Judicial Endorsements 

MENAJOC Judicial Endorsement Process

To maintain the integrity of the endorsement process and to respect the privacy interests of the candidate and those who have provided information on the applicant, and to encourage candid communications from sources, all investigations and proceedings of the MENAJOC Judicial Endorsement Committee, and its investigative members, shall be treated as confidential and will be disclosed or discussed only with other committee members, the MENAJOC Executive Board, or judicial officers, as necessary to accomplish the vetting process. 

In examining an applicant, the MENAJOC may consider any factor relevant to the applicant’s qualifications to serve as a Judge of the Superior Court, and the applicant’s suitability for MENAJOC’s organizational endorsement, including the following factors:

• Good standing in the State Bar of California

• Professional experience

• Professional and personal reputation

• Integrity and character

• Lack of bias or prejudice

• Prior judicial or quasi-judicial experience

• Industry and diligence

• Temperament and demeanor

• Civic and community activities

• Commitment to diversity and inclusion

To initiate the endorsement request process, the applicant must submit a written request to MENAJOC’s Judicial Endorsement Committee.  The request should explain the applicant’s nexus to or involvement with the Middle Eastern and North African community. The request should also be accompanied by a copy of the application and all supporting documents that the applicant either intends to submit or has submitted to the Governor’s office. The letter, application, and accompanying material should be emailed to endorsements@menajoc.org.

Upon receiving all required materials from an applicant, the MENA Judicial Endorsement Committee Chair will designate one or more judicial officers to conduct a confidential vetting of the applicant. The judicial officer(s) will confer with other judicial officers familiar with the applicant, attorneys, and anyone else having knowledge of the applicant’s attributes.  If judicial officer(s) deem it necessary, they may ask for additional information from the applicant. 

Within 90 days of receipt of all the necessary documentation, the judicial officer(s) will provide a report and recommendation to the MENAJOC Executive Board.  The Board will then determine whether to 1) draft a letter of support/recommendation or 2) not support the candidate and either a) stop all further work on the application or b) explain to the candidate the challenges identified that prevent MENAJOC’s formal support.   

In cases where the Executive Board has agreed to support the candidate, the investigating judicial officer will be asked to write a draft letter of support/recommendation and submit it to the Executive Board.  If approved, MENAJOC’s President will send a letter to the Governor via the Judicial Appointments Secretary.  These letters are confidential and will not be shared with anyone else, including the applicant.

If, after the MENAJOC Executive Board decides to endorse an applicant’s candidacy a material change occurs affecting the applicant’s qualifications for MENAJOC’s endorsement, the MENAJOC Executive Board, in its discretion, may revoke its endorsement. 

Restrictions Regarding Candidates for Election to Judicial Office

MENAJOC’s endorsement may not be used in any way, directly or indirectly, in relation to any election to judicial office (or to any other office) absent MENAJOC’s express authorization. 

Applicants for the Court of Appeal

MENAJOC will also consider writing letters of endorsement for applicants to the Court of Appeal, employing a similar vetting and evaluation process as described above.  Factors to be considered in deciding whether to endorse an applicant to the Court of Appeal include the applicable factors for the evaluation of superior court candidates, with an emphasis on factors relevant to an appellate court appointment (e.g., intellectual capacity, writing ability, scholarship, collegiality, Court of Appeal pro tem experience, teaching experience, etc.).  The scope of the examination may be limited in the discretion of the MENAJOC Executive Board.  MENAJOC may endorse more than one candidate for a district Court of Appeal.