Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, December 6, 1994                   TAG: 9412060093
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: LAURENCE HAMMACK STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

VA. WOMEN ATTORNEYS GIVE 2 TOP ENDORSEMENT FOR JUDGESHIP

Robert P. Doherty of Salem and Edward Natt, who practices in Roanoke County, were found to be "highly qualified and recommended" after interviews with the association's Roanoke judicial screening committee.

A third candidate, Harwell M. Darby of Roanoke, was found to be "qualified."

The three lawyers are seeking to fill a position on the Roanoke County Circuit bench created by the retirement of Kenneth Trabue. Trabue will retire Dec. 30 after 17 years as a circuit judge.

The Roanoke and Roanoke County-Salem bar associations are scheduled to meet Thursday to make their endorsements for the position. A final decision will be made by the General Assembly at its 1995 session.

The Virginia Women Attorneys Association had asked candidates to complete a questionnaire before interviews were conducted Saturday by a five-member panel.

The association's screening is the only process in which judicial candidates are formally interviewed about their qualifications before names are forwarded to local legislators.

Darby, 47, is a native of Roanoke and graduated from Davidson College. He received his law degree from Washington & Lee University. He has practiced with a Roanoke law firm since 1975, and has served as a mediator with the Conflict Resolution Center and chairman of the family law section of the Virginia State Bar.

Doherty, 50, is a native of Alexandria and graduated from the University of Washington. He received his law degree from the University of Richmond and then went to work as an assistant attorney general. He later worked as an assistant commonwealth's attorney in Roanoke County before joining a Salem firm in 1977. Doherty has also served as a substitute judge, a special justice and a commissioner in chancery.

Natt, 49, is a Roanoke native and graduated from the University of North Carolina. He received his law degree from the University of Richmond and then worked as an assistant city attorney for Roanoke. He then served as county attorney for Roanoke County before going into private practice in 1977. Natt has also served as a substitute judge.