Clallam County Bar

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