---
title: "Judith Ference Olson | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/judith-ference-olson-pa-superior-court"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-08-02"
---

# Judith Ference Olson

Superior Court of Pennsylvania · Superior Court Judge

## Profile

- Court: Superior Court of Pennsylvania
- State: Pennsylvania
- Role: Superior Court Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-27

## Summary

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

## Biography

### Professional career

- Judge, Superior Court of Pennsylvania, 2010-present
- Judge, Superior Court of Pennsylvania (2010–2030)
- She later joined Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis LLP as a partner, chairing its Antitrust and Trade Regulation Practice Group

### Education


### Additional information

- Olson has received multiple honors, including the St. Thomas More Award (2022) and the Earl G. Harrison Community Service Award (2008).
- She was retained in the 2019 election for another 10-year term
- On November 3, 2009, she was elected to the Superior Court of Pennsylvania for a 10-year term, taking office in January 2010.
- In 2008, she was appointed by Governor Edward G. Rendell to the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County (Civil Division) and unanimously confirmed by the Pennsylvania Senate
- Began her legal career at Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote in Pittsburgh (1984–2000)
- Born October 19, 1957 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Olson earned her B.A. in Political Science and Theatre Arts magna cum laude from Saint Francis University in 1979, and her J.D. from Duquesne University School of Law in 1982, graduating second in her class.
- Date of birth: 1957-10-19
- focusing on complex commercial litigation.
- She clerked for Hon.
- She serves on the Appellate Court Procedural Rules Committee and is active in the Pennsylvania and Allegheny County Bar Associations
- She is a fellow of the Allegheny County Bar Foundation and has served on the Board of Trustees of Saint Francis University, the American Heart Association, and the Diocese of Pittsburgh’s Bishop’s Pastoral Council
- Birth place: Pittsburgh

## 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/superior-court/superior-court-judges/judge-judith-ference-olson)
- [Official roster](https://www.pacourts.us/courts/superior-court/superior-court-judges/judge-judith-ference-olson)
- [Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania official judicial roster](https://www.pacourts.us/courts/superior-court/superior-court-judges/judge-judith-ference-olson)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8241/judith-ference-olson/)
- [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/8241/judith-ference-olson/)
- [Wikidata: Judith Ference Olson](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q60048850)

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