MWL Judicial Appointments Committee:
Current Screening Criteria Open Judicial Positions

A. The Committee will use the following criteria in deciding whether to find a candidate “qualified”:

1.       Satisfaction of the minimum requirements of the position, such as residency, age and legal training.

2.       Legal and trial experience.

3.       Legal education and training.

4.        Written and oral communication skills.

5.       Analytical ability.

6.        Supervisory experience

7.       Personal characteristics:

                                    a.  Integrity and moral courage.
                                    b.   Patience and courtesy.
                                    c.  Common sense and sound, mature judgment.
                                    d.  Ability to be objective and impartial.
                                    e.   Capacity for work.
                                    f.    Mental and physical health as they would affect the candidate’s ability to
                                              perform the duties of the position.
                                    g.   Good personal demeanor compatible with the dignity and deportment of the
                                              position.
                                    h.   Knowledge and understanding of human nature.
                                    i.      Cooperativeness and ability to work with others.

                        8.    Community, political and charitable activities.

                        9.     Demonstrated commitment to the mission of MWL.

                        10.     Non-legal education, training and work experience.

                        11.     Reputation in the legal community.

                        12.     Adherence to the Code of Professional Responsibility.
 

B. The candidate will have the burden of proving that he/she meets MWL criteria.
 

C. Writing and analytical skills are important qualifications for any judicial candidate.  To allow the MWL Judicial Appointments Committee to assess those abilities, the candidate should submit a written response of 300 words or less to either of the following questions:

1.   Father has sole legal and physical custody of 8 year old child.  Mother moves for a modification of custody, citing, without any factual support, that Father is neglecting child’s religious training. Mother is pro se, father is represented by an attorney.

2.   Mother sends you an ex parte letter prior to the hearing requesting that you appoint a guardian ad litem for the child.  You deny the request, with a copy to Father’s attorney.  Mother begins contacting your staff demanding that you reconsider your denial of her request.  Due to the number and nature of Mother’s contacts with your staff, and the contents of her motion papers, you become concerned about Mother’s mental health.  The hearing on Mother’s motion to modify custody is in three days.

·     Describe in 300 words or less what you would do to ensure the protection of everyone’s interests and rights, including those of your staff. (The focus of this assessment is the candidate’s analytical and writing skills as well as common sense judgment.  Therefore, the candidate SHOULD NOT perform any research to respond and SHOULD NOT include any case citations.  It is suggested that the candidate should not spend more than an hour working on this essay). 

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