Judicial Endorsement Requests
FAQ:
1. How do I obtain LACUB’s endorsement of my application for judicial office?
The first step is to submit an APPLICATION FOR LOS ANGELES COUNTY UNITY BAR ENDORSEMENT FOR JUDICIAL OFFICE to a Member organization. Each Member organization retains sole discretion whether it will nominate any applicant for LACUB endorsement.
2. Must I be a member of a LACUB Member organization to receive LACUB’s endorsement?
No. LACUB Members are permitted to nominate non-members, subject to their own internal judicial evaluation policies and procedures.
3. What if I am not a member of any LACUB Member organization?
Whether or not you are a member of one or more Member organizations, you may submit an application to any Member. You will be subject to that Member’s own internal judicial endorsement policies and procedures. Alternatively, you may contact LACUB directly at [email protected].
4. Are any documents required in addition to the Application for LACUB Endorsement?
Yes. Each Member follows its own internal judicial evaluation procedures when evaluating an Application for LACUB Endorsement. See each Member’s evaluation procedures for their particular requirements.
5. What materials do LACUB Members consider in evaluating nominees for endorsement?
In the case of a trial court Candidate, a long-form resume which includes education, a detailed description of legal experience with examples of any important accomplishments, community activities, law-related and/or other leadership, any activities aligned with LACUB’s mission, and anything else that the Candidate would like to be considered (i.e., a PDQ).
In the case of a United States District Court, or state or federal appellate position, at their option the applicant may submit a long-form resume as described above or their PDQ (or equivalent official questionnaire).
Any PDQ may be redacted in the applicant’s discretion to protect sensitive, personal or highly confidential information.
A nominee may but is not required to submit any additional materials for consideration, such as any prior endorsements, letters of support or other materials submitted to the Governor’s Office.
6. What else do LACUB Member organizations consider when evaluating applications for LACUB endorsement or nominations for endorsement?
Each LACUB Member has its own internal evaluation procedures and criteria it takes into consideration. In addition, all LACUB Members consider the applicant's judicial demeanor, past and relevant legal experience, and professional reputation.
7. Is a LACUB Member organization required to nominate each person who applies for LACUB endorsement?
No. LACUB Members retain sole discretion over which individuals they will nominate for LACUB endorsement.
8. If a Member does not nominate an applicant, may the applicant apply for nomination to another Member?
Yes.
9. Does LACUB have its own judicial evaluation procedures?
No. LACUB has internal procedures governing the nomination and endorsement process, but each Member follows its own internal judicial evaluation procedures in evaluating and nominating individuals for LACUB endorsement, and in evaluating individuals nominated by other Members.
10. Do all LACUB Members have to vote in favor of an individual’s application in order to receive LACUB’s endorsement?
No. A majority of voting Members is required for LACUB endorsement.
11. Is there any deadline to apply for LACUB endorsement?
No. Applications are accepted and LACUB endorsements are issued on a rolling basis.
12. How long does it take for a Member to evaluate an application for LACUB endorsement and decide whether to nominate the applicant?
Each Member follows its own internal judicial evaluation procedures in evaluating applications for LACUB endorsement. The timelines vary from Member to Member.
13. Is the applicant required to submit to an interview?
Each Member follows its own internal judicial evaluation procedures in evaluating applications for LACUB endorsement, which may include an interview. If nominated for LACUB endorsement, the applicant may be asked to submit to a brief interview.
14. Once an applicant is nominated for LACUB endorsement, how long does it take for LACUB to issue a decision?
Typically one month, subject to reasonable extensions at the election of the Nominating Member.
15. If I apply to a LACUB Member organization for nomination for LACUB endorsement, am I guaranteed an endorsement?
No.
16. If LACUB endorses me for judicial office, am I guaranteed an appointment?
No.
17. Will LACUB endorse more than one nominee for any judicial office?
LACUB retains discretion to endorse more than one nominee for any judicial office.
18. Has LACUB endorsed applicants for judicial office?
Yes. LACUB submitted its first endorsements on July 19, 2024, and continues to evaluate nominations as they are received. To date, LACUB has endorsed individuals for Los Angeles Superior Court, Second District Court of Appeal and the United States District Court for the Central District of California. Endorsed individuals include members and non-members of Member organizations. LACUB has also issued letters of support to the Commission on Judicial Appointments in support of nominees for appointment to the Second District Court of Appeal, and to the United States Senate Judiciary Committee in support of nominees for appointment to the USDC Central District.
19. Does LACUB endorse candidates in judicial elections?
Generally, no. In limited circumstances LACUB may endorse or otherwise support candidates for elected office who were previously endorsed by LACUB for appointment.
1. How do I obtain LACUB’s endorsement of my application for judicial office?
The first step is to submit an APPLICATION FOR LOS ANGELES COUNTY UNITY BAR ENDORSEMENT FOR JUDICIAL OFFICE to a Member organization. Each Member organization retains sole discretion whether it will nominate any applicant for LACUB endorsement.
2. Must I be a member of a LACUB Member organization to receive LACUB’s endorsement?
No. LACUB Members are permitted to nominate non-members, subject to their own internal judicial evaluation policies and procedures.
3. What if I am not a member of any LACUB Member organization?
Whether or not you are a member of one or more Member organizations, you may submit an application to any Member. You will be subject to that Member’s own internal judicial endorsement policies and procedures. Alternatively, you may contact LACUB directly at [email protected].
4. Are any documents required in addition to the Application for LACUB Endorsement?
Yes. Each Member follows its own internal judicial evaluation procedures when evaluating an Application for LACUB Endorsement. See each Member’s evaluation procedures for their particular requirements.
5. What materials do LACUB Members consider in evaluating nominees for endorsement?
In the case of a trial court Candidate, a long-form resume which includes education, a detailed description of legal experience with examples of any important accomplishments, community activities, law-related and/or other leadership, any activities aligned with LACUB’s mission, and anything else that the Candidate would like to be considered (i.e., a PDQ).
In the case of a United States District Court, or state or federal appellate position, at their option the applicant may submit a long-form resume as described above or their PDQ (or equivalent official questionnaire).
Any PDQ may be redacted in the applicant’s discretion to protect sensitive, personal or highly confidential information.
A nominee may but is not required to submit any additional materials for consideration, such as any prior endorsements, letters of support or other materials submitted to the Governor’s Office.
6. What else do LACUB Member organizations consider when evaluating applications for LACUB endorsement or nominations for endorsement?
Each LACUB Member has its own internal evaluation procedures and criteria it takes into consideration. In addition, all LACUB Members consider the applicant's judicial demeanor, past and relevant legal experience, and professional reputation.
7. Is a LACUB Member organization required to nominate each person who applies for LACUB endorsement?
No. LACUB Members retain sole discretion over which individuals they will nominate for LACUB endorsement.
8. If a Member does not nominate an applicant, may the applicant apply for nomination to another Member?
Yes.
9. Does LACUB have its own judicial evaluation procedures?
No. LACUB has internal procedures governing the nomination and endorsement process, but each Member follows its own internal judicial evaluation procedures in evaluating and nominating individuals for LACUB endorsement, and in evaluating individuals nominated by other Members.
10. Do all LACUB Members have to vote in favor of an individual’s application in order to receive LACUB’s endorsement?
No. A majority of voting Members is required for LACUB endorsement.
11. Is there any deadline to apply for LACUB endorsement?
No. Applications are accepted and LACUB endorsements are issued on a rolling basis.
12. How long does it take for a Member to evaluate an application for LACUB endorsement and decide whether to nominate the applicant?
Each Member follows its own internal judicial evaluation procedures in evaluating applications for LACUB endorsement. The timelines vary from Member to Member.
13. Is the applicant required to submit to an interview?
Each Member follows its own internal judicial evaluation procedures in evaluating applications for LACUB endorsement, which may include an interview. If nominated for LACUB endorsement, the applicant may be asked to submit to a brief interview.
14. Once an applicant is nominated for LACUB endorsement, how long does it take for LACUB to issue a decision?
Typically one month, subject to reasonable extensions at the election of the Nominating Member.
15. If I apply to a LACUB Member organization for nomination for LACUB endorsement, am I guaranteed an endorsement?
No.
16. If LACUB endorses me for judicial office, am I guaranteed an appointment?
No.
17. Will LACUB endorse more than one nominee for any judicial office?
LACUB retains discretion to endorse more than one nominee for any judicial office.
18. Has LACUB endorsed applicants for judicial office?
Yes. LACUB submitted its first endorsements on July 19, 2024, and continues to evaluate nominations as they are received. To date, LACUB has endorsed individuals for Los Angeles Superior Court, Second District Court of Appeal and the United States District Court for the Central District of California. Endorsed individuals include members and non-members of Member organizations. LACUB has also issued letters of support to the Commission on Judicial Appointments in support of nominees for appointment to the Second District Court of Appeal, and to the United States Senate Judiciary Committee in support of nominees for appointment to the USDC Central District.
19. Does LACUB endorse candidates in judicial elections?
Generally, no. In limited circumstances LACUB may endorse or otherwise support candidates for elected office who were previously endorsed by LACUB for appointment.