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HAMILTON — Former Republican West Chester Twp. Judge Robert Hendrickson and Democratic candidate Laura Curliss, the administrative assistant to the Wilmington mayor, are vying in November for a seat on the 12th District Court of Appeals.

Hendrickson, 49, bested Marry McElwee, a Clinton County Magistrate in the March primary. Curliss, 46, was unopposed.

The Middletown-based court hears appeals from lower courts in Butler, Warren, Preble, Clermont, Clinton, Madison, Fayette and Brown counties.

Hendrickson is a lifelong resident of Butler County, graduating from Lemon Monroe High School. He graduated from the University of Cincinnati and received his law degree from Capital University Law School. He served as Butler County Area III Judge from 1997 to until August when he resigned from the post.

Curliss is a native of Wilmington and a graduate of Blanchester High School, University of Notre Dame, Yale Divinity School and received her law degree from Notre Dame Law School in 1993. In her current duties, Curliss is responsible for assisting the mayor in the administration of the city.

Curliss also has served as an assistant prosecutor in St. Joseph County, Ind., and Clinton County as well as serving as a law clerk to a U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

"I think I am the right person for the job and the right time," Curliss said. "I have a broad background in criminal law and local government."

In addition to his time on the Area III Court bench, Hendrickson also served as a magistrate in Hamilton Municipal Court, acting prosecutor in Middletown and Hamilton, a warrant officer and acting judge in several courts.

Hendrickson said his experience handling thousands of cases in the busy Area III Court where the population is booming, makes him the right candidate for appeals court.

"I feel I have the necessary qualifications. I have 23 years of experience and 11 years sitting on the bench," Hendrickson said. "I have seen it from all sides and handed a variety of cases."

If elected, Hendrickson said he would like to see the appeals court travel to other counties to hear cases.

"Our goal should also be to educate the public so they can have a better understanding of the judicial system," Hendrickson said.

Hendrickson and Curliss are seeking to replace Judge James Walsh, who is retiring from the 12th District Court of Appeals this year because of age restrictions.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2168 or lpack@coxohio.com.