Calls went out Tuesday afternoon to three local attorneys selected to fill openings on Akron Municipal Court.

The winners were Akron lawyer Orlando Williams, former Akron school board President Linda Kersker and city of Akron attorney Stephen Fallis.

The three Democrats were notified in phone calls by representatives of Gov. Ted Strickland. Each must run for election in November to keep the seats.

Fourteen attorneys applied for the openings, which were created after the November 2008 elections.

Williams takes over for Judge Eve Belfance, who won election to the 9th Ohio District Court of Appeals. If elected, Williams would serve four years before facing another vote.

Williams, who operates a general practice law office in Akron, proved a formidable judicial candidate when he gave Common Pleas Judge Brenda Burnham Unruh a strong challenge in November.