WLALA Guidelines for Issuance of Endorsement for Judicial Appointments

WLALA’s Objective for Judicial Endorsements:

WLALA’s judicial endorsements committee seeks to endorse applicants for judicial office who have diverse perspectives and backgrounds.  WLALA’s ideal candidates are strong advocates for principles of fairness and equality, who improve the status of women by supporting their exercise of equal rights, equal representation, and reproductive choice.  Since other organizations (i.e., JNE Commission and LACBA), independently vet judicial applicants and rate their technical qualifications to serve as judges, WLALA does not seek to duplicate that process.  Instead, WLALA’s focus is to promote applicants who embody, and are committed to, WLALA’s mission. 

*Please note that WLALA does not endorse candidates for elected office.* 

Initiating WLALA’s Endorsement Process: 

Applicants must initiate the WLALA endorsement process by submitting WLALA’s Application for Judicial Endorsement Supplemental Questionnaire (hereinafter “the Application”).

The Application is available at https://wlala.org/request-for-evaluation-for-judicial-office/. 

The Application must also include a copy of the Judicial Application (including but not limited to a copy of the Personal Data Questionnaire (“PDQ”)).  Any delays in providing the supporting documents needed to evaluate the Application could delay the process.

Timeline for WLALA endorsement

Applicants should submit their request for endorsement at least sixty (60) days prior to the date endorsement is required.  If a WLALA endorsement is needed on a date that is earlier than sixty (60) days after submission of the Application, applicants must so indicate on the Application.  WLALA will do its best to accommodate such requests.

WLALA Applications Submission Process

Please submit a completed online Application via the link above, and email supporting documentation to info@wlala.org.

WLALA’s Evaluation Process for Endorsement:

Upon receipt of the completed Application for endorsement and supporting documentation, the Judicial Endorsement Committee (the “Committee”) will evaluate the qualifications of the applicant.  The factors the Committee may consider for endorsement will include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Professional experience
• A member of the State Bar of California in good standing
• Commitment to WLALA’s Mission Statement
• Bias and temperament
• Professional and personal reputation
• Commitment to anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Prior judicial or quasi-judicial experience
• Civic and community activities and involvement
• Character and integrity
• Leadership positions

The Committee will consult with members of the judiciary, lawyers, and/or others having knowledge of the applicant’s above listed attributes.  The manner in which information may be requested by WLALA in the evaluation process includes, but is not limited to:

1) written questionnaires,

2) email, text, telephonic, virtual, or in-person communications, and

3) personal interviews.  

Initial Review

The Committee will conduct an initial review of the Application materials within two (2) weeks of the initial date of receipt.  The purpose of the initial review is to vet whether the Committee should proceed with the substantive portion of this review process.  If the Committee concludes through the initial review process that the evaluation will not proceed, WLALA will communicate this decision in writing.

Evaluation Process

If WLALA will move forward with the applicant’s evaluation process, one point of contact will contact the applicant within two (2) weeks to schedule an interview.  WLALA intends for the interview to be completed within four (4) weeks from the initial date of Application, depending on the availability of the applicant.

Reference Check

After the interview of the applicant has taken place, and the Committee decides to move forward with the applicant’s endorsement, the Committee will contact references provided in the Application.  The Committee may also contact references within the applicant’s PDQ for additional information.  The Committee retains the right to exercise its discretion on how many references it calls; however, at a minimum, the Committee will complete interviews with at least 2 of the applicant’s references in order to proceed with the Application.  Please provide the most updated contact information for references so as not to cause any delays in the reference check process.  Completion of interviews is subject to reference availability.

After a thorough evaluation of the applicant’s qualifications, the Committee will convene to determine whether the Committee should recommend endorsement of the candidate to the BOG.   

Endorsement Process

If WLALA approves endorsement of the applicant, a copy of the letter of endorsement will be mailed to the address on file, or pdf copy of the letter to the applicant via email.  If WLALA declines endorsement of an applicant, the point of contact will advise the applicant of that fact via email.  

The Committee will make every effort to complete this process within two (2) months / sixty (60) days.  However, in some circumstances, the endorsement process may take longer and the applicant will be timely informed.  The applicant should inform the point of contact of any important changes in their Application, or to discuss any questions the applicant may have regarding his/her/their request for WLALA endorsement.  WLALA would appreciate notice from the applicant regarding their judicial appointment.  

Additional Endorsements:

If a previously endorsed applicant seeks an additional endorsement within 2 years of the initial endorsement, the applicant may seek an additional endorsement without submitting a new application.  The applicant must attest that there have been no material changes to their Application.  The Committee will conduct a new interview of the applicant.  

Confidentiality:

In order to maintain the integrity and confidentiality of the process, to respect the privacy interests of the applicant and the applicant’s references either through the Application, the Judicial Application, or PDQ, and to encourage open communications from sources, all investigations and proceedings will be treated as confidential and may only be disclosed or discussed with other members of the WLALA Board of Governors, WLALA Board of Directors, and WLALA Executive Committee, for the sole purpose of determining whether to endorse an applicant.  All inquiries concerning the proceedings should be referred to the applicant’s point of contact.

Conflict of Interest

No individual who has a potential or actual conflict of interest will be appointed to investigate a potential applicant.