The Bar Association of Erie County completed its 2011 ratings for judicial candidates for Buffalo City Court, Erie County Family Court and New York State Supreme Court. Ratings include Outstanding, Well Qualified, Qualified and Not Recommended. The ratings are as follows:

New York State Supreme Court

• Patrick NeMoyer - Outstanding

Erie County Court

• Sharon LoVallo - Well Qualified

• Patricia Maxwell - Well Qualified

Buffalo City Court

• Gillian Brown - Qualified

• Susan Eagan - Well Qualified

• Joseph Fiorella - Well Qualified

• David Manz - Well Qualified

• Anthony Pendergrass -

Not Recommended

• Robert Russell Jr. - Outstanding

• Diane Wray - Not Recommended

Judicial candidates are asked to complete a written questionnaire and are rated on criteria including integrity, experience, professional ability, education, reputation, industry, temperament, fairness, statutory standards, attitude, punctuality and knowledge of the law - all of which are determined through a process that includes a personal interview with each candidate who requests it, as well as interviews with lawyers and judges who have had interaction with the candidates.