Five lawyers have applied to the governor’s office for appointment to fill the upcoming vacancy of a Rock County judge’s seat. The governor’s office says the applicants to replace Judge Alan Bates in Branch 2 are: Derrick Grubb of Beloit, president and attorney at Grubb Law Firm. Thomas Kolpien of Beloit, family court commissioner for Rock County. Jack Melvin of Oconomowoc, gaming administrator in the state Department of Administration and judge advocate in the Wisconsin National Guard. Jennifer Nash of Beloit, a self-employed attorney in Janesville. Richard Sullivan of Walworth, an assistant district attorney in Rock County. Bates is retiring. His last day on the job will be Aug. 24. Governor Scott Walker is expected to appoint someone to replace Bates. The appointee would be up for election in April 2019.