Warren Circuit Court Judge Tom Lewis, who made drug court the centerpiece of his work on the bench, is stepping down. The prosecutor who disagreed with him on the drug-court philosophy may be taking his place. Both defense and prosecuting attorneys praise Lewis for his work on the bench, where he has sat since 1990.He had a real good temperament for being a judge, said Bowling Green Attorney Dan Rudloff. I hate that hes leaving. He was one of those rare animals that could make you laugh at something that was very serious or very sad. You very rarely saw him irritated. Commonwealths Attorney Steve Wilson, who will file to be considered as Lewis replacement, praised him despite their disagreements over the effectiveness and need for the drug court that Lewis emphasized so much. He is probably the most understanding man that I have ever met, Wilson said this morning. His temperament has always been consistent. He is always supportive. Should Wilson get the appointment, it would be a natural progression in two careers that have mirrored each other. Wilson was appointed an assistant county attorney when Lewis was named a district judge in the early 1980s.I learned how to prosecute under him and he learned to judge over me, said Wilson, a Democrat who was named prosecutor by former Gov. Wallace Wilkinson in 1990, about the same time Lewis became a Warren Circuit Court judge. Gov. Patton will choose Lewis replacement. Three names will be submitted by a judicial nominating committee that includes Chief Justice Joseph Lambert, two attorneys and four citizens, two from each party. Lewis replacement would serve until January 2006. Judges serve eight-year terms. A quick appointment is expected as Warren Family Court Judge Margaret Huddleston is being treated for a relapse of cancer. The judge is out of the office for an extended period of time, said Jonathan Weber, Huddlestons clerk. Judge Brent Potter is expected to help out with those cases. In a Daily News report in September, Lewis and Wilson expressed disagreement over Warren County Drug Court and the purposes of halfway houses. Lewis is known for punishing drug dealers but working hard to rehabilitate first-time users. It illuminates one of the few disagreements weve had in over 20 years, Wilson said. It was a philosophical difference of opinion and not one of character or wisdom. Longtime Assistant Commonwealths Attorney Mike Pearsons and Warren County Assistant County Attorney Amy Millikens names have been circulating as possible replacements for Wilson if he is named judge. Timing and details of Lewis official date of stepping down are being worked out with Lamberts office right now.