The Philadelphia Bar Association gave its highest recommendation to an out attorney running for a seat on the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas.
The association’s Commission on Judicial Selection deemed Chris Mallios “highly recommended” for the bench. The body will be releasing judicial recommendations in the coming weeks but are only expected to give the top recommendation to a small number of the more-than 50 local judicial candidates.
According to the commission, candidates who are “highly recommended” are “extraordinary individuals” who are “preeminent in the profession, exceptionally skilled in the law, possess a reputation for the utmost integrity and significantly will enhance or have enhanced the quality of the judiciary.” Candidates can be “not recommended,” “recommended” or “highly recommended.”
Mallios is the former chief of the Family Violence and Sexual Assault Unit in the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office. The Philadelphia native earned his law degree from Temple University. The veteran trial attorney has traveled the nation to train law enforcement and criminal-justice professionals on proper handling of cases involving rape, domestic violence, elder abuse and other offenses. He recently was hired to oversee investigations regarding sexual violence and stalking allegations at University of Pennsylvania.
Mallios, who ran for the bench in 2011 and withdrew from the race in 2013, welcomed the PBA’s backing.
“I am humbled and honored that my peers in the bar association have recommended me to the voters of Philadelphia as a highly qualified candidate with a reputation for integrity,” Mallios said. “I am also grateful to the bar association’s investigators who volunteered their time to look deeply into the qualifications of all judicial candidates. This is a tremendous service for voters.”