Hailey attorney Kevin Cassidy, who previously served as a magistrate judge in Gooding County, has thrown his hat into the ring for two district judge openings in south-central Idaho.
Cassidy is one of 10 attorneys seeking the 5th District Court judge position in Gooding County soon to be vacated by Barry Wood, who retires Dec. 31. Cassidy said he has also applied for a Minidoka County 5th District Court post that will be vacated Sept. 30 by Judge John M. Melanson, who was recently appointed to the Idaho Court of Appeals.
"I've been in public service most of my life," said Cassidy, who is employed at the Roark Law Firm. "Being a district judge is something I've always wanted to do."
Cassidy served as a Gooding County magistrate judge for nine years before leaving the post in 2004 to take a job with Roark. Prior to serving as magistrate, Cassidy worked as a special prosecutor in the Criminal Division of the Idaho Attorney General's Office. Before becoming an attorney, he was in training to become a Jesuit Catholic priest.
Although Melanson leaves his post sooner than Wood, the process for hiring a replacement is not as far along for him. Melanson was only recently selected by Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter to replace retiring Appeals Court Justice Darrel R. Perry, while Wood announced his retirement in June.
Applications are being accepted for Melanson's post until Sept. 28 and a list of applicants is not yet available. The Idaho Judicial Council, which processes applications for district court judge positions, recently released a list of the 10 attorneys seeking Wood's job.
Other south-central Idaho attorneys vying for the post are Jonathon Brody, chief deputy prosecuting attorney in Minidoka County; Philip Brown, an attorney in private practice in Gooding County; Dennis Byington, a public defender for Minidoka and Cassia counties; Calvin Campbell, prosecuting attorney for Camas and Gooding counties; and Raymond Goettsch, a senior claims attorney for Liberty Mutual Group in Bellevue.
The Idaho Judicial Council will interview applicants Nov. 17. After that, the council will develop a finalist list for submission to Otter, who will make the appointment.
Terry Smith: tsmith@mtexpress.com
Kevin Cassidy
