For Immediate Release | September 10, 2026
Applications available for vacancies on Lake Superior Court
The Lake County Judicial Nominating Commission is beginning the process of selecting two new superior court judges. Judge Natalie Bokota and Judge Sheila Moss are both retiring effective December 31, 2026, creating two vacancies on the Lake Superior Court.
Justice Mark Massa, Committee Chairperson, announced applications for the vacancies are available online and must be submitted through the Indiana Courts Portal by Thursday, October 8 at 12:00 p.m. (Central).
To be eligible for nomination as a judge on the Lake Superior Court, a person must be: (1) domiciled in Lake County; (2) a citizen of the United States; and (3) admitted to the practice of law in Indiana. The qualifications the Commission must consider are found at Indiana Code § 33-33-45-35.
Lake Superior Court Chief Judge Julie Cantrell offered any sitting judge the opportunity to transfer courts. That transfer period has closed. The vacancies will be in Lake Superior Civil Division Room 5 in Hammond and Lake Superior County Division Room 4 in Hammond.
The Lake County Judicial Nominating Commission will meet on Friday, October 23 to interview applicants for the vacancies. Details on the public interviews will be posted online. After the conclusion of interviews, the Commission will publicly vote to select two panels of five nominees to send to Governor Mike Braun for appointment. Details on the Committee, including membership, are online.
Contact
Adam Clay
adam.clay@courts.in.gov
317-233-3018
