Applications open for Allen Superior Civil Division judge

Applications are open for qualified Allen County attorneys interested in serving as a judge in Superior Court, Civil Division.

Indiana Supreme Court Justice Steven David chairs the Allen County Judicial Nominating Committee and announced in a statement Tuesday that the commission will consider applicants to fill a vacancy that will be created with the retirement of Judge Steven Sims from his position in the Family Relations Division.

Judge Daniel Heath will transfer to the Family Relations Division, replacing Sims as allowed under IC 33-33-2-39, which governs Allen County courts. Heath’s move will create the vacancy in Allen Superior Court, Civil Division, which will be filled by the commission.

Applications are available on the Supreme Court’s website and at the Allen County Clerk’s Office, 715 S.  Calhoun St., Room 200A, Fort Wayne, IN, 46802. Applications must be turned in to the clerk by 4:30 p.m. on April 9. The Allen Judicial Nominating Commission will meet at 9 a.m. on April 25 and 26 to interview applicants at a location to be announced later.

The commission will select the three most highly qualified candidates from which Gov. Mike Pence will make an appointment.

“I encourage those interested in a public service career to submit their names to the commission,” David said. “We recognize the commission will have a tough task with many qualified Allen County attorneys, but we are looking forward to meeting with the applicants and providing the governor with an excellent list of candidates.”

The seven-member commission was established by the Indiana General Assembly in 1983 and includes three members admitted to the bar and selected by the county’s lawyers and three non-lawyer members chosen by the governor. The panel is chaired by a justice or Court of Appeals judge appointed by the chief justice. David was recently appointed chairman by Chief Justice Brent Dickson.