ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, November 9, 1996 TAG: 9611110026
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: S.D. HARRINGTON STAFF WRITER
Salem/Roanoke County Circuit Judge G.O. "Tommy" Clemens will retire at the beginning of the year after 17 years on the bench.
Clemens, who turned 60 in the spring, was appointed General District judge in 1979 after practicing law in Salem for more than 15 years. In 1985, he was appointed to fill the seat of deceased Judge F.L. Hoback Sr. on the Circuit Court.
During his law practice, Clemens also served as assistant city attorney in Salem.
Clemens plans to continue teaching law-related courses at Roanoke College, and he said he hopes to be a "regular first-in-line substitute judge."
Clemens, who spends his weeks juggling cases between Salem and Roanoke County circuit courts, says his retirement will give him more time to travel with his wife.
His retirement will be effective Jan.1.
So far, six lower-court judges and lawyers have written to the Roanoke Valley's two bar associations asking to be considered to fill the vacancy.
The Roanoke Bar Association and Salem/Roanoke County Bar Association each make nominations to the General Assembly, which then makes the appointment.
The six who have asked to be considered are: Roanoke General District Judge Vince Lilley; Roanoke Juvenile and Domestic Relations Judge Joseph Bounds; and Roanoke lawyers Jonathan Apgar, Stan Barnhill, Charles Dorsey and Jane Glenn.
Charles Cornelison, president of the Roanoke Bar Association, said the group will meet Dec. 2 to decide on a nominee. Vance Hoback, Salem/Roanoke County Bar Association president, could not be reached.
LENGTH: Short : 39 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: (headshot) Clemens in 1985by CNB