TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) -- Twelve Topeka-area attorneys have applied for a vacant Shawnee County District Court position created by the announced retirement of a longtime district judge.

A local nominating commission plans to interview the candidates Sept. 5 and forward the names of two or three finalists to Gov. Sam Brownback, who will make the appointment.

District Judge Daniel Mitchell has announced that he's retiring at the end of the month. He's been a judge since October 1985, handling juvenile cases.

The attorneys applying for the judgeship are Athena Andaya, James Benfer, Brett Berry, Lee Davidson, Jason Geier, Kimberly Knoll, Joe Little, Derenda Mitchell, Mary Mattivi, Fred Patton, Duston Slinkard and Ardith Smith-Woertz.

The seven-member nominating commission's non-voting chairwoman is Kansas Supreme Court Justice Marla Luckert.