Eight apply for First Circuit circuit judge opening

CHARLESTON – Eight attorneys have submitted their names for the opening in the Circuit Judge opening in the state's northern Panhandle.

The vacancy for the job -- which covers Brooke, Hancock and Ohio counties -- was created by the retirement of The Honorable Arthur Recht.

The eight who submitted their names to the state Judicial Vacancy Advisory Commission are:

* William Cipriani, a Wellsburg attorney and Brooke County assistant prosecuting attorney;

* William E. Galloway, a Weirton attorney;

* Betsy Steinfeld Jividen, a first assistant U.S. Attorney in the Northern District;

* Brendan S. Leary, an assistant federal public defender in Wheeling;

* Thomas C. McCarthy Jr., a judge on the West Virginia Court of Claims;

* David J. Sims, a Wheeling attorney and current Ohio County Commissioner;

* William F. Sinclair, a family court judge in the First Family Circuit; and

* Scott R. Smith, Ohio County prosecuting attorney.

The deadline for their submittal of letters of recommendation is March 15. Interviews are scheduled for April 11, according to JVAC Chairwoman Debra Scudiere, a Morgantown attorney.

Scudiere also said the interviews for the Circuit Judge opening in Putnam County are being rescheduled. They were scheduled for March 5, but had to be moved. The new interview date has not been set yet.