Maraleen Shields, Esquire
Executive Director
Maraleen Shields is the Executive Director of the Interbranch Commission, becoming only its second executive director in 2023. She directs the implementation of the recommendations contained in the Pennsylvania Supreme Court Committee’s 2003 study on racial and gender bias in the justice system. Before this role, she was a trial attorney and assistant city solicitor. She was named a “Trailblazer and Trendsetter” by Penn Live in 2024.
In her free time, she is a master’s-level runner, avid reader, Spanish learner, and podcast listener. She serves as member of the WDIY Board of Directors, trustee of Kenyon College, member of the Nominations Committee of the United Way, and in several leadership roles in the Pennsylvania Bar Association. She lives in Allentown, PA, with her husband and two school-aged children and is a graduate of Kenyon College (2000) and the University of Pittsburgh School of Law (magna cum laude, 2003).
Brendan Bertig, Esquire
Staff Attorney
Brendan Bertig is the Staff Attorney for the Interbranch Commission, where he researches legal questions for, tracks legislation related to, and drafts reports on various Commission initiatives. A member of the LGBTQ community, Brendan is dedicated to furthering the Commission’s goal of eliminating bias in the Pennsylvania justice system. Before joining the Commission as a staff member, Brendan interned for several governmental and non-profit organizations in law school.
In his free time, Brendan enjoys hiking, reading, and attending concerts. Brendan lives in Pittsburgh, PA, and is a graduate of Duquesne University (summa cum laude, 2017) and University of Pittsburgh School of Law (cum laude 2020).