Procedure for Seeking NCAWA's Endorsement for an Election or Appointment

NCAWA's Judicial Endorsements Committee (JEC) is a registered political action committee which makes non-partisan endorsements and campaign contributions in judicial elections.  In contrast, NCAWA's Nominating and Public Service Awards Committee makes endorsements for appointments to state and federal judicial positions, State Bar Council Seats and any other appointments that will further the goals of the organization.  For more information regarding the process for seeking NCAWA's endorsement for judicial election or appointment, please see below.
 

How to Request NCAWA's Endorsement for a Judicial Election

The JEC follows set criteria and procedures in making endorsements.  The JEC endorses a candidate for judicial office based on the following criteria: (1) the candidate's legal skill and ability; (2) the candidate's experience as a professional and in the community; (3) the candidate's competence, legal experience, temperament, and demeanor for a judicial position; and (4) the candidate's support for women in the legal profession and for the rights of women under the law.  Endorsements are communicated to our members as well as to the media across the state.  
 
The JEC evaluates each candidate for a race and conducts a thorough investigation.  The investigation specifically inlcudes interviewing practictioners about the candidates, both those the candidate has listed as references and others in the relevant community.  For candidates who have already served as appellate judges, the investigation includes reading their opinions.  The procedure is thorough, and the Committee takes its obligation to investigate seriously.

If you would like to request NCAWA's endorsement for your candidacy, please contact the Judicial Endorsements Committee Chair.
 
Judicial Endorsements Committee Chair:
Sheila Lambert
Law Office of Sheila M. Lambert
BB&T Bldg., Suite 1407
One West Pack Square
Asheville, NC  28801
Tel: (828) 252-6700
Fax: (828) 253-0509
 

How to Request NCAWA's Endorsement for an Appointment

The Nominating and Public Service Awards Committee welcomes candidates seeking appointments to state and federal judicial positions, an State Bar Council Seats, as well as any other appointments that will further the goals of the organization, to request the endorsement of NCAWA. Anyone interested in being considered for NCAWA endorsement should send a  request and a resume to the Committee Chair.  It would also be helpful to have any available letters of recommendation or contact information of those who would provide useful information about the candidate's qualifications and abilities for this appointment.
 
Advancing women in the legal profession and in the justice system is the core of our organization, and will be an important guideline as we evaluate any endorsement. Candidates for NCAWA endorsement, should review our goals and our substantive resolutions. All of that information is available on other pages of this website.  The Committee will want to know the candidate's history of participating in the organization and supporting our goals.
 
When a request is received, the Committee reviews the material submitted and appoints members to investigate and report. The investigation will focus on the candidate's evident competence and aptitude for the job; proven support for NCAWA's goals; and history of participation in NCAWA activities.  We also look for feedback from local NCAWA chapters where they are active and available to provide input.  Based on the material submitted and the investigation results, the Committe makes a decision and takes action.
 
Because candidates for appointment do not all request endorsement at the same time, and  the vacancies are not predictable, the Committee does not have a policy of endorsing only one candidate for a particular vacancy, at a certain point in the process.  We have adopted a policy of  endorsing no more than two candidates for any one vacancy.  We will review and research requests as they come in, considering the status of each one, both independently, and in light of other actions we have taken and other pending requests.  In our analysis we focus on the appropriateness of the candidate for the position, the best interests of NCAWA, and the impact of our endorsement on the process and the goals of the organization.
 
Nominating and Public Service Committee Chair:
Dee Wallis
Wallis Law Firm, P.A.
5500 McNeely Drive, Suite 102
Raleigh, NC 27612
Tel: (919) 783-8118
Fax: (919) 781-0333