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Oki Receives ‘Well Qualified’ Rating From County Bar
By a MetNews Staff Writer
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Dan Oki, who faces three challengers in the March 2 primary, has received the highest possible rating from a county bar panel, his consultant said yesterday.
Fred Huebscher said the judge received notification he was rated “well qualified” by the Los Angeles County Bar Association Judicial Elections Evaluation Committee. He becomes the seventh of 36 judicial candidates to publicly claim the top rating.
Oki is being challenged by Deputy District Attorneys Marc Debbaudt and Hilary Rhonan and Encino attorney Eugene Salute. Rhonan’s appeal of her rating—which she has declined to reveal—was to be heard last night.
Debbaudt said yesterday he has not yet received a rating, and Salute’s interview with the panel was to have taken place Tuesday evening.
Department of Industrial Relations attorney Stella Owens-Murrell, who is challenging Judge Chesley McKay, said yesterday she has been rated “qualified” and does not plan an appeal. McKay, who has been away from his courtroom on an extended medical leave since September, could not be reached for comment.
Initial ratings are based on a subcommittee evaluation and are subject to appeal to the full committee if less than “well qualified.” The panel also hands out ratings of “qualified” and “not qualified.”
Other candidates who have so far revealed they have been rated “well qualified” are Judge David Wesley, who faces three challengers; Los Angeles Deputy City Attorney Miguel Dager, one of four candidates for the seat being vacated by Judge Marcus Tucker; Deputy District Attorney Jeffrey S. Gootman, who is among six candidates seeking to succeed Judge Richard Hubbell; Deputy District Attorney Craig J. Mitchell and Superior Court Referee D. Zeke Zeidler, both of whom are among six candidates seeking the seat currently held by Judge Rosemary Shumsky; Deputy District Attorney Laura Priver, one of three candidates running to succeed Judge Nancy Brown; and Deputy District Attorney Judith L. Meyer, who is among five candidates to succeed Judge James Wright.
Copyright 2004, Metropolitan News Company