Cooney, Laiminger debate experience

The two candidates seeking to become district judge are Gonzaga University graduates who both say their experience makes them the best choice to replace retiring Judge Mike Padden for Position 3.

Mark Laiminger, 48, has worked the past 19 years as a deputy Spokane County prosecutor. But according to a Spokane County Bar Association questionnaire, Laiminger has completed just 27 trials in the past 10 years. In his own defense, Laiminger said he spent more than two years of that time working to secure federal grants and supervising the victim-witness advocates.

“Everyone of those is a felony trial, including child abuse cases and a homicide,” Laiminger said. “A lot fewer felony cases go to trial than misdemeanors.”

John O. Cooney, the son of former District Court Judge John C. Cooney, is 15 years younger than Laiminger but has completed five times more trials in his six years as attorney.

“He’s been playing radio ads that say he has three times the experience I have,” Cooney said. “He’s been a lawyer three times as long as I have, but the experience comes from actually trying cases.”

Cooney also received the higher grade from his peers on a recent poll by the Spokane County Bar Association. A panel honored Cooney with a “well qualified” rating compared to Laiminger’s “qualified” rating. The lowest ranking is “not qualified.”

The attorneys who have worked with Cooney also rated him higher than Laiminger on legal ability, judicial temperament and integrity. Laiminger scored higher than Cooney for having more relevant legal experience, according to the poll.

“I have three times the experience. That’s what I’m talking about, 20 years versus six,” Laiminger said. “If we want to talk about numbers, (Cooney) claims to have handled thousands of cases. That means he would have to have had a new case every day for six years. I don’t know if I necessarily want to go there.”

Cooney said most of his cases have been argued in district court, which gives him a better understanding of what a judge would need to know to be effective. He understands his age, 33, could be an issue with voters.

“My response to them is that I think you know when you are ready for a position like this when the people in the system respect you enough to send their loved ones to you when they are having a tough time,” Cooney told The Spokesman-Review editorial board earlier this month. “I’ve received referrals from law enforcement, from their family and friends and from judges. That means a lot when people who have been working in the system for a long time call.”

Laiminger acknowledged that his entire experience after law school has been working criminal cases. He pointed out that civil cases represent just a fraction of the overall cases that go before district judges, who make $125,672 a year.

“None of us knows all the law but we know where to find it,” Laiminger said. “I don’t feel handicapped. I read fast and learn quickly. I would actually appreciate the opportunity to learn that new field.”

Cooney also has a huge advantage in endorsements, including eight of 12 sitting Spokane County Superior Court Judges, several sitting District Court judges and many retired judges.

“I appreciate those endorsements because those are the people who have seen me work. They know how I handle myself,” Cooney said. “But the ones that surprised me and the ones I’m somewhat thankful for are the law enforcement support.”

Cooney earned the endorsement from many of the unions representing the Washington State Patrol, Spokane Police and Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.

“Being a defense attorney, I work against those people. I grade their work,” Cooney said. “It’s nice to see that … they think I would make a good judge.”

Laiminger said Cooney earned most of those endorsements prior to entering the race as Padden’s hand-picked replacement.

“If I ever get to be a judge, I would like to be like (retired Superior Court Judge) Harold Clarke (II),” Laiminger said. “That’s one endorsement that I’m very proud of. I say that because of the respectful way I always saw (Clarke) treat everyone who came before him.”

Laiminger also pointed out that his endorsement list has a broader spectrum of residents who support his run for judge.

“If you compare (endorsement lists), there are a lot more ordinary citizens who think I would do a fine job and not just a bunch of lawyers,” he said.