FRANKFORT, Ky., Feb. 4, 2005 -- The Judicial Nominating Commission, led by Chief Justice Joseph E. Lambert, met today at the Scott County Justice Center in Georgetown to choose nominees to replace Circuit Judge Robert B. Overstreet who retired effective Oct. 1, 2004. The vacant circuit judgeship serves the 14th Judicial Circuit, Division I, which is comprised of Bourbon, Scott and Woodford counties. Three attorneys were named as nominees to fill this vacancy: Robert G. Johnson, David Lewis Knox and Leroy Wesley "Lee" Rowland.

Robert G. Johnson
Johnson holds a juris doctor from the University of Kentucky School of Law and a bachelor's degree from Georgetown College. He lives and works in Georgetown where he has a solo practice that concentrates on adoptions, custody, divorce, bankruptcy, criminal cases, real estate, and probate and estates.

David Lewis Knox
Knox resides in Georgetown and practices employment law in the Frankfort office of Greenebaum, Doll and McDonald. He holds a juris doctor from the University of Kentucky School of Law and a bachelor's degree from Georgetown College.

Lee Rowland
Rowland lives and practices in Versailles where he is affiliated with Baldani, Rowland and Richardson. His practice is primarily in the areas of personal injury litigation, criminal defense and mediation. He earned both a law degree and a bachelor's degree from the University of Kentucky.

Judicial Nominating Process
When a judicial vacancy occurs, the executive secretary of the Judicial Nominating Commission publishes a notice of vacancy in the judicial circuit or the judicial district affected. Attorneys can recommend someone or nominate themselves. The names of the applicants are not released. Once nominations occur, the individuals interested in the position return a questionnaire to the Office of Chief Justice. Chief Justice Lambert then meets with the Judicial Nominating Commission to choose three nominees. Because the Kentucky Constitution requires that three names be submitted to the governor, in some cases the commission submits an attorney's name even though the attorney did not apply. A letter naming the three nominees is sent to Gov. Ernie Fletcher for review. When the governor appoints a replacement, his office makes the announcement.

Circuit Court
Circuit Court is the court of general jurisdiction and hears all criminal matters involving more than $4,000. It has jurisdiction over capital offenses and felonies, dissolution of marriage, adoption, termination of parent rights, land disputes and contested probate cases. Kentucky judges, justices and circuit court clerks are supported by the Administrative Office of the Courts, which is the administrative arm of the Kentucky Court of Justice. The AOC provides ongoing training and education to the state’s judges.

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