The Virginian-Pilot 
                             THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Saturday, February 4, 1995             TAG: 9502040305
SECTION: LOCAL                    PAGE: B6   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: BY MARC DAVIS, STAFF WRITER 
                                             LENGTH: Medium:   54 lines

NORFOLK'S JUDGE TAYLOR EYED FOR APPEALS COURT SHE IS AMONG 12 BEING CONSIDERED, AND THE ONLY ONE FROM S. HAMPTON ROADS.

Norfolk Circuit Judge Lydia C. Taylor is one of 12 candidates to fill a vacancy on the Virginia Court of Appeals, and the only candidate from South Hampton Roads.

Two other candidates - Newport News Circuit Judge Robert P. Frank and Hampton Commonwealth's Attorney Christopher W. Hutton - are from the Peninsula.

The appeals court vacancy arose last month when Judge Bernard G. Barrow announced his retirement. Barrow, formerly of Virginia Beach, was one of the court's original appointees in 1985. He moved to Charlottesville in 1990.

The General Assembly will appoint Barrow's replacement later this month. Top lawmakers are reportedly split in their preferences, mainly along geographic lines.

Norfolk's legislators, including House Speaker Thomas Moss and Senate President Pro Tempore Stanley Walker, reportedly back Taylor. Senate Majority Leader Hunter Andrews reportedly backs Frank. House Majority Leader Richard Cranwell reportedly favors Circuit Judge Roy B. Willett of Roanoke.

Last week, the Virginia Association of Commonwealth's Attorneys endorsed its own president, Hutton, for the appeals court job.

Five other state legal groups will endorse candidates for the appeals court job and a vacancy on the Virginia Supreme Court.

Twelve candidates have applied to the State Bar for the appeals court job. In addition to Taylor, Frank, Hutton and Willett, they are:

Circuit Judge Rosemarie Annunziata of Fairfax County.

Circuit Judge James W. Haley Jr. of Fredericksburg.

Circuit Judge William D. Hamblen of Woodbridge.

Circuit Judge William S. Robertson of Leesburg.

Circuit Judge Jay T. Swett of Charlottesville.

Juvenile Court Judge Eugene E. Lohman of Marion.

Assistant Attorney General John H. McLees of Richmond.

Attorney James J. Vergara Jr. of Hopewell.

Also, nine candidates - including three Court of Appeals judges - have applied to the State Bar for the Virginia Supreme Court vacancy. Only one, Williamsburg Circuit Judge William L. Person Jr., is from Hampton Roads.

The other candidates are Court of Appeals Judges Lawrence L. Koontz Jr., Larry G. Elder and J.M.H. Willis Jr.; Circuit Judges Rudolph Bumgardner III, Thomas D. Horne and Haley; and lawyers John H. Foote and James P. Jones. ILLUSTRATION: Lydia C. Taylor

KEYWORDS: JUDGESHIPS by CNB