BEDFORD – Former Lawrence County Judge William Sleva has been officially recertified to serve as an Indiana Senior Judge for the calendar year 2026, following an order filed by the Indiana Supreme Court in October.
Former Lawrence Superior Court II Judge William Sleva retired at the end of 2020, after 32 years. He swore in his successor, Judge Robert Cline, as the incoming judge of Lawrence Superior Court II.
Judge Sleva received one of the state’s highest honors when he was named Sagamore of the Wabash by Gov. Eric J. Holcomb in December 2020. Governor Holcomb bestowed the Sagamore on Sleva for his dedication, public service, and wise counsel. The Sagamore is among the highest honors the governor of Indiana bestows. It is a personal tribute usually given to those who have rendered a distinguished service to the state or to the governor.
The recertification comes from the Indiana Judicial Nominating Commission, which examined his request along with those of numerous other judicial officers, including:
- Kenneth Abbott
- Robert Aylsworth
- John Baker
- Michael Bergerson
- George Brown
- Monte Brown
- Sheila Corcoran
- Terry Crone
- Wendy Davis
- Darrin Dolehanty
- Roger Duvall
- Nancy Gettinger
- Sherry Gregg Gilmore
- Robert Hall
- Barbara Harcourt
- James Humphrey
- Michael Lewis
- Peggy Lohorn
- Max Ludy
- John Marnocha
- Daniel Molter
- Edward Najam
- Susan Orth
- Margret Robb
- Karen Springer
- Carl Taul
The Commission concluded that Sleva and the other judicial officers “meet the criteria for appointment as Senior Judges under IC 33-27-4-1.
The certification officially qualifies Sleva for appointment as a Senior Judge under IC 33-23-3-2. His appointment is effective from January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026.
The order was signed by Chief Justice of Indiana Loretta H. Rush, who also serves as the Chair of the Indiana Judicial Nominating Commission.
