Attorneys and trial judges interested in applying for the upcoming vacancy on the Second District of the Indiana Court of Appeals must submit applications by April 4, 2007, Chief Justice Randall T. Shepard announced today. The vacancy is occasioned by the August 1, 2007 retirement of Indiana Court of Appeals Judge Patrick Sullivan.

"A position on the Court of Appeals is a uniquely satisfying experience. The court is on the cutting edge of the many legal challenges facing our society. I would encourage any interested attorney or trial judge to apply and to urge others to consider this opportunity," said Chief Justice Shepard.

Chief Justice Shepard chairs the Indiana Judicial Nominating Commission. The 7-member Commission includes three lawyers elected by their peers and three citizen members appointed by the Governor. The Commission will conduct initial public interviews of qualified candidates on April 23 and April 24 in Indianapolis, followed by second interviews on May 11, 2007.

A candidate must have been an Indiana attorney for ten years or a trial judge for five years and must live in one of the 19 central Indiana counties in the second judicial district. The annual salary and allowances for a Court of Appeals judge is $137,968.

The application is available on the judiciary website at www.in.gov/judiciary/notices/vacancy.html. Candidates should contact Meg Babcock, Counsel to the Commission, at (317) 232-4706 or at mbabcock@courts.state.in.us for more information about the process.