Judgeship Candidate Sues County Bar

A candidate for a judgeship in Los Angeles County filed a lawsuit Thursday against the Los Angeles County Bar Assn. after it issued an opinion that she is not qualified.

The candidate, defense attorney Vicki M. Roberts, also requested a restraining order against the association, which Judge David Yaffee denied. Yaffee said the 1st Amendment protects the bar’s right to rate prospective judges who are standing for public elections.

It is the first time a candidate has sought such an order, said Rex Heinke, the association’s president-elect. The ratings are used by newspapers and other media to help decide on endorsements and usually carry great weight in determining who will win judgeships.

Roberts was evaluated as “not qualified” in ratings released Thursday because, “in the committee’s opinion, at this time she lacks judicial temperament.”

In a letter to Roberts, committee members also informed her that they thought she dressed inappropriately, had a “hair-trigger personality” and “did not exercise proper professional judgment.”

In her lawsuit, Roberts alleges that she was “sandbagged” during the review process. She charges that a deputy district attorney whom she had asked to be disqualified from reviewing her was present during deliberations, and that committee members heeded allegations from her enemies in the district attorney’s office.

Heinke said Roberts’ hearing in front of the bar association had been fair.

Roberts seeks a retraction, financial compensation and a review of the process.