Background
Cappy, Ralph Joseph was born on August 25, 1943 in Pittsburgh. Son of Joseph R. and Catherine (Miljus) Cappy.
lawyer state supreme court justice
Cappy, Ralph Joseph was born on August 25, 1943 in Pittsburgh. Son of Joseph R. and Catherine (Miljus) Cappy.
Bachelor of Science in Psychology, University Pittsburgh, 1965. Juris Doctor, University Pittsburgh, 1968. Doctor of Laws (honorary), Widener University.
Law clerk to president judge Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, 1968—1970. Attorney civil & family court litigation private practice, 1968—1978. Trial defender, first assistant homicide attorney, deputy director Allegheny County, 1970—1975, public defender, 1975—1978.
Judge Family and Juvenile Court Court of Common Pleas, Allegheny County, 1978—1989, judge criminal division, 1979—1985, judge civil division, 1985—1986, presiding administration judge civil division, 1986—1990. Justice Pennsylvania Supreme Court, 1989—2008, chief justice, 2003—2008. Partner, member litigation section Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney LLP, Pittsburgh, 2008—2009.
Lecturer constitutional law University Pittsburgh, 1970-1972. Instructor criminal law and trial tactics City of Pittsburgh Police Academy, Allegheny County Police Academy, 1970-1974. Liaison justice to Supreme Court Appellate Procedural Rules Committee, 1990-1994, Minor Judiciary of Pennsylvania, 1990-1994, Pennsylvania Board of Law Examiners, 1990-1994, First Judicial District, 1990-1994, Supreme Court Civil, Domestic Relations & Orphans' Court Procedural Rules Committee, 1994-1996, Pennsylvania Board of Law Examiners, 1994-1996, Civil Procedural Rules Committee, Pennsylvania Board of Law Examiners, Pennsylvania Continuing Legal Education Board, 1996-2009.
Member Pittsburgh Health and Welfare Planning Agency, 1984-2009. Member judicial ethics committee Pennsylvania Law Journal, 1980-1982. Trustee University Pittsburgh, 1992-2009, board visitors, 1992-2009.
Fellow American Bar Foundation. Member American Bar Association, Pennsylvania Bar Association (Judicial award 1997), Allegheny Bar Association, Pennsylvania Conference State Trial Judges (legislation and planning committee 1978-1983, legislation committee, zone representative 1984-2009, chairman education committee 1985-1988), Pennsylvania College Judiciary (lecturer, treasurer, secretary), NACCP (life), Pittsburgh Athletic Association.
Married Janet Fry, April 19, 1985. 1 child, Erik.