Hon. Penny L. Blackwell (Ret.) was a judge for the York County Court of Common Pleas in Pennsylvania. She was elected to the bench in 1991. Blackwell retired in January 2014.
During her judicial tenure, she presided in the Orphans’ Court as well as the Family Court and Criminal Court. Blackwell also ruled on adult criminal cases, juvenile cases, divorces, custody, civil disputes, and in the treatment courts, including the Drug Treatment Court.
She received a B.S. in business administration from Portland State University in 1971. Blackwell went on to complete a J.D. at American University School of Law in 1974.
After relocating to York in 1980, she became a partner at Wolfson & Blackwell, where she remained until her election to the Court of Common Pleas. During her time in private practice, Blackwell handled general civil and criminal litigation with an emphasis on family and juvenile law. In addition, she acted as a hearing officer for the county juvenile court.
Her memberships included the Pennsylvania Bar Association, the York County Bar Association, and the National Association of Women Judges.
Blackwell was born in Coco Solo, a United States Navy base in the Panama Canal Zone, where her father held an assignment with the U.S. Air Force. She was later placed in an orphanage and was subsequently adopted.