Clallam County Court Commissioner position is being vacated by W. Brent Basden who was appointed by Gov. Inslee to be a Superior Court judge. Applications for the position are being taken now and must be submitted no later than 4:30 PM on December 12, 2018. Application information is below.
Elections
Commissioner Brent Basden appointed Superior Court Judge
W. Brent Basden has been appointed to the Clallam County Superior Court by Gov. Jay Inslee, effective January 1, 2019. Commission Basden has served tirelessly as Clallam County Superior Court Commissioner (Family Court Commissioner) since 2008. Prior to that he operated a private law practice primarily in the areas of family criminal and civil law matters.
Commissioner Basden is a graduate of Port Angeles high school, and obtained his law degree from Brigham Young University. He has taught continuing legal education courses, was involved with the Clallam County pro bono lawyers, has coached youth baseball, and is actively involved in his church.
“Brent has extensive legal experience, the respect of the lawyers who appear before him and deep roots in Clallam County. He will make an outstanding addition to the bench,” said Gov. Inslee.
https://www.governor.wa.gov/news-media/inslee-names-w-brent-basden-clallam-county-superior-court
Judge Rohrer resigns from Superior Court, position open
Judge Erik Rohrer announced his resignation from his elected position as Clallam County Superior Court Judge after winning the first vote count in the Clallam County District Court II election. Judge Rohrer defeated John Black in the election for District Court II, however there is a recount pending. Judge Rohrer’s resignation will be effective January 14, 2019.
Governor Jay Inslee will be appointing someone to fill Judge Rohrer’s position. Those interested may apply no later than December 14, 2018 at:
https://www.governor.wa.gov/office-governor/official-actions/judicial-appointments
Details about the Notice of Vacancy and information about applying are in this Notice of Vacancy November 2018.
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.
Prosecutor Candidate Forum 2014
A candidate Forum for the position of Clallam County Prosecuting Attorney will feature Mark Nichols and Will Payne at the June 20, 2014, CCBA bar lunch. Each candidate will give introductory and closing remarks and will respond to questions from the audience. Please RSVP either to the evite you should have received, or to me at [email protected], so we will have an accurate head count.
The event is at noon, at Smuggler’s Landing on the second floor of the Landing Mall. I suggest you arrive a bit early to make your lunch order and secure a seat.
Thank you, and I look forward to seeing you on Friday.
Best regards,
Simon Barnhart
PLATT IRWIN LAW FIRM
403 South Peabody
Port Angeles, WA 98362
Phone: (360) 457-3327
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 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.
Simon Barnhart is 2012 CCBA President
Simon Barnhart, an attorney with the Platt Irwin firm, has been elected as the Clallam County Bar Association President for 2012. Congratulations Simon!
Chris Koenig is the president for 2011.
Voteforjudges.org
The “Voting for Judges” website (http://www.votingforjudges.org) is a valuable nonpartisan source of judicial-evaluation information for candidates running for judicial office. Now in its fifth year, the site includes information about candidates for all levels of courts throughout the state.
The WSBA is a co-sponsor of this site.