Interviews set for 20 Supreme Court applicants

The Indiana Judicial Nominating Commission has set aside a day-and-a-half to interview 20 candidates eligible to succeed retiring Justice Robert Rucker on the Indiana Supreme Court. Here is the schedule:

Tuesday, March 21
9:30-9:50 a.m.: Ralph E. Dowling, solo practitioner, Muncie
9:50-10:10 a.m.: Marion Superior Judge Clayton A. Graham, Indianapolis
10:10-10:30 a.m.: Jaime M. Oss, partner, Huelat Mack & Kreppein PC, LaPorte
(Break)
10:45-11:05 a.m.: Washington Circuit Judge Larry W. Medlock, Salem
11:05-11:25 a.m.: Rep. Thomas W. Washburne, Evansville
11:25-11:45 a.m.: Peter J. Rusthoven, partner, Barnes & Thornburg LLP, Indianapolis
(Lunch – Executive Session to consider applications)
1:30-1:50 p.m.: Leslie C. Henderzahs, partner, Church Church Hittle & Antrim PC, Fishers
1:50-2:10 p.m.: Stephen R. Creason, deputy attorney general, Indianapolis
2:10-2:30 p.m.: St. Joseph Superior Judge Steven L. Hostetler, South Bend
(Break)
2:45-3:05 p.m.: William N. Riley, partner, Riley Williams & Piatt LLC, Indianapolis
3:05-3:25 p.m.: Boone Superior Judge Matthew C. Kincaid, Lebanon
3:25-3:45 p.m.: Lyle R. Hardman, partner, Hunt Suedhoff Kalamaros LLP, South Bend
(Break)
4-5 p.m. – Executive session to consider applications

Wednesday, March 22
9:30-9:50 a.m.: Morgan Superior Judge Peter R. Foley, Martinsville
9:50-10:10 a.m.: Floyd Superior Judge Maria D. Granger, New Albany
10:10-10:30 a.m.: Dale W. Arnett, solo practitioner, Winchester
(Break)
10:45-11:05 a.m.: Clark Superior Judge Vicki L. Carmichael, Jeffersonville
11:05-11:25 a.m.: Elizabeth C. Green, partner, Riley Bennett Egloff, Indianapolis
11:25-11:45 a.m.: Leanna K. Weissmann, solo practitioner, Lawrenceburg
(Break)
12 p.m.-12:20 p.m.: Wabash Superior Judge Christopher M. Goff, Wabash
12:20-12:40 p.m. – Bryce D. Owens, solo practitioner, Pendleton
12:55 p.m. – Lunch and deliberations in executive session, followed by public vote to select semi-finalists

Candidates’ applications were posted online Wednesday and may be viewed here.

Semifinalists will be interviewed April 17-19. The commission will then select three names to be forwarded to Gov. Eric Holcomb for his selection.

Former Indiana Supreme Court employee attorney Andrew U.D. Straw, who applied to fill the vacancy, will not be interviewed. The commission determined in an executive session that Straw did not meet eligibility requirements. An Illinois resident and advocate for disabled clients, Straw was suspended by the court last month for filing frivolous lawsuits. He also has sued the court, alleging discrimination on the basis of disability.

Rucker will retire this spring after 26 years on the appellate bench, though no date has been announced. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court will travel to Rucker’s hometown of Gary Thursday, where the local legal community is preparing to welcome him.