According to A Pursuit of Justice by Steven Platt
- Judicial Temperament: ability to communicate with counsel, jurors, witnesses, & parties calmly and courteously as well as willingness to listen to/consider what is said on all sides of debatable proposition.
- Intelligence: ability to know/apply legal rules, analyses and procedures to different circumstances/facts. –Perceive, comprehend, understand new concepts/ideas.
- Ethics: demonstrate personal standard of ethical conduct that stands out among general citizenry
- Courage and Integrity: Legal courage = willingness to do what law requires of judge even if unpopular; Integrity = not being influenced by race, gender, identity, political status, wealth, relationship of party
- Experience and Education: professional activities, teaching, legal education, bar activities, and publications
- Suitability to Workload: Compatibility with workload of court.
- Continuing Legal Education: improving knowledge, willingness to continue legal education
- Ability to Communicate: listening; expressing oneself clear/concise/grammatically both orally & in writing.
- Civic and Professional Responsibility: contribution to the public, & legal profession through organizations (Bar & non-Bar)
- Health: sufficient physical/mental health to perform duties of office.
- Character: noted as most important quality*; positive reputation in professional/residential community; background free of indiscretions; financial stability.