Matthew Wolf

Judge Matthew (Matt) Wolf (D) is the Supervising Civil Judge of the Philadelphia Municipal Court. "As Supervising Judge, he guided the court through the pandemic; he started the heralded eviction diversion program, and he has focused the court on equity and access to justice." (chescodems.org) 

Wolf assumed office in 2018. He is running for retention as well as for election for judge of the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court. (ballotpedia.com)  

Previously, Judge Wolf "served as a Judge Advocate in the US Army Reserves with service in Afghanistan and Iraq. Now, he serves as a Cavalry Scout soldier in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. He wears the Bronze Star with pride. He recently earned the Norwegian Foot March award, and he is also an Airborne soldier." (campaign page)

When asked, "What is the main reason Pennsylvania voters should pick you?" Wolf answered, "I have years [of] judicial experience, and I currently serve as a judge. My plaintiff's civil rights background informed my role as a judge who focuses on equity and access to justice. I've made many policy changes in the Civil Division of the Philadelphia Municipal Court with an eye toward equity and access to justice." (law.com) 

Judge Wolf "helped contribute to ameliorate the disproportionate impact arising out of our court for evictions during the pandemic by requiring pre-filing mediation[.]" "[T]he Department of Justice [later] praised Philadelphia's diversion program as a model." (also law.com) "Philadelphia, with its pre–filing Diversion Program, is leading the nation in the disbursement of rental assistance and continue[d] to be held out by researchers and the Department of Justice as a national model." (pacourt.us)

Pennsylvania Bar Association rating: Recommended 

Judicial Philosophy 

Wolf said, "The public speaking programs that I participate in and encourage relate to equity and access to justice. My judicial philosophy in this regard is: 'What can we do to address equity and access to justice without tipping the scales in favor of or against a litigant?'” (Personal Data Questionnaire) 

Judge Wolf's campaign page emphasizes "Modernizing the Civil Division" by: 

• "Moving toward National Best Practices" 
• "Since 2021, Judge Wolf has been working with the National Center for State Courts through a grant from the Pew Charitable Trusts. He is the only Judge for Commonwealth Court in this election."
• "Listening to Others" 
• "In making changes to court policy, Judge Wolf listens to both sides of cases as well as all court stakeholders who should have a say in how the court is run."
• "Access to Justice" 
• "Changes made during Judge Wolf's tenure include the revision of the court's website to an appropriate reading comprehension level, with interactivity and explanatory videos. This Commonwealth Court Election is important. Changes can be made for equity and access to justice."
• "Equity" 
• "A reputable study found a disproportionate impact in alleged debt cases on single parents, women of color, and heads of household. Judge Wolf wants to reduce default judgments."
• "Housing" 
• "Judge Wolf is aware of the interplay between debt and housing in Pennsylvania. People with Judgments against them have a hard time finding housing. Without compromising creditors, how can we reduce the negative impact that judgments have on housing? Solutions must be found!"
• "Fairness"
•  "Judge Wolf's work on policy issues that may reduce Judgments and Default Judgments will never affect the rights of creditors. The question is: How can we help people without tipping the scale?"

Litigated Cases (non-comprehensive):

• In re: Contest of November 8, 2011 General Election
  • Oral argument, January of 2012, before the New Jersey Supreme Court. Wolf "was standing up for the New Jersey Constitution's residency requirement which a Federal Judge had long ago enjoined. [The] case set a new precedent and resulted in the election being set aside." 
  • see also: Supreme Court takes oral arguments on Gabriella Mosquera residency case
• Doe vs. Banos, 713 F.Supp. 2d 404, 260 Ed. Law Rep. 704 (D. N.J. 2010);
• Carroll v. Delaware River Port Auth., 89 F. Supp. 3d 628 (D.N.J. 2015); 
• Carroll v. Delaware River Port Authority, 160 F. Supp. 3d 771 (D.N.J. 2015); 
• Gregory v. Metro Auto Sales, Inc., 158 F. Supp.3d 302 (E.D. Pa. 2016); 
• Carroll v. Delaware River Port Auth., 843 F.3d 129 (3d Cir. 2016).

Matthew Wolf completed the Pennsylvania Bar Association's Questionnaire

Spotlight PA article