---
title: "Paula Francisco Ott | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/paula-francisco-ott-8242"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-08-02"
---

# Paula Francisco Ott

Superior Court of Pennsylvania · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Superior 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, Superior Court of Pennsylvania, 2010-present
- 2005–2009 – held the role of President Judge of Chester County Court of Common Pleas
- Began her legal career as Assistant District Attorney for Chester County (1975–1978) and later as Assistant County Solicitor (1978–1981)
- Legacy: Pioneering role for women in Pennsylvania judiciary, active in elder justice and guardianship law
- Distinguished judge in Pennsylvania’s judicial system, notable for being the first woman elected to the Chester County Court of Common Pleas and later serving on the Pennsylvania Superior Court

### Education

- B.A. in Political Science from the University of Delaware in 1972, followed by her J.D. and Master of Laws from Temple University Beasley School of Law in 1975 and 1981, respectively

### Additional information

- In 2022, she was honored by Gawthrop Greenwood with a historic Pennsylvania Railroad club car chair in recognition of her contributions to the legal field and advancing women in the law
- Now a Senior Judge in the Pennsylvania judicial system
- Ott was Co-Chair of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s Advisory Council on Elder Justice in the Courts and served on the Elder Law Task Force and Guardianship Monitoring Committee.
- She also chaired the Orphans’ Court Rules Committee for six years

## 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/8242/paula-francisco-ott/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8242/paula-francisco-ott/)
- [Superior Court of Pennsylvania current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8242/paula-francisco-ott/)
- [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/8242/paula-francisco-ott/)

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