Press release: Marion County interviews (2301)

For Immediate Release | April 21, 2023 | Updated May 10, 2023

Note: Candidate Gregory Bowes is unavailable to be interviewed during the scheduled time but is still being considered; Meagan Dial-McDonough has withdrawn her application from consideration. The press release below has been updated to reflect scheduling changes, and the original release is available at the bottom of this page.

Marion County judicial applicant interviews May 11 and 12

On May 11 and 12, the Marion County Judicial Selection Committee will conduct 20 interviews of 21 applicants for two Marion County trial court judicial positions in the Family Division. The interviews will be held in the Supreme Court Conference Room (State House 319) at 200 W. Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204. Interviews are open to the public. The schedule is as follows:

Thursday, May 11 (all times listed below are Eastern)
8:30 a.m.-9:00 a.m. – Executive Session to consider applications
9:00 a.m.-9:20 a.m. – Magistrate Kelly Scanlan
9:20 a.m.-9:40 a.m. – Magistrate Marie Kern
Break
9:55 a.m.-10:15 a.m. – Magistrate Katie Melnick
10:15 a.m.-10:35 a.m. – Magistrate Stefanie Crawford
10:35 a.m.-10:55 a.m. – Magistrate James Snyder
Break
11:10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. – Pamela Grant-Taylor
11:30 a.m.-11:50 a.m. – Linda Major
11:50 a.m.-12:10 p.m. – Bryan Stoffel
Lunch and Executive Session to consider applications
1:30 p.m.-1:50 p.m. – Magistrate Joel Schneider
1:50 p.m.-2:10 p.m. – Magistrate Melanie Kendrick
2:10 p.m.-2:30 p.m. – Magistrate Diane Cowger
Break
2:45 p.m.-3:05 p.m. – Valerie Johnson
3:05 p.m.-3:25 p.m. – Kenneth Riggins
3:25 p.m. – Executive Session to consider applications

Friday, May 12 (all times listed below are Eastern)
8:30 a.m.-9:00 a.m. – Executive Session to consider applications
9:00 a.m.-9:20 a.m. – Valerie Harvey
9:20 a.m.-9:40 a.m. – Magistrate Eleanor Finnell
Break
9:55 a.m.-10:15 a.m. – Magistrate Ian Stewart
10:15 a.m.-10:35 a.m. – Magistrate Tara Melton
10:35 a.m.-10:55 a.m. – Daniel Tomson
Break
11:10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. – Magistrate Pauline Beeson
11:30 a.m.-11:50 a.m. – Philip Sheward
Lunch and Deliberations in Executive Session to consider applications, followed by public vote to select nominees

Members of the audience are asked to refrain from activities that might distract from the interview process. The following guidelines are in place:

• Only enter and exit between interviews
• Recording equipment will be set up between interviews (no mult box provided)
• Artificial lighting shall not be used
• Questioning of the applicants is reserved for the Committee
• Media/public may interview the applicants before/after the Committee’s interview outside the interview room at the applicant’s discretion

After all interviews have concluded, the Committee will deliberate in a private executive session to consider applications. The Committee considers applicants' legal education, writings, reputation in the practice of law, and other pertinent information. The executive sessions on May 11 and 12 are authorized under IC 33-33-49-13.1(q) and IC 5-14.1-1.5. The Committee vote is held publicly following deliberations.

According to Indiana law, the Committee is required to submit to the Governor “the three most qualified candidates” for appointment when a vacancy arises. Details on the Committee, including membership, are online.

Contact

Kathryn Dolan, Chief Public Information Officer 
317-234-4722
kathryn.dolan@courts.in.gov