Circuit judge sets retirement

Tenth Circuit Judge Alex Macaulay has set his retirement date at the end of next year. On January 31, the long-time jurist reaches 72 years old–the state’s mandatory retirement age for judges. But he has taken the option to work through 2014. Nevertheless, Macaulay’s retirement plans start in motion a process to fill his seat. According to Jane Shuler, chief counsel for the South Carolina Merit Selection Commission, the commission could screen potential candidates next spring. Already bandied about are the names of a couple of Oconee lawyers likely interested. The 10th Circuit Judge Seat #2 is perceived as a seat reserved for an Oconeean, though a legal source has shown 96.3/WGOG NEWS a South Carolina law that provides two circuit judgeships for Oconee and Anderson, but does not  designate a resident judge for each. Which raises the thought that if a strong candidate fails to emerge from Oconee, an attorney from Anderson could mount a run—and win. The selection will come down to a vote by both chambers of the South Carolina Legislature. Macaulay and Anderson’s  Lawton McIntosh are the current judges in the 10th Circuit. A third judge, Cordell Maddox of Anderson, serves in an at-large capacity.