Published: Thursday, July 24, 2008
Candidate for Snohomish County Superior Court judge gets nod from Washington Women Lawyers
EVERETT -- Only one of three Snohomish County Superior Court judicial candidates received good ratings in evaluations done by the Washington Women Lawyers.
There are two contested races planned for next month's ballot. Superior Court Judge Eric Lucas is vying to keep his place on the bench against former judge David Hulbert. Lucas unseated Hulbert in 2004.
Two private attorneys, Jim Johanson and Joe Wilson, are running against Snohomish County deputy prosecutor George Appel for the seat now held by Judge Richard Thorpe, who is retiring.
Among the contested races, only Lucas, Johanson and Appel asked to be evaluated by the professional organization. The ratings range from "exceptionally well qualified" to "not rated."
The evaluation committee gave Appel a "well qualified" rating, while Lucas and Johanson were rated as "unqualified."
As part of the evaluations, candidates fill out a questionnaire and are interviewed by the panel.
The committee also does 10 confidential reference checks. Each candidate is rated according to set criteria and not against each other.
The committee was made up of attorneys practicing criminal and civil law. They haven't contributed to a judicial campaign or endorsed a candidate, according to the group.
For more than two decades, Washington Women Lawyers has provided judicial evaluations for state and federal candidates. For more information about the organization's rating process or criteria, visit www.wwl.org.
Reporter Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463 or hefley@heraldnet.com.
There are two contested races planned for next month's ballot. Superior Court Judge Eric Lucas is vying to keep his place on the bench against former judge David Hulbert. Lucas unseated Hulbert in 2004.
Two private attorneys, Jim Johanson and Joe Wilson, are running against Snohomish County deputy prosecutor George Appel for the seat now held by Judge Richard Thorpe, who is retiring.
Among the contested races, only Lucas, Johanson and Appel asked to be evaluated by the professional organization. The ratings range from "exceptionally well qualified" to "not rated."
The evaluation committee gave Appel a "well qualified" rating, while Lucas and Johanson were rated as "unqualified."
As part of the evaluations, candidates fill out a questionnaire and are interviewed by the panel.
The committee also does 10 confidential reference checks. Each candidate is rated according to set criteria and not against each other.
The committee was made up of attorneys practicing criminal and civil law. They haven't contributed to a judicial campaign or endorsed a candidate, according to the group.
For more than two decades, Washington Women Lawyers has provided judicial evaluations for state and federal candidates. For more information about the organization's rating process or criteria, visit www.wwl.org.
Reporter Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463 or hefley@heraldnet.com.
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