o Previously: District Court Judge Rich Melnick was named as Superior Court judge, leaving his position open for appointment.
o What’s new: The Clark County Board of Commissioners has decided on three finalists to be interviewed for his position.
o What’s next: Commissioners are expected to name a new judge early next month.
The search for a new Clark County District Court judge has been narrowed to three finalists: a court commissioner and two Vancouver attorneys in private practice.
o Previously: District Court Judge Rich Melnick was named as Superior Court judge, leaving his position open for appointment.
o What's new: The Clark County Board of Commissioners has decided on three finalists to be interviewed for his position.
o What's next: Commissioners are expected to name a new judge early next month.
The Clark County Board of Commissioners is expected to name a successor early next month for Rich Melnick, who took the place of retiring Superior Court Judge Robert Harris in January.
Clark County District Court Commissioner Kelli Osler and attorneys Jim Sellers and Craig Kennedy will be interviewed.
A panel including the commissioners, two retired District Court judges, the county administrator and a member of the Clark County Bar Association will conduct the interviews.
The bar association is in the process of conducting a preference poll of the finalists.
The backgrounds of the candidates vary widely. Osler, who was appointed in 2005 to be District Court commissioner, presides over traffic and small-claims matters, in addition to substituting for District Court judges. She previously worked for the Clark County Prosecutor’s Office for 13 years, including five years in the major crimes unit.
Jim Sellers practices real estate and land-use law in Clark County, according to a public listing.
A listing for attorney Craig Kennedy says he specializes in criminal defense, immigration law and administrative law.
In 2004, Kennedy was among two attorneys who unsuccessfully ran against Melnick for the judicial seat.
Melnick moved to the Superior Court bench in February. Since then, District Court judges have been sharing his former caseload.
His successor, who will handle misdemeanor criminal cases and small-claims civil cases, will have to run in the November election if they are interested in keeping the post.
Laura McVicker: 360-735-4516 or laura.mcvicker@columbian.com.
