New judges look forward to serving county
The arrangement of Butler County Common Pleas Court judges will have a few changes in 2026 when two newly elected judges begin their 10-year terms in office.
The court is expanding from six to seven judges starting in 2026 as a result of Act 58 of 2023, which added a total of 11 new judges in 10 of Pennsylvania’s 60 judicial districts, including one in Butler County’s 50th Judicial District. A second judge is being added due to the retirement of Judge Timothy McCune.
The new judges, Matthew McCune and John Scialabba, will be sworn in Friday, Jan. 2.
Matthew McCune, Judge Timothy McCune’s son who was elected in November, is joining Judge William Robinson as the judges in the family division.
The family court division handles cases involving involuntary and voluntary terminations, adoptions, abuse and support cases, divorce and custody cases, and juvenile delinquency and dependency.
“It’s right around the corner. I’ve been waiting for this for several months now,” Matthew McCune said.
He said he’s winding up his work at his current practice, the Conlon Tarker law firm in Butler, and looking forward to his new role in the court system.
Though most of his work in private practice was in civil matters, he said he has had some Family Court cases.
“I welcome it, and I’m excited for it,” McCune said. “The public puts a lot of trust in us, which is something I’m very grateful for.”
He said many family members will attend the swearing-in ceremony to see the “starting of one career and ending of another. Kind of a last hurrah for dad.”
Scialabba, an attorney and a partner at Frank, Gale, Bails & Pocrass, P.C., where he manages the firm’s Butler office, was given a combined court division that includes juvenile delinquency and dependency, civil, criminal and all specialty courts. Specialty courts include Veterans Treatment Court, Behavioral Health Treatment Court and Drug Treatment Court.
“I am deeply honored and excited by this opportunity and grateful for the trust Butler County has placed in me. I’m looking forward to my judicial service with a strong commitment to fairness, integrity and rule of law,’ Scialabba said.
He said his experience as a teaching fellow in New York City’s Jamaica neighborhood will be helpful in his juvenile cases and he also is looking forward to taking over the specialty courts.
Judge Joseph Kubit will remain in the criminal division and will be joined by Judge Maura Palumbi. Kubit was elected in 2021. His term expires in 2032. Palumbi, who works in the family division, was elected in 2023. Her term ends in 2034.
President Judge S. Michael Yeager and Judge Kelley Streib will remain in the civil division. Yeager was first elected in 2001. His term expires in 2032. Streib was elected in 2008. Her term ends in 2028.
Judge William Shaffer, who retired in January 2022 and serves as a senior judge, handles civil and criminal matters. Judge Timothy McCune also will serve as a senior judge.
Common Pleas Court judges are state employees and their annual salary in 2025 is $227,411. The 2026 salaries have not been set, but annual cost of living adjustments are given and salaries are expected to increase slightly next year.
