Stella Tsai

Professional career

• Judge of the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania for the term 2026–2035, succeeding Ellen Ceisler
• Stella Ming Tsai is a Democratic Party judge of the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania, elected in 2025 and taking office January 5, 2026, after a career as a Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas judge and practicing attorney
• She emphasizes accessibility, fairness, and independence in delivering justice

Education

Additional information

• Born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to immigrant parents, Tsai grew up in Middletown and has called Philadelphia home since 1985.
• Before joining the bench, Tsai was a litigator handling criminal, civil, and transactional matters, and she volunteered in voting rights, immigrant rights, and civil rights work
• On the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, she presided over a wide range of cases, including criminal waiver trials, land use disputes, elections, wills, trusts, guardianships, custody, contracts, medical malpractice, and motor vehicle accident cases.
• She also served on local and statewide judicial committees and the Judicial Ethics Advisory Board