Loren Miller Bar Association

Ratings

Current Judicial Evaluation Ratings

The following are the LMBA judicial evaluations for the 2008-2009 year. The LMBA judicial evaluations shall be valid for a period of three years.

LMBA Ratings Criteria

1. SPECIFIC PROCEDURES FOR RATING CANDIDATES IN CONTESTED ELECTIONS AND APPOINTMENTS
    
   1. All ratings shall be based solely upon the merits of a candidate which, if available, may include a candidate’s questionnaire, resume, reference checks, committee member evaluations, and demonstrated sensitivity to the concerns of the Black/minority committee.
       
   2. The Committee shall rate applicants as follows:
      1. Exceptionally Well Qualified
      2. Well Qualified
      3. Qualified
      4. Adequate
      5. Not Qualified
      6. Insufficient Information to Rate
      7. Not Rated
       
   3. Definitions or rating categories:
      1. A candidate may be rated “Exceptionally Well Qualified” if he/she has consistently demonstrated outstanding accomplishment in his/her professional and/or judicial career, singular accomplishments in professional practice and excellence in all of the criteria which support a “Well Qualified” rating;
      2. A candidate may be rated “Well Qualified” if he/she has demonstrated a level of skill, experience, sound judgment and excellence in his/her professional and/or judicial career which will sustain or improve the quality of the judiciary. These qualifications are exemplified by the following:
         1. Demonstrated sensitivity to civil rights issues and issues affecting Black and other minority communities;
         2. Experience in trial and appellate court cases and/or administrative procedures;
         3. The potential for continued professional development and leadership on the bench;
         4. Maturity, integrity and courtesy;
         5. The courage and ability to make difficult decisions under stress;
         6. Intellectual honesty and courage;
         7. Distinction in academic or professional achievements;
         8. Involvement in community affairs and activities;
         9. Fairness, open-mindedness and commitment to equal justice under the law; and
         10. Energy and capacity for hard work.
      3. A candidate may be rated “Qualified” if he/she has demonstrated a majority of the ten (10) characteristics of a “Well Qualified” candidate. No candidate shall be considered “Qualified” if he/she fails to meet the criterion of Subparagraph VIII(C)(2)(a) above.
      4. A candidate shall be rated “Adequate” if he/she satisfied the basic criteria to a degree sufficient to consider him/her minimally qualified for the judicial position sought.
      5. A candidate shall receive a rating of “Not Qualified” if he/she has not demonstrated qualifications sufficient to receive a rating of Adequate.
      6. A candidate shall be placed in a category of “Insufficient Information To Rate” only if the Committee determines that there is insufficient information.
      7. A candidate shall be placed in a category of “Not Rated” if the candidate declines to appear or to submit information necessary for the Committee’s deliberation.

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