FAYETTEVILLE — Brian Lester, a Fayetteville lawyer, has announced his intent to run for an open circuit court judgeship serving Washington and Madison counties.

Lester, 33, is running for the Circuit Judge Division 1 seat in the 4th Judicial District.

“The people of Washington and Madison counties deserve to have a confident judge who will follow and uphold the law and who will act with integrity in all cases,” Lester said. “I want people to know that when they come into my courtroom they will be treated with respect and fairness.”

Lester has practiced law for about seven years and has his own practice, the Lester Law Firm, in Fayetteville.

Lester has represented clients in Washington and Madison counties in a variety of legal proceedings with a primary focus on family law and juvenile proceedings.

Lester said as a judge he will continue to work to protect children and families while bringing compassion and energy to the courtroom.

“I like judges that are easy to approach,” Lester said. “A good judge is one that is able to listen well to all the evidence, they’re able to apply the law to the facts presented and make a competent, swift decision. It’s my hope that, if elected, I can be that judge.”

Lester is running against Doug Martin for the Division 1 seat, currently held by Judge William Storey.

“I feel like the voters should have a choice,” Lester said. “I think the voters need a judge who’s confident and well-versed in the law. I hope to bring that to the bench.”

Storey is stepping down at the end of 2014 and is running for Fayetteville District Judge. Martin is serving as judge in Division 2, a seat vacated whenKim Smith retired in January. Martin could not seek the Division 2 seat because he was appointed to the position.

Prosecutor John Threet is running for the Division 2 judge’s seat. Matt Durrett, Threet’s deputy, is running for prosecutor.