January 4, 2016. He has since served as an associate justice of the court. While serving on the Supreme Court, Dougherty has led initiatives to improve accessibility in courtrooms, including efforts to make proceedings more inclusive for individuals with sensory sensitivities.Elections
2015 Supreme Court election
Dougherty ran as a Democrat in the 2015 election for the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. He was part of a Democratic sweep of all three open seats on the court, alongside David Wecht and Christine Donohue, defeating Republican candidates Judith Olsen, Michael George, and Anne Covey.The campaign was among the most expensive judicial races in state history, with more than $15 million spent statewide. Dougherty received a "recommended" rating from the Pennsylvania Bar Association and drew significant support from organized labor groups. Media coverage noted that his brother, Philadelphia labor leader John J. "Johnny Doc" Dougherty, played a prominent role in fundraising for the campaign.