The Western New York chapter of the Women's Bar Association of the State of New York released its ratings for candidates for New York State Supreme Court and Erie County Court.

The Women's Bar Association uses a four-level overall rating system of Outstanding, Highly Qualified, Qualified and Not Recommended. The rating is based upon a personal interview with the candidate, evaluation of writing samples submitted by the candidate and a survey of membership as to their professional experience with the candidate.

As part of the overall rating, judicial candidates were rated Excellent, Very Good, Good and Poor in the areas of judicial temperament, reasoning ability and communication skills, legal experience and background for the position sought, and sensitivity to women's and community issues. 

State Supreme Court Candidates

Patrick NeMoyer: Outstanding

Judicial Temperament: Excellent

Reasoning Ability & Communication Skills: Excellent

Legal Experience & Background for Position Sought: Excellent

Sensitivity to Community & Women's Issues: Excellent

Erie County Family Court Candidates

Patricia Maxwell: Outstanding

Judicial Temperament: Very Good

Reasoning Ability & Communication Skills: Very Good

Legal Experience & Background for Position Sought: Excellent

Sensitivity to Community & Women's Issues: Excellent

Sharon LoVallo: Highly Qualified

Judicial Temperament: Very Good

Reasoning Ability & Communication Skills: Very Good

Legal Experience & Background for Position Sought: Very Good

Sensitivity to Community & Women's Issues: Very Good

Buffalo City Court Candidates

Gillian Brown: Highly Qualified

Judicial Temperament: Very Good

Reasoning Ability & Communication Skills: Very Good

Legal Experience & Background for Position Sought: Very Good

Sensitivity to Community & Women's Issues: Very Good

Susan Eagan: Highly Qualified

Judicial Temperament: Very Good

Reasoning Ability & Communication Skills: Very Good

Legal Experience & Background for Position Sought: Very Good

Sensitivity to Community & Women's Issues: Very Good

Joseph Fiorella: Qualified 

Judicial Temperament: Good

Reasoning Ability & Communication Skills: Very Good

Legal Experience & Background for Position Sought: Very Good

Sensitivity to Community & Women's Issues: Good

David Manz: Highly Qualified

Judicial Temperament: Very Good

Reasoning Ability & Communication Skills: Very Good

Legal Experience & Background for Position Sought: Very Good

Sensitivity to Community & Women's Issues: Good

Robert Russell: Outstanding

Judicial Temperament: Excellent

Reasoning Ability & Communication Skills: Excellent

Legal Experience & Background for Position Sought: Excellent

Sensitivity to Community & Women's Issues: Excellent

Diane Wray and Anthony Pendergrass declined to be rated.