Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association Issues Ratings for Judicial Candidates

TACOMA (July 31, 2014) - The Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association (TPCBA) has announced its ratings for judicial candidates seeking election to the position of Pierce County District Court, Position 8, for the August primary elections.  All candidates receive one of five ratings: Exceptionally Well Qualified, Well Qualified, Qualified, Not Qualified, or Not Rated.

The TPCBA rates judicial candidates as a service to voters, as there is little information about candidates available publicly. Each candidate's rating is determined by the TPCBA's Judicial Qualifications Committee (JQC), an independent standing committee of the TPCBA, after a thorough evaluation process, including an interview with the candidate. The JQC does not compare opposing candidates in a particular contested race, or endorse or oppose the election of specific candidates, but evaluates each candidate on his or her own individual merit.

 The 2014 ratings are as follows:

Sandy Allen             Exceptionally Well Qualified

Jeanette Lineberry    Exceptionally Well Qualified

Karl Williams            Exceptionally Well Qualified  (Evaluated in 2013)

The JQC evaluates candidates on their qualifications to serve as judicial officers based on the following factors: judicial temperament, intellect and ability, knowledge of the law, trial experience, professional reputation, industry and work habits, decisiveness, fairness and objectivity, courtesy and patience, judgment and common sense, compassion and understanding, integrity and honesty, administrative ability, physical and mental health, courage, writing and research skills, and any other factor that might affect the candidate's ability to serve as a judge.

The JQC is comprised of 20 members who represent a cross-section of Pierce County's legal community by gender and ethnicity, including lawyers from the public and private sectors, civil and criminal law practitioners, sole practitioners and members of small, medium and large firms.  JQC members are appointed by the TPCBA President and serve a one year term. In determining ratings, the JQC follows a detailed and confidential evaluation process, in accordance with the committee's longstanding and preset rules, and actively seeks information on each candidate from a wide variety of sources.  This includes soliciting information from members of the legal community and gathering information directly from each candidate.

The TPCBA is a voluntary bar association comprised of over 1300 lawyers and members of the judiciary.