5 apply for judicial post

Five attorneys — two Republicans and three Democrats — have applied for Jackson County’s newest judgeship.

Those applying were Republicans Bruce MacTavish and Stephanie Mellenbruch, both of Seymour, and Democrats Susan Darlage and Joseph M. Robertson of Seymour and Loren Reuter of Nashville.

Gov. Mitch Daniels’ staff is expected to review the applications, with interviews expected to take place sometime in October, Mary Ann Longwith of Daniels’ office said Monday afternoon.

Longwith said she was unsure whether all five applicants would be interviewed.

The appointee will fill the opening created when the Indiana General Assembly established a second superior court. The court must be running Jan. 1, 2008.

The job pays $119,893.80 annually, according to the Indiana Judicial Center.

Whoever the governor appoints, they’ll sit on the bench for three years and face election to a six-year term in 2010.

Republican Bruce MacTavish said Monday he sees the opening as a career opportunity and a chance to serve the community.

The rural Seymour resident practices law with the Brownstown firm of Markel, Markel, Lambring and MacTavish. Jackson Superior Judge Bruce Markel III was appointed to his position on the superior court bench from the same firm. Daniels appointed Markel effective January 2006 to fill retiring Judge Frank Guthrie’s unexpired term. Markel’s position will be on the ballot next year.

Democrat Joseph M. Robertson said he applied because of the opportunity to serve the community.

“After 25 years of legal experience, I think I could do a good job,” he said Monday afternoon. “I also want to continue the legacy of judicial public service begun by my father and I have my own legacy of public service to continue.” He pointed to his 26 years of military service through the Indiana National Guard and 20 years as public defender with Jackson Circuit and Superior courts.

If appointed, Robertson would be the first son to follow a father onto a Jackson County bench. His father, Jonathan Robertson, served as a Jackson Circuit Court judge until his appointment to the state appeals court.

Robertson said he was surprised, though pleasantly, to hear that Darlage and Mellenbruch applied.

“At last word, I wasn’t expecting those two,” he said. “I think Jackson County is ready for a female judge, whether it be Stephanie or Susan. They would make very qualified jurists. I’m glad to see we have women interested in the position.”

Robertson and MacTavish said they would not rule out running for the office when it stands for election in 2010, regardless of whether they are appointed. Robertson added he may run for election next year for the Superior Court seat now held by Markel if he’s not appointed to the new post.

Darlage, who also applied to replace Guthrie when he retired, said she would definitely run for the office if appointed and would not rule out running in 2010 if not appointed.

Darlage said she’s confident that Daniels’ office was correct when it said Democrats were as welcome as Republicans to apply for the position.

“I do know a Democrat that he appointed in Boone County, Becky McClure,” Darlage said. McClure, the Boone Superior II judge, and Darlage were acquainted through the Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council.

Darlage said the challenge of starting the new court is a primary reason for her interest in the position.

“I think it’s a really interesting opportunity to be able to start the court from scratch,” Darlage said. “It’s a good opportunity for the county with its focus on family issues. I think it will take a lot of hard work, whoever gets appointed. The first year’s going to be a huge learning curve.”

She practices with the Lorenzo Law Office in Seymour and is a part-time deputy prosecutor in Jackson County.

Mellenbruch also pointed to the challenges of the new court and its focus on families.

“I care immensely for the families and children in our county, and I think a well-ran and efficient new court could be good for the community,” she said. “I think that’s something I’m capable of doing.

“Usually the reason these people are in front of the court is because they’re going through a very difficult time,” she added. “If we can make the system more efficient and easier, it can make things better on people as they’re going through these difficult times.”

Mellenbruch practices with Montgomery Elsner & Pardieck in Seymour.

Reuter, a former Jackson County deputy prosecutor, shared Darlage’s confidence of Daniels’ history on appointing across the political aisle.

“I have done some checking and found that Gov. Daniels has a history of appointing both Democrats and Republicans, and that led me to decide that he would appoint the best qualified person, whether that’s me or someone else,” Reuter said Monday. “I think this is an opportunity to help people.”

He is in private practice in Brown County. Reuter said he would move to Jackson County and stand for election in 2010 if appointed.