YOUNGSTOWN Four local attorneys finalists for judgeship

The panel has until Nov. 1 to reduce the list.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Four Youngstown-based attorneys with bankruptcy court experience are among the finalists to replace retiring Judge William T. Bodoh, who has presided over the U.S. Bankruptcy Court here since 1985.
Thirty-two people applied for the position, which pays $142,324 annually and carries a 14-year term. A merit selection panel, which consists of attorneys from the Northern District of Ohio, reviewed the written applications and cut the list to about 11 finalists.
On the list
The four local attorneys are:
UMark A. Beatrice of Manchester, Bennett, Powers and Ullman law firm. Beatrice has been with the firm since 1981, with a concentration in the areas of bankruptcy law, construction law and pensions.
UDavid A. Detec of the Manchester firm, which he joined in 2000. He has experience in federal issues such as anti-trust and securities, and he drafts contracts covering business formations and corporate succession plans, handles business relationship disputes, and has assisted in the purchase and sale of businesses.
UFredrick S. Coombs III of Harrington, Hoppe and Mitchell law firm, which he joined in 1975. Coombs' areas of expertise include creditors' rights, commercial, surety, First Amendment and communications law. Coombs was among the five finalists in 1985 when Judge Bodoh was selected.
UTimothy M. Reardon of Nadler, Nadler and Burdman law firm. Reardon was co-counsel for Phar-Mor during the company's Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings last year.
They received letters Saturday informing them of their status. The names of the finalists aren't made public until the final three are chosen, but Coombs confirmed he and the three others are finalists.
Coombs said the four happened to be in bankruptcy court on business Monday, two days after getting the letters. Beatrice declined to comment, and Detec and Reardon couldn't be reached.
The person selected only has to reside in the Northern District, which includes 40 counties in the state's upper half, and cities such as Youngstown, Akron, Toledo, Cleveland and Canton.
Further interviews
The merit selection panel is expected to interview those who made the first cut and further reduce the number of finalists to about five. The panel has until Nov. 1 to file a report with the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals' judicial council with the names of the finalists.
The judicial council's executive committee will review the recommendations and reduce the number of finalists to three. The names will be given to the full judicial council. The court of appeals will select Bodoh's successor.
The entire process could take up to a year from Aug. 1, a court of appeals spokeswoman has said.
Judge Bodoh is retiring Jan. 2. Bankruptcy judges from other courts in the Northern District will fill in until a new judge is named.