Bar deems Eugster ‘not qualified’

Attorney and former Spokane City Councilman Stephen Eugster was deemed “not qualified” to be a Superior Court judge in an evaluation by the county’s bar association, according to a report released Friday.

The Spokane County Bar Association evaluated five of seven candidates vying to become Superior Court judges, using an in-depth interview and evaluation process. Additionally, more than 400 members of the association rated the candidates using a 4-point scale in the categories of legal ability, judicial temperament, integrity and relevant legal experience.

Although the poll and evaluations do not equate to an endorsement for any candidate, they do show legal community members’ feelings about the contenders in the three races, which could be decided as early as Sept. 14. The poll and evaluations were paid for by participating candidates.

Aside from being the only participating candidate in the poll to be deemed unqualified by an 11-member panel, Eugster received the lowest ratings of all candidates in the poll. Respondents could rate applicants with scores of 1 (not qualified), 2 (qualified), 3 (well qualified) and 4 (exceptionally well qualified). Eugster did not receive a score above 1.84 – his lowest was 1.19 in judicial temperament.

A receptionist at Eugster’s law office said he had no comment.

Eugster’s opponent, Superior Court Judge Sam Cozza, was deemed “qualified” by the panel and received poll scores of at least 3 in all but one category. Cozza said he was fairly pleased by his scores.

“It probably helps the public most if you have a candidate who’s clearly unqualified or clearly qualified,” said Cozza, adding that “the numbers speak for themselves.”

Superior Court Judge Greg Sypolt received the highest poll marks of the candidates in all but one category, judicial temperament. His 3.36 integrity score rated the highest of all candidates in all categories. Sypolt also received the group’s strongest evaluation, “exceptionally qualified.”

“I’m both honored and humbled by the results, as well as being pleased,” said Sypolt, who has worked as a Superior Court judge since 1997.

Attorney Michael Elston, who’s running against Sypolt and did not participate in the process, could not be reached for comment.

In the court’s three-way race, Harold D. Clarke III received an evaluation of “well qualified,” and scored above 3 in each of the four poll categories. Clarke said he believes the ratings correctly reflect his background and experience, adding that he is pleased with the results.

“I think it does give citizens of the community some guidance,” he said.

Superior Court Commissioner Joe Valente questioned his panel evaluation of “qualified,” stating that he received a higher ranking from Washington Women Lawyers under the same criteria.

Valente, who did not receive a score higher than 2.97 in his poll results, said it’s too early to tell if any campaign changes need to be made.

“In the past, it seems voters have decided what they wanted to do in a way that seems inconsistent to what the bar would have suggested,” he said.

Lawyer Gail Schwartz chose not to participate in the evaluation and polling process. She was unavailable for comment Friday.