THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, January 28, 1997 TAG: 9701280215
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ANGELITA PLEMMER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH LENGTH: 38 lines
The Portsmouth Bar Association announced its unanimous support for Circuit Court Judge Johnny Morrison as a candidate for a federal judgeship in Norfolk.
Morrison was one of two candidates considered for endorsement by the 165-member group during an association meeting Monday afternoon. The other candidate, Magistrate Judge Tommy E. Miller of U.S. District Court in Norfolk, did not receive an endorsement.
The federal seat is open because Judge Robert G. Doumar, a fixture at the federal courthouse since 1981, has taken senior status, a form of semi-retirement. It means Doumar can set his work schedule, hearing as many - or as few - cases as he wants. He plans to keep a full workload.
Last week, the Norfolk and Portsmouth Bar Association, which has 1,200 members, endorsed three candidates - Miller, Judge Jerome B. Friedman of Virginia Beach Circuit Court, and Norfolk lawyer Conrad M. Shumadine - as ``highly qualified'' and two candidates - Judge Alan E. Rosenblatt of Virginia Beach Circuit Court and Norfolk lawyer Larry W. Shelton - as ``qualified,'' but did not endorse Morrison.
In each city, the local bar association nominates and endorses candidates. The associations then make their recommendations to Sen. Charles Robb, who will make his recommendations to President Clinton. That is expected to happen in late January or early February.
The last judge appointed to Norfolk's federal court was Raymond A. Jackson in December 1993.
The Portsmouth Association also endorsed Judge Richard S. Bray, a member of the Virginia Court of Appeals, for a vacancy on the state's supreme court.
Bray is a former Portsmouth Circuit Court judge. ILLUSTRATION: Photos
Circuit Court Judge Johnny Morrison received unanimous support.
KEYWORDS: JUDGESHIPS PORTSMOUTH BAR ASSOCIATION