Make objective qualifications your focus when hiring.

• Position: Legal Briefs

The best way to inoculate against failure-to-hire or promote lawsuits is to ensure your selection process is based on objective criteria.

Recent case: Reuben, a civilian employee of the U.S. Army, was older than 63 when he applied for a promotion. The job announcement called for expertise in managing dredging contracts, among other skills.

Reuben was one of seven candidates. The first question asked of each candidate was whether they had dredging experience. Reuben had little. He wasn't...