Please join the Clallam County Board of County Commissioners in recognizing 43 years of service as our superior court administrator. Take time to congratulate her personally at their board meeting in the BOCC meeting room at 10:00 A.M.
Judicial matters
Judicial Bar Poll Results
Clallam County Bar Association releases local lawyers’ rating of Superior Court judge candidates Brian Coughenour and Dave Neupert
PRESS RELEASE
FROM: Clallam County Bar Association
October 12, 2016
Contact:Lindsey Schromen-Wawrin, President, Clallam County Bar Association
[email protected]
(360) 406-4321
clallamcountybar.org
[Editor’s note: ClallamCountyBar.com is not associated with the Clallam County Bar Association]
When there are two or more candidates for a local judge or prosecutor elected position, the Clallam County Bar Association asks its members (local attorneys in good standing with Clallam County Bar Association) to rate the candidates. This year, there are two candidates for Clallam County Superior Court Judge Position 2, a four-year nonpartisan position.
The Clallam County Bar Association bar poll went out to the 76 lawyers who are members of the local bar. Sixty responded, rating the two candidates with either: 1 (unqualified), 2 (qualified), 3 (well qualified), or 4 (exceptionally well qualified), in four categories. The following are the four categories used in the poll and each candidate’s average rating in that category:
Judgment and objectivity: Demonstrated commitment to equal justice under the law; fairness and open-mindedness; ability to address diverse issues; ability to make difficult decisions under stress; reputation for fairness and freedom from bias against any group or class. In this category, Brian Coughenour receive an average rating of 2.98 and Dave Neupert received an average rating of 2.38.
Demeanor and temperament: Reputation for integrity; good character; courtesy; intellectual honesty; fairness; ability to command respect from the attorneys, litigants and other participants in the court process; demonstrated respect for the law, judicial process and dignity of the court. In this category, Brian Coughenour received an average rating of 2.87 and Dave Neupert received an average rating of 2.47.
Competence, experience and legal ability: The competence, ability and experience in managing pretrial and trial proceedings; excellent legal writing skills; legal analytical skills regarding basic legal knowledge of constitutional, civil and criminal law; personal and professional independence; ability to weigh conflicting testimony; understand dynamics of the trial and conflict resolution process. In this category, Brian Coughenour received an average rating of 3.07 and Dave Neupert received an average rating of 2.37.
Overall performance: Member in good standing of the legal community; energy and capacity for hard work; ability to communicate clearly and effectively; potential for leadership; public service; commitment to improving the administration of justice. In this category, Brian Coughenour received an average rating of 3.05 and Dave Neupert received an average rating of 2.25.
Over all the categories, Brian Coughenour’s average rating was a 2.9 and Dave Neupert’s average rating was a 2.3.
For more information about these two candidates, or the other judges on the upcoming ballot, see votingforjudges.org
JUDICIAL FORUM – CLALLAM COUNTY DISTRICT COURT #1
When: Fri, Jul 18, 2014 at 12:00 PM
Where: Smuggler’s Landing Restaurant
115 E Railroad Ave – 2nd Floor
Port Angeles WA 98362
Judicial Candidates Cathy Marshall and Judge Rick Porter will discuss their positions in the upcoming race and answer questions from Bar participants. The Forum will be moderated by Simon Barnhardt.
Part time Family Court Commissioner position open
The Superior Court announces an opening for a part-time Court Commissioner to work the equivalent of one day per week primarily in the areas of juvenile, truancy and family law. Applications will be accepted until Feb. 28, 2014, and should consist of a cover letter as to why the position is sought and a summary of the applicant’s experience with juvenile and/or family law. A resume should also be included
Applicants must be willing to work on a contractual basis.
Send all applications to Lindy Clevenger, Court Administrator, 223 E Fourth Street Ste 8, Port Angeles, WA 98362.
District Court Commissioner position open
Clallam County Bar Association
The Clallam County District #1 Court will be hiring a part-time (.25 FTE) Court Commissioner to work primarily in the areas of probation and/or civil law. I anticipate that the job will be 8-10 hours per week. Interested applicants should send a cover letter and resume to District Court #1, detailing their relevant work experience by March 7, 2014.
Thank you,
Rick Porter
District Court #1 Judge
Settlement conferences now done by judicial officer
Effective February 3, 2014, a Judicial Officer will be assigned to Monday settlement conferences on a monthly rotational schedule. Judge Erik Rohrer is assigned to February 2014, and Judge George L. Wood is assigned to March 2014. Further assignments to be scheduled.
Please contact me at 417.2386, if I can answer any questions.
Lindy Clevenger
Court Administrator
Clallam County Superior Court
223 E 4th Street Ste 8
Port Angeles, WA 98362
360.417.2386
Swearing in for Judge Melly
The swearing in for Judge Christopher Melly will be today at 3:00, in Courtroom I at the Clallam County Courthouse. A reception will follow in Courtroom III.
2012 Judicial Candidates
Chris Melly, Curtis Johnson, Erik Rohrer and William Payne, have filed for Clallam County Superior Court Position 1, which is being vacated by retiring Judge Ken Williams.
The all mail primary election is August 7, 2012, and ballots will mailed out July 18, 2012, to registered voters. If one candidate achieves more than 50% of the vote, that candidate will win the election and there will be no voting in the general election. Otherwise, the top two vote earners will proceed to the all mail general election on November 6, 2012, and ballots will be mailed on October 17, 2012.
Ballots will be mailed to voters July 18 for the state’s top-two Aug. 7 primary.
Ballots will be mailed to voters Oct. 17 for the Nov. 6 general election.
Judicial Calendar Update
Please note that Commissioner William G. Knebes will be covering all court calendars between April 30, 2012 thru May 2, 2012.
Judicial Candidacy Announcements
Judge Williams has formally announced his retirement, and Judge Wood has announced he will run for re-election this year. Please see the attachments for more information.