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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowAn Indiana Supreme Court justice is in South Bend today to actively encourage attorneys to apply for an opening on the St. Joseph Superior Court that will be available when Judge William T. Means retires Sept. 30.
“Being a judge is a challenging but enormously gratifying way for an attorney to use all of his or her legal skills in a way that improves both the quality of life in our community and the quality of justice in our state,” Justice Frank Sullivan Jr. said. “Many lawyers think about pursuing a judicial career; this is a perfect time to do so.”
The announcement seeking applicants was made in mid-June, and the county’s Judicial Nominating Commission is accepting applications until 5 p.m. Aug. 29. Interviews for applicants will be Sept. 12 in South Bend.
According to state law, unlike other counties in Indiana that have partisan elections for judges, a seven-member nominating commission can submit up to five nominees to the governor for consideration. The governor may also not consider partisan politics in his decision.
Justice Sullivan, who has chaired the commission since 1993, said state law requires the commission to make its recommendation based strictly on merit.
To be eligible, applicants must live in St. Joseph County, be a U.S. citizen, and be admitted to practice law in Indiana. Factors considered by the commission include the applicant’s law school record, scholarly work, public service work in civic affairs and justice administration, legal experience, probable judicial temperament, and potential conflicts of interest.
Application forms are available from St. Joseph Court Clerk Rita Glenn at (574) 235-9772 or online at www.in.gov/judiciary/stjoseph/judicial-application.pdf.
“In the 15 years that I have had the great honor of chairing the St. Joseph Superior Court Judicial Nominating Commission, I have been impressed by the high quality and diversity of legal talent in St. Joseph County,” Justice Sullivan said.
Many commission-appointed St. Joseph Superior judges have moved on to higher positions: Judge Robert L. Miller became a U.S. District judge and Judge Sanford M. Brook joined the Indiana Court of Appeals.
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