By Deb McKee
The new Vigo County Superior Court Division 6 presents a unique opportunity for judicial candidates Michael Lewis and R. Steven Johnson.
Whichever Democratic candidate is chosen in the primary will face James Walker in the general election to determine who will preside over a court still in its infancy.
The new court was established through legislation in the Indiana General Assembly last year and began processing cases in January. Walker (R) was appointed by Mitch Daniels to preside as the first judge of Division 6.
Walker is uncontested in the primary.
Johnson said the opportunity to run for a new position is part of his reason for seeking election.
“No judge has been there for years and years. It’s wide open, and a unique opportunity to be a first-time candidate,” he said.
Both Democratic candidates for judge of the new Vigo County Superior Court Division 6 believe they possess the best type of experience for the job.
Lewis and Johnson both were born and raised in Terre Haute, both have served as deputy prosecutors in Vigo County and both have practiced law in a private setting. There, the similarities end.
Lewis has been an attorney for 13 years while Johnson has practiced for 34. Lewis was a public defender for two years, a position Johnson never held.
Lewis comes from a long line of attorneys. Johnson was the first in his family to attend law school.
Lewis is the son of Jordan Lewis, a federal magistrate judge and Terre Haute attorney who retired in 1997. For three years Lewis practiced insurance defense with his father. His grandfather was Jerdie Lewis, an attorney for many years in Terre Haute.
Lewis also practiced with his sister, Libby Lewis, after their father retired. He has experience in civil litigation, personal injury, family law and criminal law.
“I liked doing the criminal law side of it, and that’s what this new court is,” he said. “That’s what we primarily do here in city court.”
Lewis was appointed judge of Terre Haute City Court by former Gov. Frank O’Bannon in 2003, replacing David Bolk. He remained unchallenged in the November 2003 election.
Before his appointment, Lewis spent two years as a deputy prosecutor in City Court in 2001-2002 and two years as a public defender, from 1999-2001.
Lewis believes his breadth of experience sets him apart from Johnson.
“I heard over 7,000 cases last year alone,” he said. “This is the busiest court in the county, with a very large docket. I’ve managed a court office already. I think I have the broadest range of experience, having done civil and criminal all in the past ten years.
“I think I have the experience to be the judge in that court, just to be fair and impartial to every party that comes into that court,” he said. “I’m ready for this next challenge.”
Johnson, 60, also was born and raised in Terre Haute. His father, Anthony Johnson, was a commercial artist for Thomson Symon Co. Inc. as well as a member of the United States Steelworkers Union. His mother, Catherine L. Johnson, was a Vigo County school teacher from the 1950s through the 1980s.
Johnson was admitted to practice law in Indiana in 1972. He was also admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana. He has served as counsel in 13 published Indiana and federal appellate opinions and several unpublished opinions.
Johnson served as a deputy prosecutor in Vigo County from 1972 to 1973; Terre Haute assistant city attorney in 1973; and Terre Haute Sanitary District assistant counsel from 1973 to 1978.
He practices law in the areas of civil litigation, personal injury, insurance law, arbitration and medical malpractice. He is a partner at the Sacopulos, Johnson and Sacopulos Law Firm and also is a certified mediator.
Johnson has received the highest possible rating from the Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rating on Legal Ability and General Ethical Standards. According to the Web site, the rating “shows that a lawyer has reached the height of professional excellence. He or she has usually practiced law for many years, and is recognized for the highest levels of skill and integrity.”
Johnson believes his experience sets him apart from his opponent.
“I’ve had a lot more jury trial experience,” he said. “Those trials in city court aren’t jury trials. I’m very familiar with the rules of evidence.
“I think most lawyers understand that being judge is a step up, you’re elected, you have the confidence of the community and the bar to preside over cases. I know I’m qualified to do the job,” he said.
Johnson said the most pressing issue for the new court is a heavy docket.
“If you go down [to the courthouse] right now, the civil cases sit for three years,” he said. “There is tremendous pressure and overcrowding. On civil cases, I am in favor of more pre-trials, where the lawyers go back and talk to the judge, set a schedule, get instructions and contentions and take care of witness lists and exhibit lists. I’ve had a good feel for which civil cases are more likely to settle and it’s my belief you set those first. Put those that are never going to settle toward the end so you can move things along more quickly.
“I also feel very confident working with the judges that are there in the other courts. I think that means a lot.”
The position of judge for the new court has a six-year term and the salary is about $115,000.
Deb McKee can be contacted at (812) 231-4254 or deb.mckee@tribstar.com.
Meet the candidates
Michael J. Lewis
Age: 41
Party: Democrat
Education: 1982 graduate of Terre Haute South Vigo High School; received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Indiana State University in painting and drawing; earned his law degree in 1993 from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Michigan.
Work History: Before graduation from high school, Lewis delivered newspapers for the Tribune-Star. Lewis also has been a waiter. After law school, Lewis practiced law with his father and later, his sister. He was a public defender in Vigo County from 1999 to 2001, then served for two years as a deputy prosecutor in City Court. Lewis was appointed to City Court judge in 2003 where he has served since.
Community Involvement: Lewis is on the paralegal advisory board of St. Mary-of-the-Woods, past board member of the Red Cross and he attends Cross Lane Community Church. Family: Lewis is raising two daughters, Kirsten, 10, and Samantha, 8.
Why running: Lewis believes he has the judicial experience to handle a large docket and to be fair and impartial to every party.
R. Steven Johnson
Age: 60
Party: Democrat
Education: Johnson is a 1963 graduate of Schulte High School. He earned his Bachelor of Science/Pre-law from ISU in 1967. Johnson attended the Indiana University School of Law from 1967 to 1969 before being drafted into the United States Army. He was on active duty until 1971, then returned to finish his law degree. Johnson remained in the Army Reserve from 1971-1975 and was honorably discharged.
Work History: Johnson’s work history includes mowing grass at Highland Lawn Cemetery and operating machinery at Stran Steel before serving as deputy prosecutor in Vigo County from 1972-1973. He was Terre Haute assistant city attorney in 1973 and Terre Haute Sanitary District assistant counsel from 1973 to 1978. He has practiced law with the Cox, Zwerner, Gambill & Sullivan firm, the Sacopulos Crawford firm and now is a partner at Sacopulos, Johnson & Sacopulos.
Community Involvement: Johnson is an Eagle Scout, a member of the Terre Haute Bar Association and a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Terre Haute. Family: Johnson is married to Connie L. Mallory Johnson, a counselor at Chauncey Rose Middle School. He has three grown children from his first marriage and three step-children.
Why running: Johnson said he has the experience to move cases along more quickly to ease jail overcrowding. He said his length of years as an attorney and the fact that he has the esteem and confidence of his peers make him a stronger candidate.
