On October 22, the Lake County Judicial Nominating Commission will conduct interviews of the applicants to fill a January 1 vacancy on the Lake Superior Court that will occur when Judge Clarence Murray retires.

The following 10 applicants will be interviewed in the hearing room of the Lake County Board of Commissioners, Third Floor of Building A, Lake County Government Center, 2293 N. Main Street, Crown Point, IN 46307. All Commission proceedings, including deliberations, are open to the public.

October 22

8:30 a.m. – Organizational Meeting
8:40 a.m. – Magistrate Samantha Wuletich – Lake Circuit Court
9:00 a.m. – Rehana Adat-Lopez
9:20 a.m. – Judge Pro Tem Jamise Perkins – Lake Superior Court
9:40 a.m. – Break
10:00 a.m. – Nicole Bennett
10:20 a.m. – Magistrate Timothy Ormes – Lake Superior Court
10:40 a.m. – Magistrate Natalie Bokota – Lake Superior Court
11:00 a.m. – Magistrate Jeffrey Miller I – Lake Superior Court
11:20 a.m. – Break
11:40 p.m. – Daniel Burke
12:00 p.m. – Judge Inga Lewis-Shannon – Gary City Court
12:20 p.m. – Ilisha Dowell
12:40 p.m. – Lunch
1:30 p.m. – Deliberations begin until three nominees selected

There is limited seating with appropriate social distancing measures in place. The press and public are asked to follow these guidelines:

Refrain from activities that might distract from the interview process Questioning of the applicants is reserved for the Commission Enter and exit the room only between interviews Set up audio/video recording equipment before or in between interviews (no mult box provided) Artificial lighting shall not be used Media/public may interview the applicants before/after Commission’s interview outside the hearing room at the applicant’s discretionThe Commission will accept public comment on the qualifications of any of the applicants. Comments must be submitted electronically to [email protected] no later than noon (Central time) on October 5. Any submissions must include the sender's name, e-mail address, and a phone number to permit follow-up inquiries.

More information about the vacancy and the Commission can be found online. Note, one of the applicants is married to a member of the Lake County Judicial Nominating Commission; that member will not participate in any activities to fill this vacancy.

Under state law, the Commission is required to nominate three candidates for appointment to the Lake Superior Court when a vacancy arises. The final appointment will be made by Governor Eric Holcomb.