MOREHEAD — The Rowan County attorney, a former public defender and a Frenchburg lawyer were selected Thursday as nominees for a vacant district judgeship.
William W. Roberts, Stephen G. Guerin and John A. Nefzger were chosen by the state Judicial Nominating Commission as candidates to fill the vacancy in the 21st Judicial District — Rowan, Bath, Menifee and Montgomery counties.
Their names will be submitted to Gov. Steve Beshear, who will select one of them to fill the position.
The vacancy was created when William E. Lane was appointed circuit judge for the four counties on Aug. 13. Lane replaced William B. Mains, who took senior status.
In addition to being Rowan County attorney, Roberts, of Morehead, is associated with the Roberts & Watkins law firm. He earned his law degree from Salmon P. Chase College of Law at Northern Kentucky University.
Guerin, who was previously with the Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy, also earned his legal degree from Chase.
Nefzger, of Frenchburg, is a private-practice attorney. He earned his juris doctorate degree from the University of Kentucky College of Law.
Thursday’s judicial nominations were the third to be announced this week for vacancies in Northeastern Kentucky.
Earlier, the commission nominated Roger W. Hall, Scott T. Reese and Anna H. Ruth for the vacant district judgeship in Boyd County. That position came open when George W. Davis III was appointed to the Boyd circuit bench earlier this year.
Also, the commission chose David D. Flatt, Gary E. Conn and Steve O’Connor as candidates for the vacant family court judge position in the 37th Judicial District — Carter, Elliott and Morgan Counties.
Flatt is currently commonwealth’s attorney for the district. Conn, his former assistant and a one-time domestic relations commissioner, is a private-practice attorney in Grayson. O’Connor is the Morgan County attorney.
When a judicial vacancy occurs, the executive secretary of the Judicial Nominating Commission publishes a notice of vacancy in the judicial circuit or the judicial district affected. Attorneys can recommend someone or nominate themselves. The names of the applicants are not released.
Once nominations occur, the individuals interested in the position return a questionnaire to the Office of the Chief Justice of the Kentucky Supreme Court. Chief Justice John D. Minton then meets with the judicial nominating commission to choose three nominees.
Because the Kentucky Constitution requires that three names be submitted to the governor, in some cases the commission submits an attorney’s name even though the attorney did not apply.
A letter naming the three nominees is sent to the governor for review. Beshear now has 60 days to appoint a replacement.
Those appointed to the three vacancies will all have to run again next year.
KENNETH HART can be reached at khart@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2654.
Local News
3 nominated for judgeship
Candidates named to fill 21st Judicial District vacancy
- Local News
-
-
Sneak peek at this year's hottest Super Bowl ads
The Super Bowl is a must-watch TV event, if not for the outcome of the biggest football game of the year, then at least for the multi-million dollar commercials that run throughout. And this year’s buzzworthy spots include celebrity appearances, homages to movies and lots of humor.
-
Keeping her finger on the pulse
Jessica Pal sat down at the family computer in the dining room on Jan. 13 and started clicking through data sets.
-
90-plus recommendations, highlighted by staffing, false alarms, overtime for fire department
Financially, “The status quo is just not sustainable,” for the Ashland Fire Department, according to Tim McGrath, a consultant that recently evaluated the department for the city.
-
Rowan teachers picked for NASA flight
Two science teachers at Rowan County High School have earned berths on a high-altitude NASA research flight sometime next year.
-
Helgason’s art, poetry to be shown at The Upstairs Gallery
The figure paintings of Ironton artist Linda Helgason will be displayed at The Upstairs Gallery starting with today’s First Friday art walk.
-
Spring film fest begins
The Spring International Film Festival begins today at the Keith-Albee Theater.
-
Art as therapy
Natural gems, each with its unique look, inspires the work on Amy Litteral, owner of Moxie Jewelry Designs which is headquartered at the Pendleton Art Center.
-
Blazer students' work displayed at 1414 Gallery
When the question was posed, “Why do you do what you do?,” art students at Paul G. Blazer High School had the answer and have shared it in an exhibit that opens on First Friday at The 1414 Gallery at TSHD Architects.
-
Local briefs: 2/3/12
The Housing Authority of Ashland has closed its waiting list for apartments until further notice.
-
Blazer, Russell, West Carter earn district Cup honors
Northeastern Kentucky high schools in three districts had their opening Governor’s Cup tournaments on Saturday, with West Carter, Paul G. Blazer and Russell taking first place.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Killer of Fla. Girl Found in Landfill Gets Life
Army Orders Bradley Manning Court-martial
Cancer Charity Revives Breast-screening Grants
Heavy Snowstorm Hits Colorado On Its Way East
2nd Teacher From LA School Arrested on Sex Claim
Prosecutors Close Armstrong Inquiry, No Charges
Sights and Sounds: Football Fans Pour Into Indy
Unemployment Rate Down to 8.3%
Obama: Still Far Too Many Americans Need Jobs
GOP: Jobs Numbers Welcome, Can Do Better
Fla. Man Adopts Girlfriend in Legal Battle
More Deaths As Egypt Clashes Continue
Raw Video: Prince William in Falklands
Egpyt Protesters Blame Police for Soccer Deaths
'Lucky' 9-Year-Old Receives 6-Organ Transplant
Raw Video: Michelle Vs. Ellen in Pushup Contest
First Person: Will Peyton Manning Stay in Indy?
Egypt Shaken After Deadly Soccer Riot
New Suits, New Starts for New York's Unemployed
Hall of Famer Dorsett Speaks Out on NFL Injuries
