---
title: "Donna Long Brightbill | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/donna-long-brightbill-pa-52-59d6046c"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-26"
---

# Donna Long Brightbill

Court of Common Pleas of Lebanon County · Common Pleas Judge

## Profile

- Court: Court of Common Pleas of Lebanon County
- State: Pennsylvania
- Role: Common Pleas Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-26

## Summary

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

## 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.pacourts.us/courts/courts-of-common-pleas/common-pleas-judges/print-view)
- [Official roster](https://www.pacourts.us/courts/courts-of-common-pleas/common-pleas-judges/print-view)
- [Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania official judicial roster](https://www.pacourts.us/courts/courts-of-common-pleas/common-pleas-judges/print-view)
- [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)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- Elected in 2023 and sworn in January 2, 2024, Brightbill became the first female judge in Lebanon County’s top court, succeeding a long line of male predecessors

### Education


### Additional information

- President Judge John C. Tylwalk called her appointment “a historic moment” and noted her portrait will soon be added to the courtroom’s wall.
- She has appeared before all levels of Pennsylvania courts and is a partner at Long Brightbill, Lebanon, with four other attorneys
- While she does not see herself as a trailblazer, Brightbill acknowledges the importance of representation: “It’s good for younger people in our community to see that... it’s awesome that young women can look at me and say, ‘We have a woman judge’”.
- Brightbill, 62, grew up in Campbelltown, Pennsylvania, and completed studies at Palmyra High School.
- She earned her law degree with honors, graduating third in her class and receiving a full scholarship in her final year.



## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [201 Pa. Code Chapter 19, Rule 1910, Broadcasting, Recording and Photography in the Courtroom](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-0784d9a288c3456edcbc19ff) — Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim.  Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov/Display/pacode?d=&file=%2Fsecure%2Fpacode%2Fdata%2F201%2Fchapter19%2Fchap19toc.html). Collected 2026-07-26.