Recent News

January 3, 2006

Judicial Screening committee members needed

Can you spare two days to help screen candidates for contested judicial races?

President-elect Belinda Barnes is soliciting letters of interest from Columbus Bar members to serve on the Judicial Screening Committee. This important committee is responsible for screening and rating each candidate as "highly recommended," "acceptable," or "not recommended." In addition, this is a politically balanced committee, so please indicate your party affiliation. Letters or emails to bbarnes@lah4law.com must be submitted by Feb. 15.

There are seven vacancies for full voting positions and three alternate positions on the committee. Members are prohibited from contributing to judicial candidates during their three year term.

The interviews will be conducted the first week in August. The process requires that committee members commit to at least one, and probably two days, based on the number of candidates. There are no excused absences from the committee interviews. Members unable to attend BOTH days of screenings, if two days are required, are replaced by alternates for their full term. The requirements are rigid in order to be fair to all candidates. It is important that the same bank of committee members interviews all the candidates. Members will be notified of the interview dates in late March.

Again, only those who have not made any contribution to any judicial candidate for the 2006 election are eligible to serve. The appointments will be approved by the Columbus Bar board on March 17. Please call Kathy Wiesman at 614/340.2063 if you have any questions.