10 finalists named for IN Supreme Court vacancy

The Indiana Judicial Nominating Commission has selected 10 finalists to advance to the next round of interviews for an upcoming vacancy on the Indiana Supreme Court that will open when Justice Steven David retires.

The 10 finalists include:

• William W. Barrett, partner, Williams Barrett & Wilkowski, Greenwood
• Judge Jennifer L. DeGroote, Allen Superior Court
• Justin P. Forkner, chief administrative officer, Indiana Supreme Court Office of Judicial Administration, Indianapolis
• Judge Ryan K. Gardner, Marion Superior Court
• Judge Dana J. Kenworthy, Grant Superior Court
• Judge Gretchen S. Lund, Elkhart Superior Court
• Judge Derek R. Molter, Court of Appeals of Indiana
• Patrick W. Price, special counsel, Office of Management and Budget, Indianapolis
• Judge Rudolph R. Pyle III, Court of Appeals of Indiana
• Judge Mark E. Spitzer, Grant Circuit Court

The 10 finalists were announced Tuesday after the JNC interviewed a total of 19 candidates over a two-day period this week. The applicants are seeking to fill the vacancy on the Supreme Court that will open when David retires this fall.

The semifinalists will be interviewed in April on a date to be announced. After the second round of interviews, the JNC will select “the three most qualified candidates” whose names will be submitted to Gov. Eric Holcomb.

Holcomb, a Republican, will then select the state’s next justice.

The other nine candidates who were interviewed this week included:

• Judge Jeffrey W. Clymer, Porter Superior Court
• Judge James A. Joven, Marion Superior Court
• Judge Robert D. Krieg, Gibson Superior Court
• Matthew J. McGovern, McGovern Law Office, Fishers
• Judge Amy S. Miskimen, Warrick Superior Court
• Judge Jaime M. Oss, LaPorte Superior Court
• William N. Riley, RileyCate, Fishers
• Curtis E. Shirley, Law Office of Curtis E. Shirley, Carmel
• Judge Lisa L. Swaim, Cass Superior Court