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No surprises there. Until the secret soundings are completely abolished the situation won't change.
The JAC refers its selected candidates for consultation with the LCJ and the LC. Forget about the LC: everyone knows it is a purely political post these days so she will have no knowledge of any candidate
As far as the LCJ is concerned neither will she so the request for approval is delegated down the line to Presiders. They are highly unlikely to know any solicitor applicant but may know those from the Bar. If the decision or request for comments is delegated further it will go to DCJs and DFJs who once again are much more likely to know counsel than solicitors.
It's a built in bias in favour of the Bar