---
title: "Bernard L. McGinley | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/bernard-l-mcginley-8213"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-08-02"
---

# Bernard L. McGinley

Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania
- State: Pennsylvania
- Role: Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-06-30

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career

- Judge, Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania, 2008-present
- American judge who served on the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court from 1988 until his retirement in 2016, and earlier as a judge of the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas
- Judge, Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court (1988–2016), elected in 1987 and retained in 2007
- In 1981, McGinley was elected as a judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County in 1981
- From 1975 to 1981, McGinley was engaged in private law practice, and also chaired the Board of Viewers for Allegheny County from 1975 to 1980
- He also completed Basic Officer Training at Brooke Army Medical Center in 1971 and was honorably discharged as a Captain in the U.S. Army Reserve, Medical Service Corps in 1976
- Assistant District Attorney for Allegheny County from 1971 to 1974
- McGinley’s career spanned public prosecution, private practice, trial court service, and appellate judicial work
- Law clerk for Judge Robert A. Doyle, Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas

### Education

- University of Pittsburgh School of Law in — J.D. (1970)
- John Carroll University in — B.A. (1967)

### Additional information

- After serving as a member of the Court of Common Pleas for 28 years, McGinley retired in 2016.
- Elected to a 10-year term on the court in November 1987 (effective January 4, 1988), and was retained three times.
- Instructor of criminal law for the Allegheny County Community College from 1974 to 1975.
- Born January 7, 1946.
- Date of birth: 1946-01-07

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### recording photography evidence presentation

Scope: statewide

For Pennsylvania Common Pleas proceedings, statewide Pa.R.J.A. 1910 prohibits courtroom broadcasting, recording, and photography unless an exception or judicial authorization applies; the rule also recognizes judge-authorized electronic or photographic means for evidence presentation.

Evidence excerpt: the use of electronic or photographic means for the presentation of evidence

[201 Pa. Code Chapter 19, Rule 1910, Broadcasting, Recording and Photography in the Courtroom](https://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov/Display/pacode?d=&file=%2Fsecure%2Fpacode%2Fdata%2F201%2Fchapter19%2Fchap19toc.html)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8213/bernard-l-mcginley/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8213/bernard-l-mcginley/)
- [Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8213/bernard-l-mcginley/)
- [201 Pa. Code Chapter 19, Rule 1910, Broadcasting, Recording and Photography in the Courtroom](https://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov/Display/pacode?d=&file=%2Fsecure%2Fpacode%2Fdata%2F201%2Fchapter19%2Fchap19toc.html)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8213/bernard-l-mcginley/)
- [Bernard McGinley - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Bernard_McGinley)
- [Bernard McGinley - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernard_McGinley)

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