Press release: Marion interview schedule

For Immediate Release | November 30, 2023 | Updated December 14, 2023

Note: Candidates Valerie Harvey, Patricia McCrory, and John Lowrey have withdrawn their applications from consideration. The press release below has been updated to reflect scheduling changes, and the original release is available at the bottom of this page.

Marion County judicial applicant interviews December 15 and 18

On December 15 and 18, the Marion County Judicial Selection Committee will conduct interviews of 21 applicants for two Marion County trial court judicial positions: one in the Family Division and one in the Criminal Division. The interviews will be held in the Supreme Court Conference Room (State House 319) at 200 W. Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204. Interviews are open to the public. The schedule is as follows:

Friday, December 15 (all times listed below are Eastern)
9:00 a.m.-9:20 a.m. – Executive Session to consider applications
9:20 a.m.-9:40 a.m. – Daniel Tomson
9:40 a.m.-10:00 a.m. – Magistrate James Snyder
Break
10:15 a.m.-10:35 a.m. – Andrew Blaiklock
10:35 a.m.-10:55 a.m. – David Ziemba
10:55 a.m.-11:15 a.m. – Karen Rominger
Break
11:30 a.m.-11:50 a.m. – Magistrate Marie Kern
11:50 a.m.-12:10 p.m. – Gregory Bowes
12:10 p.m.-12:30 p.m. – Linda Major
12:30 p.m.-1:40 p.m. – Lunch and Executive Session to consider applications
1:40 p.m.-2:00 p.m. – Pamela Grant-Taylor
2:00 p.m.-2:20 p.m. – Magistrate Terrance Tharpe
2:20 p.m.-2:40 p.m. – Kathleen Meek
Break
2:55 p.m.-3:15 p.m. – Magistrate Ian Stewart
3:15 p.m.-3:35 p.m. – Magistrate Katharine “Katie” Melnick
3:35 p.m.-3:55 p.m. – Jacob Rigney
3:55 p.m. – Executive Session to consider applications

Monday, December 18 (all times listed below are Eastern)
8:30 a.m.-9:00 a.m. – Executive Session to consider applications
9:00 a.m.-9:20 a.m. – Amanda Wishin
9:20 a.m.-9:40 a.m. – Linda Klain
9:40 a.m.-10:00 a.m. – Magistrate Tara Melton
Break
10:15 a.m.-10:35 a.m. – Magistrate Pauline “Polly” Beeson
10:35 a.m.-10:55 a.m. – Katherine Zuran
10:55 a.m.-11:15 a.m. – Eleanor Finnell
11:15 a.m.-11:35 a.m. – Emily Borchert
11:35 a.m. – Lunch and Executive Session to consider applications, followed by public vote to select nominees

Members of the audience are asked to refrain from activities that might distract from the interview process. The following guidelines are in place:

• Only enter and exit between interviews
• Recording equipment will be set up between interviews (no mult box provided)
• Artificial lighting shall not be used
• Questioning of the applicants is reserved for the Committee
• Media/public may interview the applicants before/after the Committee’s interview outside the interview room at the applicant’s discretion

After all interviews have concluded, the Committee will deliberate in a private executive session to consider applications. The Committee considers applicants' legal education, writings, reputation in the practice of law, and other pertinent information. The executive sessions on December 15 and 18 are authorized under IC 33-33-49-13.1(q) and IC 5-14.1-1.5. The Committee vote is held publicly following deliberations.

According to Indiana law, the Committee is required to submit to the Governor “the three most qualified candidates” for appointment when a vacancy arises. Details on the Committee, including membership, are online.

Contact

Kathryn Dolan, Chief Public Information Officer 
317-234-4722
kathryn.dolan@courts.in.gov