Twenty-One Apply For Indiana Supreme Court Vacancy

Last updated on Tuesday, March 7, 2017

(INDIANAPOLIS) - The Judicial Nominating Commission received twenty-one applications for the upcoming Indiana Supreme Court vacancy.

The following attorneys and judges have applied for the seat which will be available when Justice Robert D. Rucker retires in the spring of 2017 after 26 years on the bench.

Applicants:

Mr. Dale W. Arnett, Winchester, Indiana
Hon. Vicki L. Carmichael, Clark Circuit Court 4
Mr. Stephen R. Creason, Indianapolis, Indiana
Mr. Ralph E. Dowling, Muncie, Indiana
Hon. Peter R. Foley, Morgan Superior Court 1
Hon. Christopher M. Goff, Wabash Superior Court
Hon. Clayton A. Graham, Marion Superior Court, Criminal Div. 7
Hon. Maria D. Granger, Floyd Superior Court 3
Ms. Elizabeth C. Green, Indianapolis, Indiana
Mr. Lyle R. Hardman, South Bend, Indiana
Ms. Leslie C. Henderzahs, Fishers, Indiana
Hon. Steven L. Hostetler, St. Joseph Superior Court
Hon. Matthew C. Kincaid, Boone Superior Court 1
Hon. Larry W. Medlock, Washington Circuit Court
Ms. Jaime M. Oss, La Porte, Indiana
Mr. Bryce D. Owens, Pendleton, Indiana
Mr. William N. Riley, Indianapolis, Indiana
Mr. Peter J. Rusthoven, Indianapolis, Indiana
Mr. Andrew U. D. Straw, Schaumburg, Illinois
Rep. Thomas M. Washburne, Evansville, Indiana
Ms. Leanna K. Weissmann, Lawrenceburg, Indiana

According to the Indiana Constitution and state statute, the seven-member Commission must recruit and select candidates to fill the vacancy on the state's highest court.

To be eligible for nomination as a justice of the Supreme Court, the Indiana Constitution requires that a person be domiciled in the state, a U.S. citizen, and admitted to practice as a lawyer for 10 years or served as a Circuit or Superior Court judge for at least 5 years. The Commission will review applications, consider applicants' eligibility, legal education, writings, reputation in the practice of law, and other pertinent information to decide who to interview.

Initial interviews are March 20-22 with a second round of interviews April 17-19. They are open to the public and will take place at the Indiana State House in room 319. When the March interview schedule is made public, applications and photographs will be available online. Attachments, including writing samples and transcripts, will be available in the Supreme Court Law Library.

After interviews and deliberations in an executive session, the Commission will publicly vote to send the three most qualified names to Governor Eric Holcomb. The Governor has 60 days to select Indiana's next justice.

1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com

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