Local attorneys are up in arms over the upcoming appointment of a judge for the 9th Judicial District to preside over General District Court cases in Gloucester, Mathews, Middlesex and New Kent counties.

In what several of the local attorneys have termed a politically-motivated maneuver, the General Assembly Courts of Justice Committees that oversee judicial appointments for the state legislature initially turned down Gloucester attorney Michael Soberick’s request for an interview for the position.

The seat is expected to become available when District Court Judge Jeffrey W. Shaw moves into the Circuit Court judgeship vacated when Judge R. Bruce Long retired in December. Shaw is the only candidate currently being considered for the Circuit Court position.

Shaw was scheduled to be interviewed yesterday in Richmond for the Circuit Court position. Interviews were also scheduled yesterday for Shaw’s possible replacement in the lower court.

Soberick had been recommended for ...