JUDICIARY & ENDORSEMENTS COMMITTEE

The goal of the APABA Silicon Valley Judiciary & Endorsements Committee (“Committee”) is to endorse and assist applicants for judicial positions to ensure the promotion of the most qualified and diverse individuals to the bench. APABA Silicon Valley endorses candidates for judicial appointments who in addition to demonstrating attributes of an excellent jurist are responsive to the needs and concerns of the Asian American community and have demonstrated commitment to diversity.

A. REQUESTING ENDORSEMENT

Judicial candidates seeking APABA Silicon Valley endorsement (the “Candidate”) should send an email to the Committee at judiciary@apabasv.com formally requesting endorsement, with the following information:

1. the title of the judicial position being sought, a date by which the endorsement for the appointment must be received in order to be considered, and the name, title, and address of the person to whom the endorsement letter should be sent;

2. the reasons why you believe you should receive an endorsement from APABA Silicon Valley;

3. a copy of the completed judicial application, such as a Personal Data Questionnaire;

4. two (2) writing samples; and

5. five (5) references, including at least one current or former APABA Silicon Valley member and one opposing counsel.

A formal consideration of a request for endorsement will not begin until all of the materials listed above have been submitted to the Committee.

Candidates should make sure that all the materials are received by the Committee at least three months prior to the date endorsement is required. Any requests for endorsement received less than three months prior to the date required may not be considered by APABA Silicon Valley due to time constraints.

*Confidentiality: The names and application materials of all candidates seeking judicial endorsements shall be kept confidential by the Committee and the Board.  APABA Silicon Valley will not disclose any information or materials related to any endorsement review to anyone who is not an APABA Silicon Valley Board member or Committee member.

B. EVALUATION PROCESS

The Committee will serve as the contact for each request for endorsement.  In evaluating the Candidate for endorsement, the Committee will consider a number of factors, including:

• The background and professional experience of the Candidate, and how this experience will prepare the Candidate for the position they are seeking;

• The demeanor and temperament of the Candidate;

• The Candidate’s integrity and commitment to the rule of law;

• The Candidate’s commitment to public service and equal administration of justice;

• Prior judicial or quasi-judicial experience, if any;

• The work ethics of the Candidate;

• The professional competence of the Candidate; and

• The community involvement of the Candidate.

Upon receipt of the Candidate’s complete materials, the Committee will evaluate, including gathering information from the references provided by the Candidate, and schedule a time for an in-person interview with the Candidate. The Committee shall have the discretion to request additional information from the Candidate designed to solicit information relevant to the evaluation of the Candidate.

Following the interview process, the Committee will provide a formal recommendation to the Board. The Committee will inform the Candidate once the Board makes a final decision as to whether APABA Silicon Valley should endorse or decline to endorse the Candidate.

Upon approval by the Board to endorse a Candidate, APABA Silicon Valley will prepare a letter of endorsement for the Candidate.  In addition, APABA Silicon Valley may, at its discretion, advocate for an endorsed Candidate when appropriate. If the Board declines endorsement of a candidate, the Committee chair will advise the candidate of that fact.

CO-CHAIRS

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