Gov. Matt Bevin Appoints Judge Fred A. Stine's Replacement

Daniel J. Zalla, a Fort Thomas attorney, has been appointed by executive order of Governor Matt Bevin to serve the 17th Judicial Circuit in Campbell County. The appointment comes after former judge, Fred A. Stine, retired on August 4.

RELATED: Judge Fred "Fritz" Stine Set to Retire 

Campbell Co. Court. FTM file. 

Zalla has owned his law practice and mediation service and served as an appointed Kenton County Circuit Court judge from August 2006-January 2007. He received his juris doctor from Northern Kentucky University’s Salmon P. Chase College of Law.

"My predecessor, Judge Stine was an excellent Circuit Court judge," said Zalla. "I will strive everyday to follow his fair and impartial administration of justice. That's my pledge to the citizens of Campbell County."

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Previously, the Judicial Nominating Commission named three candidates who were considered by Governor Matt Bevin. Local attorneys, Joe Grimme, Jeffrey Sanders and Zalla were the three candidates chosen among six applicants.

The appointment will finish out Stine's term which ends in December 2018.


If more than two candidates file to run for the seat, a primary race will take place before the general election to follow in November 2018.

When a judicial vacancy occurs, a notice of vacancy is sent in the judicial circuit or the judicial district affected. Once nominations occur, the individuals interested in the position return a questionnaire to the Office of the Chief Justice, John Minton, who then meets with the local Judicial Nominating Commission to choose three nominees.

The commission has seven members. The membership is comprised of the chief justice of Kentucky (who also serves as chair), two lawyers elected by all the lawyers in their circuit/district and four Kentucky citizens who are appointed by the governor. The four citizens appointed by the governor must equally represent the two major political parties, so two must be Democrats and two must be Republicans.

Locally, Fort Thomas attorney, Tim Schneider, was the attorney recently nominated by his peers to serve on the committee, along with Fort Thomas attorney, David Bender.

The citizen members of the committee are Barbara Weber, Deborah Peluso, Jim Schack and Ken Moellman Sr.

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Most recently in March of 2016, the commission recommended the appointment of then Campbell County Chief Assistant Courty Attorney, Cameron Blau, to serve the 17th Judicial District in Campbell County. That appointment came after former judge, Gregory T. Popovich, resigned during the middle of his term.

Blau was chosen over retired attorney, Bob Monfort, and attorney and former City of Newport Commissioner, John Hayden.

Blau went on to defeat four other candidates in the November election to retain the seat. Fort Thomas attorney, Joe Grimme, came up 756 votes shy in his first bid at public office. Abby Voelker, Hayden and Andrea Janovic rounded out the rest of the ballot.

PHOTO: Dan Zalla, FTM file.