Two 4th Circuit judges made the list of finalists to fill a vacancy on the 1st District Court of Appeal.
Judges Kevin Blazs and Waddell A. Wallace III are among the six names sent to Gov. Rick Scott, who will appoint a replacement for retiring Judge William Van Nortwick.
The Judicial Nomination Commission interviewed 25 applicants. In addition to Blazs and Wallace, the finalists are:
• 1st Circuit Judge Gary Bergosh
• 1st Circuit Judge Ross L. Bilbrey
• 2nd Circuit Judge James C. Hankinson
• Susan L. Kelsey, the sole attorney of Kelsey Appellate Law Firm in Tallahassee, which is in the 2nd Circuit.
Van Nortwick, 69, will be joining the Jacksonville office of Akerman, where he will lead the firm’s national pro bono program and be part of the appellate practice division.
Judge Cox among 17 who apply to replace Mathis
The 4th Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission received applications from 17 candidates to replace Circuit Judge E. McRae Mathis, who is retiring Dec. 31.
The applicants are:
• Garrett Noble Barket
• Brian J. Cabrey
• County Judge Angela M. Cox
• Katie L. Dearing
• Steven M. Fahlgren
• Angela D. Mathews Gale
• Ashley Wells Greene
• John I. Guy
• Joanna G. Houser
• Michael T. King
• J. Demere Mason
• Margaret Dianne Misiak
• Stacey L. Myers
• Mark A. Sieron
• A. Russell Smith
• Gary L. Wilkinson
• Cyrus P. Zomorodian
The public can send comments about the candidates to Chip Bachara, chair, 4th Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission, One Independent Drive, Suite 1800, Jacksonville, FL 32202. Deadline is Dec. 3.