Larry Farnese

JUDGE of the COURT of COMMON PLEAS

Larry FARNESE

**Rated Recommended by the Philadelphia Bar Association

The 8th Ward is proud to endorse our longtime friend & neighbor Larry Farnese for Court of Common Pleas.  Larry will bring decades of valuable experience to the bench — as a litigator, as a legislator, and as a fierce advocate for Philadelphia.  After graduating from Temple Law in the mid-90s, Larry immediately made Philadelphia his home, living over 20 of those years in Center City’s 8th Ward.  Larry’s professional foundation comes from his 14 years as a Philadelphia litigator, trying court cases in areas including personal injury, intellectual property, workers’ compensation, false advertising, insurance bad faith, and medical malpractice, to name a few.  Larry has handled complex civil cases and saw firsthand how court delays and unclear procedures hurt people without the resources to navigate them.  

Next, Larry moved into public service by winning the honor of representing Center City in the Pennsylvania Senate, where he served for 12 years as a champion for progressive and practical reforms that supported working families and safer communities.  As Senator, Larry built coalitions across the City and the Commonwealth to expand economic opportunity, to fight for equal pay and anti-discrimination protections, and to secure resources for public safety initiatives that reduced crime and saved taxpayer dollars long term.  He was tapped to lead the Judiciary Committee as its Democratic Chair, and the Senate Democratic Caucus as its Secretary.  These leadership posts strengthened Larry’s ability to lead and moderate highly charged proceedings with a calm and measured temperament, so all stakeholders could be heard and treated with dignity and respect.  

After ending his time in the Senate in 2020, Larry expanded his legal career through teaching law classes and mentoring students at Villanova University School of Law and Temple University’s Law School.  As a committed volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters, Larry mentored his “Little” (now a young man) for about 7 years.  They remain in touch to the present day.

Larry has been endorsed by a diverse coalition of supporters, including NOW, multiple labor unions, the Philadelphia Democratic Party, Pennsylvania Democratic Chairman Sharif Street, Speaker of the Pennsylvania House Joanna McClinton, and more (see Larry’s website for full list).   

Closer to home, key members of our 8th Ward legislative caucus, including Congressman Dwight Evans, State Senator Nikil Saval, State Reps Ben Waxman and Amen Brown, and 2nd District Council Rep & President Kenyatta Johnson have endorsed Larry for Court of Common Pleas.  Senator Saval, who won their Primary contest in 2020, describes Larry as “a lawmaker of principle and compassion,” with a “leadership style grounded in listening and collaboration, which is exactly what we need from a judge.” (click for Senator Saval’s letter)

The 8th Ward resoundingly agrees: Larry brings a wealth of experience which will make him an excellent judge.  Our Ward Committee has known and supported Larry Farnese for many years as a humble leader and an engaged mentor, with a deep passion for helping people and serving others.  We enthusiastically endorse Larry Farnese for Court of Common Pleas, and we proudly stand behind him.