Two Juneau attorneys in bid for U.S. District court judge

Juneau attorneys Leslie Longenbaugh and Mark Handley are among the 19 candidates from around the state who have submitted their names for consideration for appointment to the seat currently held by U.S. District Court Judge John W. Sedwick of Anchorage, who is moving to senior status on March 13, 2011.

Appointed by President George H. W. Bush in 1992, Sedwick handles both federal civil and criminal issues with two other district judges in Anchorage.

U.S. Senators Mark Begich and Lisa Murkowski are working with the Alaska Bar Association to accept applications and conduct a poll of Alaska lawyers, which will rate the candidates.

Begich and Murkowski will use the results of that poll and their own research to develop a list of recommended candidates to send to the White House.