2009 Judiciary Candidate Ratings PDF Print E-mail

PRESS RELEASE

September 10, 2009

The Western New York Chapter of the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York announces its ratings for candidates for New York State Supreme Court.

The Women’s Bar Association uses a four-level overall rating system of Outstanding, Highly Qualified, Qualified and Not Recommended. The rating is based upon a personal interview with the candidate, evaluation of writing samples submitted by the candidate, and a survey of our membership as to their professional experience with the candidate.

As part of the overall rating, judicial candidates were rated Excellent, Very Good, Good and Poor in the areas of judicial temperament, reasoning ability and communication skills, legal experience and background for the position sought, and sensitivity to women’s and community issues.

STATE SUPREME COURT CANDIDATES



Hon John F. O’Donnell: Highly Qualified
Sensitivity to Community & Women’s Issues Excellent
Judicial Temperament Very Good
Reasoning Ability & Communication Skills Very Good
Legal Experience & Background for Position Sought Excellent

Hon. Shirley Troutman: Outstanding
Sensitivity to Community & Women's Issues Excellent
Judicial Temperament Excellent
Reasoning Ability & Communication Skills Very Good
Legal Experience & Background for Position Sought Excellent

Russell Ippolito: Qualified
Sensitivity to Community & Women’s Issues Fair
Judicial Temperament Good
Reasoning Ability & Communication Skills Good
Experience & Background for Position Sought Good

Hon. Christopher J. Burns: Outstanding
Sensitivity to Community & Women’s Issues Excellent
Judicial Temperament Excellent
Reasoning Ability & Communication Skills Excellent
Experience & Background for Position Sought Excellent

Hon. Henry J. Nowak: Highly Qualified
Sensitivity to Community & Women’s Issues Very Good
Judicial Temperament Excellent
Reasoning Ability & Communication Skills Very Good
Legal Experience & Background for Position Sought Very Good