The Judiciary Committee of the Montgomery Bar Association is charged with interviewing and rating candidates for the position of judge on the Court of Common Pleas.

The Judiciary Committee is composed of 30 lawyers of diverse backgrounds, ages, practices, and geographic areas of the county with a combined legal practice exceeding 700 years.

Each candidate is evaluated individually and not as compared to other candidates. The purpose of the ratings is to educate the public as to how the candidate’s peers view them as possibly becoming judges, and to assist the electorate in their evaluation of judicial candidates on Election Day.

The Committee is charged to rate a candidate recommended, highly recommended, or not recommended. The recommendation awarded to the candidate does not speak to the candidate’s ability as a practicing attorney at law.

The rating criteria that are considered are:

• Integrity
• Good moral character
• Industry
• Good health
• Legal ability
• Bench trial, jury trial, or evidentiary hearing experience
• Judicial temperament (patience, courtesy, compassion, impartiality, humility, even temper, sense of fairness)

Each candidate submits to the Committee a biographical summary of their legal experience and background. These submissions are carefully reviewed and considered. The Committee also conducts reviews and discussions with persons each candidate advises are familiar with their qualifications. The Bar considers this procedure a public service.

The Montgomery Bar highly recommends the following individuals be elected:

• Jeffrey M. Lindy
• Jeffrey S. Saltz
• Joseph P. Walsh

The Montgomery Bar recommends the following individuals be elected:

• David Dormont
• David G. Ennis
• Henry S. Hilles, III
• David A. Keightly, Sr.
• Karl S. Myers
• Wendy G. Rothstein
• Melissa Schwartz
• Virgil B. Walker
• Diane M. Zabowski
• Adam D. Zucker

The Committee is also charged to rate a sitting judge as recommended for retention or not recommended for retention.

The Montgomery Bar recommends the following judge for retention:

• The Honorable Thomas M. Del Ricci