Candidate for
Justice; Pennsylvania Supreme Court; Republican Party

Judge Cheryl Lynn Allen has been a sitting Judge since 1990 serving in the Court of Common Pleas, the Fifth Judicial District of Pennsylvania, and as a statewide elected Superior Court Judge where she hears lower court appeals in Pennsylvania.

Judge Allen has received the Highest Recommendation from the Pennsylvania Bar Association for elevation to the Supreme Court. It is the second time the Pennsylvania Bar Association has given Judge Allen their Highest Recommendation for an elevation to a higher court.

In running for Superior Court, Judge Allen received not only the PA Bar's Highest Recommendation, but the endorsements of the pro-life LIFEPAC, the Firearm Owners Against Crime - FOAC, the Veteran's Alumni Association and most of Pennsylvania's major daily newspapers.

With widespread support, Judge Allen won the Pennsylvania state primary election, winning first place among three candidates, and she went on to win a seat in the general election.

She is a Pittsburgh native and a graduate of Schenley High School, Penn State University, and the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.

Judge Allen began her career as an elementary school teacher in the Pittsburgh Public Schools. After graduating from law school, she worked as an attorney for Neighborhood Legal Services, and the Allegheny County Law Department. She also maintained a small private civil practice, working as a small business owner.

In the spring of 1990, Judge Allen earned a merit selection appointment to the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, where she served in the Criminal Division. Judge Allen was elected to a ten-year term in November of 1991 and was assigned to the Juvenile Section of the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas. The voters retained Judge Allen for a second ten-year term in November of 2001, and she continued to serve in the Juvenile Section until April 2, 2004.

While serving in Juvenile Court, Judge Allen was appointed to the Supreme Court Juvenile Court Judges Commission. On April 12, 2004, Judge Allen returned to the Criminal Division, where she served until her matriculation to the Superior Court.

Judge Allen was also an Associate Professor at Point Park University from 2001-2006. Judge Allen continues to support a strong education system in Pennsylvania.

Judge Allen has volunteered extensively throughout her career. She currently serves on the boards of the Pittsburgh Leadership Foundation, Hosanna House, Cornerstone Television, Waynesburg University Board of Trustees, and the National Regional Church CARE Advisory Board. She is a former Board Member of Child Watch and CASA (Court Appointment Special Advocates).

In addition, Judge Allen has been instrumental in the creation and implementation of treatment programs such as the Academy's Alternative Summer School Program and the Alternative to Detention program through Youth Enrichment Services. Judge Allen also worked with the Juvenile Law Project to implement the Birth Parent Mentoring Program.

Judge Allen has received numerous awards and recognition for her efforts on behalf of children and families including The Juvenile Court Judge's Commission award, The Pennsylvania Commission for Women's History Month award, The Allegheny County Bar Association's Juvenile Justice award, University of Pittsburgh's Alumni of the Year Award, The Pittsburgh Courier Woman of Distinction Award, and others.

Allen is married to Jimmie Skipwith and is the mother of 3 sons, Frederick, Justin and Jason, and the grandmother of six. Raising her sons to be responsible and productive young men is one of her proudest accomplishments. Judge Allen is the eldest of five siblings, born to Robert and Corrine Allen.