Bibbs, Felix And Forkner Named Court Of Appeals Vacancy Nominees

By Whitney Downard, Indiana Capital Chronicle

April 25, 2023

The Indiana Judicial Nominating Commission named three finalists for the upcoming vacancy on the Court of Appeals on Tuesday: Stephanie Bibbs, Hon. Paul Felix and Justin Forkner.

Chief Justice Loretta Rush will submit a report to Gov. Eric Holcomb in the coming days on behalf of the commission and Holcomb will make the final decision within 60 days.

The commission started interviews for nine applicants on April 24, ultimately naming Bibbs, Felix and Forkner as finalists.

Bibbs, a former public defender in Anderson, previously worked in the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office and is now the deputy director of litigation for the Office of Judicial and Attorney Regulation. Felix, following two years as a judge in Carmel, became a Circuit Court Judge in Hamilton County in 2009. Forkner spent eight years on active duty with the U.S. Army and then served in the Indiana Army National Guard. He now works as a chief administrative officer with the Indiana Supreme Court.

Forkner was a finalist for the most recent Indiana Supreme Court vacancy.

In the course of their deliberations, the commission considered the legal education, writings and reputation in the practice of law among other factors.

The Fifth District vacancy on the Court of Appeals will occur when Judge Margret Robb retires. Robb represents a portion of central Indiana, limiting the geographical location of applicants.

Robb, appointed in July 1998 by Gov. Frank O’Bannon, was the first woman elected Chief Judge in the 110-year history of the Court of Appeals.

The seven-member commission handles nominations for vacant positions as well as complaints against judges throughout the state – including last year’s vacancy in the Second District created by the appointment of Judge Derek R. Molter to the Indiana Supreme Court.

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