Judge James M. McMaster: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

Appointed By: Gov. Edward G. Rendell

Biography

The Hon. James M. McMaster is a judge for the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas in Pennsylvania. He was appointed to the bench by former Governor Ed Rendell on October 13, 2010.


Over the course of his judicial career, McMaster has held assignments as the Administrative Judge of the Family Division since 2014.


McMaster earned a bachelor’s degree from Pennsylvania State University in 1974. He then completed a J.D. at Rutgers Law School in 1977.


After graduating from law school, McMaster entered into private practice in Newtown. He spent most of his time as a partner at Smith & McMaster (1983 to 2010), supplementing his practice with service as solicitor for the Bensalem Township School District, special counsel for West Vincent Township, solicitor for Phoenixville Regional Planning Committee, outside counsel for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, outside counsel for the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, and Pennsylvania General Counsel for the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission.


His professional memberships have included the Bucks County Bar Association, the Pennsylvania Bar Association, and the American Bar Association. He is a fellow of the American Bar Foundation and has served as vice-president of the Bucks County American Inn of Courts.


Actively involved in his community, McMaster has been a member of the Lower Southampton Township Planning Commission, the Lower Bucks County Chamber of Commerce, and the Bensalem Chamber of Commerce as well as the Board of Directors of the Delaware Valley Regional Finance Authority. He also sat on the Bensalem Township School Board, the Board of the Bucks County Technical High School, the Bucks County Schools Intermediate Unit Art Education Trust, and the Business Partners Advisory Board for the James Michener Art Museum.


McMaster was raised in Feasterville, Pennsylvania, where he attended Assumption Elementary School and Archbishop Wood High School. He has lived in Bensalem (1979 to 2018) and Buckingham (2018 to present).

Recent Cases by Hon. James M. McMaster

On January 28, 2026 a complaint case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bucks County. Judge James M. McMaster presiding.

Filed

Jan 28, 2026

Status

RODRIGUEZ, EDWIN RIVERA

Judge

Hon. James M. McMaster Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James M. McMaster

Court

Magisterial District

County

Bucks County, PA

Court Category

COMPLAINT

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 29, 2026

On January 23, 2026 a fc- complaint in divorce. case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bucks County. Judge James M. McMaster presiding.

Filed

Jan 23, 2026

Status

KEENOY, JOHN

Judge

Hon. James M. McMaster Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James M. McMaster

Court

Magisterial District

County

Bucks County, PA

Court Category

FC- COMPLAINT IN DIVORCE.

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 24, 2026

On January 20, 2026 an order for judgment entered in favor of bucks county clerk of courts pursuant to 42 pa.c.s. sec. 9728 in the amount of $ case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bucks County. Judge James M. McMaster presiding.

Filed

Jan 20, 2026

Status

PATTERSON, SHANE

Judge

Hon. James M. McMaster Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James M. McMaster

Court

Magisterial District

County

Bucks County, PA

Court Category

ORDER FOR JUDGMENT ENTERED IN FAVOR OF BUCKS COUNTY CLERK OF COURTS PURSUANT TO 42 PA.C.S. SEC. 9728 IN THE AMOUNT OF $

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 21, 2026

On January 20, 2026 an order for judgment entered in favor of bucks county clerk of courts pursuant to 42 pa.c.s. sec. 9728 in the amount of $ case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bucks County. Judge James M. McMaster presiding.

Filed

Jan 20, 2026

Status

SAMHAMMER, CURTIS LYNN JR

Judge

Hon. James M. McMaster Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James M. McMaster

Court

Magisterial District

County

Bucks County, PA

Court Category

ORDER FOR JUDGMENT ENTERED IN FAVOR OF BUCKS COUNTY CLERK OF COURTS PURSUANT TO 42 PA.C.S. SEC. 9728 IN THE AMOUNT OF $

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 21, 2026

On January 16, 2026 a fc- petition for custody of minor child. case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bucks County. Judge James M. McMaster presiding.

Filed

Jan 16, 2026

Status

RODRIGUEZ ABREGO, CARLOS ENRIQUE

Judge

Hon. James M. McMaster Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James M. McMaster

Court

Magisterial District

County

Bucks County, PA

Court Category

FC- PETITION FOR CUSTODY OF MINOR CHILD.

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Custody,Visitation

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 17, 2026

On January 15, 2026 a complaint case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bucks County. Judge James M. McMaster presiding.

Filed

Jan 15, 2026

Status

SERATCH, SHANNON

Judge

Hon. James M. McMaster Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James M. McMaster

Court

Magisterial District

County

Bucks County, PA

Court Category

COMPLAINT

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 16, 2026

On January 13, 2026 an order for judgment entered in favor of bucks county clerk of courts pursuant to 42 pa.c.s. sec. 9728 in the amount of $ case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bucks County. Judge James M. McMaster presiding.

Filed

Jan 13, 2026

Status

BONAFIGLIA, DONNA

Judge

Hon. James M. McMaster Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James M. McMaster

Court

Magisterial District

County

Bucks County, PA

Court Category

ORDER FOR JUDGMENT ENTERED IN FAVOR OF BUCKS COUNTY CLERK OF COURTS PURSUANT TO 42 PA.C.S. SEC. 9728 IN THE AMOUNT OF $

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 14, 2026

On January 12, 2026 a complaint case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bucks County. Judge James M. McMaster presiding.

Filed

Jan 12, 2026

Status

JONES, BETTY J

Judge

Hon. James M. McMaster Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James M. McMaster

Court

Magisterial District

County

Bucks County, PA

Court Category

COMPLAINT

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 13, 2026

On January 9, 2026 a complaint case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bucks County. Judge James M. McMaster presiding.

Filed

Jan 09, 2026

Status

INTERLAND ASSOCIATES INC

Judge

Hon. James M. McMaster Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James M. McMaster

Court

Magisterial District

County

Bucks County, PA

Court Category

COMPLAINT

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 10, 2026

On January 9, 2026 an order for judgment entered in favor of bucks county clerk of courts pursuant to 42 pa.c.s. sec. 9728 in the amount of $ case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bucks County. Judge James M. McMaster presiding.

Filed

Jan 09, 2026

Status

AUSTIN-EARVIN, THOMAS LEE

Judge

Hon. James M. McMaster Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James M. McMaster

Court

Magisterial District

County

Bucks County, PA

Court Category

ORDER FOR JUDGMENT ENTERED IN FAVOR OF BUCKS COUNTY CLERK OF COURTS PURSUANT TO 42 PA.C.S. SEC. 9728 IN THE AMOUNT OF $

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 10, 2026

On January 8, 2026 a complaint case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bucks County. Judge James M. McMaster presiding.

Filed

Jan 08, 2026

Status

ORMOND, LANA M

Judge

Hon. James M. McMaster Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James M. McMaster

Court

Magisterial District

County

Bucks County, PA

Court Category

COMPLAINT

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 23, 2026

On January 8, 2026 an order for judgment entered in favor of bucks county clerk of courts pursuant to 42 pa.c.s. sec. 9728 in the amount of $ case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bucks County. Judge James M. McMaster presiding.

Filed

Jan 08, 2026

Status

BASS, RODNEY

Judge

Hon. James M. McMaster Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James M. McMaster

Court

Magisterial District

County

Bucks County, PA

Court Category

ORDER FOR JUDGMENT ENTERED IN FAVOR OF BUCKS COUNTY CLERK OF COURTS PURSUANT TO 42 PA.C.S. SEC. 9728 IN THE AMOUNT OF $

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 09, 2026

On January 7, 2026 a complaint case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bucks County. Judge James M. McMaster presiding.

Filed

Jan 07, 2026

Status

VALLANGO, SAMUEL J

Judge

Hon. James M. McMaster Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James M. McMaster

Court

Magisterial District

County

Bucks County, PA

Court Category

COMPLAINT

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 08, 2026

On December 30, 2025 a complaint case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bucks County. Judge James M. McMaster presiding.

Filed

Dec 30, 2025

Status

RPS PARTNERSHIP LP

Judge

Hon. James M. McMaster Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James M. McMaster

Court

Magisterial District

County

Bucks County, PA

Court Category

COMPLAINT

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 31, 2025

On December 29, 2025 a notice of appeal from district justice of the peace filed. assumpsit action. case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bucks County. Judge James M. McMaster presiding.

Filed

Dec 29, 2025

Status

KAHN, MARC

Judge

Hon. James M. McMaster Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James M. McMaster

Court

Magisterial District

County

Bucks County, PA

Court Category

NOTICE OF APPEAL FROM DISTRICT JUSTICE OF THE PEACE FILED. ASSUMPSIT ACTION.

Practice Area

Appeals

Matter Type

General Appeals

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 07, 2026

On December 29, 2025 a complaint case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bucks County. Judge James M. McMaster presiding.

Filed

Dec 29, 2025

Status

VICTOR, CONNER R

Judge

Hon. James M. McMaster Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James M. McMaster

Court

Magisterial District

County

Bucks County, PA

Court Category

COMPLAINT

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 10, 2026

On December 26, 2025 a certification of judgment from district justice of the peace. assumpsit eo die judgment entered in the sum of $ case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bucks County. Judge James M. McMaster presiding.

Filed

Dec 26, 2025

Status

HOLOWCHAK, TRACY

Judge

Hon. James M. McMaster Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James M. McMaster

Court

Magisterial District

County

Bucks County, PA

Court Category

CERTIFICATION OF JUDGMENT FROM DISTRICT JUSTICE OF THE PEACE. ASSUMPSIT EO DIE JUDGMENT ENTERED IN THE SUM OF $

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

Liens

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 01, 2026

On December 23, 2025 a complaint case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bucks County. Judge James M. McMaster presiding.

Filed

Dec 23, 2025

Status

WADE, RICHARD L

Judge

Hon. James M. McMaster Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James M. McMaster

Court

Magisterial District

County

Bucks County, PA

Court Category

COMPLAINT

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 14, 2026

On December 23, 2025 a complaint case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bucks County. Judge James M. McMaster presiding.

Filed

Dec 23, 2025

Status

WADE, RICHARD L

Judge

Hon. James M. McMaster Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James M. McMaster

Court

Magisterial District

County

Bucks County, PA

Court Category

COMPLAINT

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 07, 2026

On December 23, 2025 an order for judgment entered in favor of bucks county clerk of courts pursuant to 42 pa.c.s. sec. 9728 in the amount of $ case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bucks County. Judge James M. McMaster presiding.

Filed

Dec 23, 2025

Status

MITCHELL, KYLE EDWARD

Judge

Hon. James M. McMaster Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James M. McMaster

Court

Magisterial District

County

Bucks County, PA

Court Category

ORDER FOR JUDGMENT ENTERED IN FAVOR OF BUCKS COUNTY CLERK OF COURTS PURSUANT TO 42 PA.C.S. SEC. 9728 IN THE AMOUNT OF $

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 24, 2025

On December 23, 2025 an order for judgment entered in favor of bucks county clerk of courts pursuant to 42 pa.c.s. sec. 9728 in the amount of $ case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bucks County. Judge James M. McMaster presiding.

Filed

Dec 23, 2025

Status

NICHOLAS, DRISCOLL

Judge

Hon. James M. McMaster Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James M. McMaster

Court

Magisterial District

County

Bucks County, PA

Court Category

ORDER FOR JUDGMENT ENTERED IN FAVOR OF BUCKS COUNTY CLERK OF COURTS PURSUANT TO 42 PA.C.S. SEC. 9728 IN THE AMOUNT OF $

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 24, 2025

On December 22, 2025 a complaint case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bucks County. Judge James M. McMaster presiding.

Filed

Dec 22, 2025

Status

STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY

Judge

Hon. James M. McMaster Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James M. McMaster

Court

Magisterial District

County

Bucks County, PA

Court Category

COMPLAINT

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 23, 2025

On December 22, 2025 a writ of scire facias sur lien case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bucks County. Judge James M. McMaster presiding.

Filed

Dec 22, 2025

Status

BLAYLOCK, DEAN

Judge

Hon. James M. McMaster Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James M. McMaster

Court

Magisterial District

County

Bucks County, PA

Court Category

WRIT OF SCIRE FACIAS SUR LIEN

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

Liens

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 14, 2026

On December 22, 2025 a fc- petition for custody of minor child. case was filed in the jurisdiction of Bucks County. Judge James M. McMaster presiding.

Filed

Dec 22, 2025

Status

HAMILTON, THOMAS JAMES

Judge

Hon. James M. McMaster Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James M. McMaster

Court

Magisterial District

County

Bucks County, PA

Court Category

FC- PETITION FOR CUSTODY OF MINOR CHILD.

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Custody,Visitation

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 21, 2026