Twenty-one lawyers seeking Lake County judicial post

Twenty-one attorneys have turned in applications for an associate judge vacancy at the in Lake County's 19th Judicial Circuit, court officials said Tuesday.

Of the 21 applicants, five are assistant state's attorneys, 10 are solo practitioners, four are partners at law firms, one serves as counsel for a business and one is a Cook County public defender.

In the coming weeks, the applicants will be interviewed by the circuit judges and evaluated by members of the Lake County Bar Association's Judicial Selection and Retention Committee. The bar association also will conduct a poll of its membership on all candidates' qualifications.

The vacancy was created by the retirement of Associate Judge Michael J. Fusz, which will be effective at the end of the month.