A majority of Berks County Bar Association members polled support retaining two Berks County judges in the Nov. 7 general election, according to the results of the association’s recent plebiscite.
President Judge M. Theresa Johnson and Judge Madelyn S. Fudeman are standing for retention for 10-year terms on the bench. The bar association sent ballots via e-mail to 490 members, and 217 ballots were returned in the retention plebiscite.
Members were asked whether the judges should be retained or not retained. The results were: President Judge M. Theresa Johnson: Retained:
210 votes – or 96.7% of ballots returned. Not Retained: 7 votes – or 3.23% of ballots returned.
Judge Madelyn S. Fudeman: Retained: 183 votes – or 84.3% of ballots returned. Not Retained: 34 votes – or 15.67% of ballots returned
The Berks County Bar Association, as an organization, does not endorse any candidates. The results of the plebiscite reflect the views of individual members.
The bar association bylaws call for polling active members in a plebiscite when there is a vacancy on the bench or when judges seek retention.
Johnson was elected to the Berks County Court of Common Pleas on November 5, 2013. She is currently the President Judge, having been elected by her fellow judges in 2022. Johnson has presided in all divisions of the Court. In addition to her administrative duties, she handles a criminal case docket. Prior to taking the bench, Johnson was the First Assistant District Attorney of Berks County. In addition, during her career, she worked as an associate for the law firm of Linton Distasio & Adams and the firm of Kozloff Stoudt.
Fudeman was elected to the Berks County Court of Common Pleas on November 5, 2013. She has presided in all divisions of the court and now serves primarily in the civil, orphans, and criminal divisions. Prior to taking the bench, Fudeman was an Assistant State Attorney in Dade County, Fla. She practiced law in Berks County for over 20 years as shareholder in the law firm of Essig, Valeriano & Fudeman, P.C. in Wyomissing where her practice encompassed real estate, zoning and land use, corporations, commercial transactions, and litigation.
