Holcomb appoints 3 judges, creates new vacancy

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb created a new vacancy in Tippecanoe Superior Courts last week when he announced three judicial appointments. 

Tippecanoe Superior Judge Sean Persin has been appointed to succeed Tippecanoe Circuit Judge Thomas Busch, who will retire Dec. 31, 2017. The governor’s office confirmed on Oct. 27 that moving Persin will open a seat in the county’s Superior Court No. 5, which Holcomb will have to fill.

Persin was one of three judicial appointments the governor announced last week. Holcomb also appointed Hamilton Magistrate Judge David Najjar to Hamilton Superior Court Nov. 5 and attorney Jeffrey Clymer to Porter Superior Court No. 2.

Najjar is succeeding Judge Wayne Sturtevant, who retired in August 2017. Prior to becoming a magistrate in 2005, Najjar was a deputy prosecuting attorney in Hamilton County from 1997 to 2005. He holds a law degree from Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law.

Clymer will be filling the seat vacated by Judge William Alexa, who retired Oct. 3, 2017. A solo practitioner, Clymer has handled a wide variety of cases, both civil and criminal, and is an experienced mediator. He is a graduate of Valparaiso Law School and has been an adjunct law professor at his alma mater since 1999.

Persin served as a magistrate judge in Tippecanoe County for three years prior to his election to the Superior Court bench in 2015. While serving as a magistrate and continuing as Superior Judge, he oversaw the county’s alcohol and drug program.

Prior to becoming a judge, Persin was a deputy prosecuting attorney and worked in private practice. He was also an adjunct faculty member at Ivy Tech Community College in Lafayette for nearly 10 years. Persin received his law degree from the University of Wyoming College of Law.