Endorsements

In issuing judicial endorsements, AABA-SD is guided by its mission to build, support and empower a pipeline of leaders in the Arab American legal community as well as to promote diversity on the bench and the bar, thus helping to ensure equity within our justice system.  An endorsement by AABA-SD shall signify that AABA-SD has found the endorsed candidate suitable for the office or position sought, and that such endorsement is consistent with AABA-SD’s mission. AABA-SD will not be limited in the number of candidates it may endorse where it has been approached by multiple candidates for the same office or position, nor will AABA-SD issue any endorsement for which it does not find a suitable basis. To that end, AABASD may take into consideration each of the following when considering requests for its endorsement:

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1. Qualifications and professional work experience;

2. Demonstrated fairness and commitment to diversity, equality, and inclusion in the legal community;

3. Involvement in community activities and local bar associations;

4. Commitment to diversity;

5. Integrity, character, and temperament;

6. Aptitude and communication skills; and

7. Past and present nexus to the Arab-American community, to other communities of color, and to AABA-SD.

 

Who May Apply: AABA-SD will consider requests for endorsements from candidates seeking judicial office, candidates seeking office on the San Diego County Bar Association (“SDCBA”), and those seeking requests for letters of support or endorsements for local, non-partisan elected positions in the legal field, such as district attorney and city attorney. AABA-SD will not contact candidates or endorse any candidate who has not specifically approached AABA-SD for an endorsement.

 

Ad Hoc Endorsement Committee: When it receives an endorsement request, AABA-SD may appoint an ad hoc endorsement committee to vet and interview the candidate seeking endorsement. Such ad hoc endorsement committees shall consist of three members of AABA-SD, at least two of whom shall be officers or members of AABA-SD’s Board.

 

Procedure: If you wish to seek the endorsement of the AABA-SD, please reach out to the Endorsement Committee at aabasandiego@gmail.com seeking a copy of our procedure and Endorsement Application.

 

Confidentiality: The names and application materials of all candidates seeking endorsement shall be kept confidential.

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Expenses: AABA-SD will not dedicate or use any part of its funding towards supporting or endorsing a candidate.

 

**AABA-SD reserves the right to decline endorsement requests based on insufficient time for its evaluation, and generally reserves the right to decline to review any endorsement request in its discretion.