5 candidates seek master-in-equity post

BY HERB FRAZIER
Of The Post and Courier Staff

     Four lawyers and a magistrate are candidates for the Charleston County master-in-equity, a position expected to become vacant next year when Judge Roger Young moves up to the circuit court.
     The candidates are Mount Pleasant attorney John J. Dodds III, Charleston attorneys Mikell Scarborough and Christie Companion Varnado, Assistant Solicitor Michael Dupree and Magistrate James Turner.
     They all submitted applications to the Judicial Merit Selection Commission several days before Monday's deadline, an agency spokesman said.
     Two local committees, one made up of lawyers and the other consisting of citizens, will review the applications and report on the candidates to the commission.
     The commission will recommend three of the candidates to the Charleston County Legislative Delegation.
     Rep. Chip Limehouse, the delegation's chairman, said local lawmakers could accept more than three names from the commission. The delegation, he said, plans to recommend one candidate to the governor by the first of the year.
     The master-in-equity, who serves a six-year term, oversees property disputes.
     Young has two years remaining on his term.
     Earlier this year, Young was elected to the circuit court to replace retiring Judge Victor Rawl, who has said he plans to leave office between January and June 2003.
     Limehouse said the delegation wants Young's replacement to work with him so that "Judge Young can train him or her for a smooth transition for the citizens and lawyers who use the master's court for real estate matters."