By Patrick Crowley
The Cincinnati Enquirer

FLORENCE - The contest to replace Judge Jay Bamberger on the Boone Circuit bench has apparently dwindled down to two.

Florence lawyer Robert Neace, the son of the late Boone Circuit Judge Sam Neace, has taken his name out of consideration for the gubernatorial appointment to the seat, according to the other lawyers seeking the appointment.

Neace could not be reached to comment Wednesday.

But Tony Frohlich, the Boone County master commissioner and a veteran lawyer, and lawyer Ed Drennen, also an experienced attorney, said Neace has informed them in writing that he will not seek Bamberger's seat.

Bamberger retired Jan. 5 but will serve until his replacement is named.

While other lawyers practicing in Boone and Gallatin counties, the areas served by the judicial seat, can apply for the Gov. Ernie Fletcher's appointment, it appears that Drennen and Frohlich are the only ones pursuing the seat.

"If anyone else is out there," Frohlich said Wednesday, "I haven't heard of them."

Lawyers have until March 4 to apply for the appointment, according to the Kentucky Administrative Office of the Courts.

Fletcher is expected to make his appointment by the end of March.

The appointee will serve only until November, when he must run for the remainder of Bamberger's term that runs through 2006.

Drennen and Frohlich have each indicated if they don't get the appointment they will run against the appointee in the November election.

Both candidates say they will play up their experience in both the appointment process as well as the election.

Drennen, 54, has been practicing law for 27 years.

He is a veteran trial and civil lawyer who is one of the few lawyers in Northern Kentucky to ever have argued a case before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Drennen has also worked as an assistant commonwealth attorney, ran the public defender system and has practiced across the state in local and federal courts.

"When you look at experience, I have to say I have the experience to do the job," Drennen said.

His community and civic involvement includes past and present positions with the Northern Kentucky Bar Association, the Boone County Business Association, the Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission and the Florence Methodist Church.

"I can't say a bad thing about Tony," Drennen said. "I'm sure we'll go both at this the best we can."

Frohlich, 49, said he has had a long and varied career in the legal community that started in 1980.

In addition to his private practice, he has also was an assistant commonwealth attorney, a domestic relations commissioner and a child support collection attorney in Boone and Gallatin counties.

Frohlich has also worked in the public defender system.

"You have to run on your experience when you're running for judge," Frohlich said. "And that's what I'm going to do."

Frohlich said he has also been involved on various board and commissions and coached youth sports for more than 23 years.

E-mail pcrowley@enquirer.com