The Judicial Nominating Commission, led by Chief Justice of Kentucky John D. Minton Jr., today announced nominees to fill the Circuit Court vacancy for Clark and Madison counties. The counties make up the 25th Judicial Circuit and the vacancy is in the circuit’s 1st Division.

The three nominees for the Circuit Court judgeship are attorneys Brandy Oliver Brown of Berea, Heidi Beth Engel of Winchester and Jeffrey M. Walson of Winchester.

Brown has served as a District Court judge for Clark and Madison counties for nearly 17 years. She received her juris doctor from the University of Kentucky College of Law.

Engel has served as a prosecutor for Clark and Madison counties for 20 years. She received her juris doctor from Northern Kentucky University’s Salmon P. Chase College of Law.

Walson is of counsel with the firm of Rowady Hendricks Law. He served as a Family Court judge for Clark and Madison counties from 2003-2016 and was a District Court judge for the counties from 1993-2003. He received his juris doctor from the University of Kentucky College of Law.

The judicial seat became vacant when Judge William G. Clouse Jr. retired Feb. 16.