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KETCHIKAN - Alaska's upcoming vacancy on the state Supreme Court has drawn 25 applicants, including 10 Superior Court judges.

Justice Robert L. Eastaugh, 65, is retiring in November. He was appointed in 1994.

At least 13 applicants have experience on the bench.

They include Ketchikan Superior Court Judge Trevor N. Stephens, 49, who was appointed in 2000 after working at the Ketchikan district attorney.

Others applicants on the Superior Court bench include Ben Esch of Nome, 64; Michael I. Jeffery of Barrow, 64; Michael A. McDonald of Fairbanks, 52; Anchorage judges Mark Rindner, 59, Craig Stowers, 54, John Suddock, 60, Philip R. Volland, 58, and William F. Morse, 55; and Palmer Superior Court Judge Eric Smith, 56.

Palmer District Court Judge John W. Wolfe applied, as did two administrative law judges: Terry L. Thurbon, 51, of Juneau, and David A. Lawrence, 59, of Anchorage.

Seven applicants are private practice attorneys from Anchorage: Richard H. Foley Jr., 55; David S. Case, 64; Kevin G. Clarkson, 50; Michael Jungreis, 57; Frank A. Pfiffner, 60; Phyllis Shepherd, 60; and Spencer C. Sneed, 57.

The other applicants include Fairbanks private practice attorneys Paul Englin, 60, and Michael P. McConahy, 57; Alaska Legal Services attorney Andy Harrington, 53, of Fairbanks; Susan M. Carney, 47, assistant public advocate in Fairbanks; and Daniel Westerburg, a Homer attorney.

The Alaska Judicial Council will interview applicants and recommend at least two nominees to send to Gov. Sarah Palin. She will have 45 days to make an appointment from the list.