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Wednesday, November 07, 2007

Ind. Courts - Gov. Daniels appoints judges in Jackson, Miami, and Monroe counties

In a release issued today:

INDIANAPOLIS (November 7, 2007) - Governor Mitch Daniels announced today the appointment of three judges throughout the state. Two appointments will fill vacancies in new courts recently created by the Indiana General Assembly. These judges will be the first to preside over their respective courts. The third appointment fills a vacancy created by the resignation of an elected judge in Miami County.

Bruce MacTavish of Brownstown has been appointed judge of Jackson Superior Court. He is currently a partner at Markel, Markel, Lambring & MacTavish and has practiced law in Jackson County for 18 years. MacTavish received his undergraduate degree from Indiana University - Bloomington and his law degree from Indiana University - Indianapolis.

Christine Talley Haseman of Bloomington has been appointed judge of Monroe Circuit Court IX. Presently, she is a sole practitioner at Haseman Law Office and regularly serves as a legal advocate for children involved in the court system. She received her undergraduate, master's and law degrees from Indiana University - Bloomington.

An appointment was also made to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of an elected judge in Miami County:

Robert Spahr of Peru has been appointed judge of Miami Circuit Court. He succeeds Judge Rosemary Higgins Burke, who is retiring effective January 1. Spahr is currently a sole practitioner and public defender in the Miami Superior Court. He has previously served as a deputy prosecutor and contract attorney for the Miami County Office of Family and Children. Spahr received his undergraduate degree from Indiana University - Bloomington and his law degree from Indiana University - Indianapolis.

All appointments will be effective January 1, 2008.

Here is more on the Jackson County appointment from the Seymour Tribune:
Governor Mitch Daniels has selected Bruce MacTavish of rural Seymour as the first judge to preside over Jackson Superior Court 2 when it opens for business Jan. 2.

“I’m very happy and appreciate the opportunity to work with the people who serve Jackson County through the courts,” MacTavish said Wednesday afternoon. “I look forward to getting the court up and running.”

MacTavish said he expects to meet next week with Jackson County Board of Commissioners, Jackson Circuit Judge Bill Vance and Jackson Superior Court 1 Judge Bruce Markel III to start working on the logistics of opening the court.

That work will include hiring of staff and figuring out the logistics of handling people going through the court in terms of coexisting with other offices in the courthouse annex. That’s where commissioners have decided to at least temporarily house the court.

MacTavish, a Republican, was selected from among six applicants for the job. The others were Republican Stephanie Mellenbruch of Freetown and Democrats Susan Darlage and Joseph M. Robertson of Seymour, Loren Reuter of Nashville and Joseph Todd Spurgeon of New Albany. Reuter withdrew his application before the interview process started.

MacTavish will have two years on the bench and then face election to a six-year term in 2010. MacTavish has said he stand for election if appointed.

Posted by Marcia Oddi on November 7, 2007 05:16 PM
Posted to Indiana Courts