New Indiana Supreme Court justice will be IU grad

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The committee that will select the three finalists to become the first new state Supreme Court justice in more than a decade is picking among nine candidates who are mostly from the Indianapolis area and all graduates of Indiana University's two law schools.

The Judicial Nominating Commission is to conduct second interviews with the finalists — five men and four women — July 30. It will then send three names to Gov. Mitch Daniels, who will appoint the replacement for Justice Theodore Boehm, who is retiring in September.

After the commission narrowed the list from the 34 applicants, its chairman, Chief Justice Randall Shepard, said legal talent, public service and credibility would be key factors.

Indiana is one of only two top state courts in the country without a female justice, and Boehm has said he hopes Daniels will pick a woman to replace him.

Shepard wouldn't say how major a role gender would play in selecting the finalists.

"I think the consensus is that the state is well served if there is as broad of a range of talents and experiences as possible with the nominees," he said.

Daniels hasn't talked publicly about what criteria he will consider for the appointment.

Seven of the contenders are from Indianapolis or its neighboring counties. Six graduated from Indiana University's law school in Indianapolis, while three graduated from the Bloomington law school.

Whoever is appointed will be the first new justice since 1999. That year, Gov. Frank O'Bannon appointed Robert Rucker after the state's only female justice, Myra Selby, resigned after four years on the court.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The committee that will select the three finalists to become the first new state Supreme Court justice in more than a decade is picking among nine candidates who are mostly from the Indianapolis area and all graduates of Indiana University's two law schools.

The Judicial Nominating Commission is to conduct second interviews with the finalists — five men and four women — July 30. It will then send three names to Gov. Mitch Daniels, who will appoint the replacement for Justice Theodore Boehm, who is retiring in September.

After the commission narrowed the list from the 34 applicants, its chairman, Chief Justice Randall Shepard, said legal talent, public service and credibility would be key factors.

Indiana is one of only two top state courts in the country without a female justice, and Boehm has said he hopes Daniels will pick a woman to replace him.

Shepard wouldn't say how major a role gender would play in selecting the finalists.

"I think the consensus is that the state is well served if there is as broad of a range of talents and experiences as possible with the nominees," he said.

Daniels hasn't talked publicly about what criteria he will consider for the appointment.

Seven of the contenders are from Indianapolis or its neighboring counties. Six graduated from Indiana University's law school in Indianapolis, while three graduated from the Bloomington law school.

Whoever is appointed will be the first new justice since 1999. That year, Gov. Frank O'Bannon appointed Robert Rucker after the state's only female justice, Myra Selby, resigned after four years on the court.


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