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01/23/08 Marshall County Circuit Court Judge Michael Cook notified Governor Mitch Daniels on December 31st of 2007 of his intention to resign his position effective at midnight on February 29th.
After more than 29 years on the bench, Judge Cook will take some time to make maple syrup and work on the reconstruction of his home following the tornado this fall that damaged the home and took down 19 trees on his property.
Although stepping away from the bench he still plans on being involved in the legal system. Cook said he plans on sending letters on March 1st to selected law firms in northern Indiana offering his services as a mediator. Judge Cook said in a phone interview Tuesday afternoon that with the Rules for Alternative Dispute Resolution bringing some uniformity into dispute resolution with the view that the interests of the parties can be preserved in settings other than the traditional judicial dispute resolution method he feels his expertise can serve those parties involved in legal battles.
Michael Cook will turn 57 this year. He said with nearly 30 years as a judge, the time is now for a change. Cook said, I just want to quietly fade into the sunset without any big deal.
Judge Cook graduated from law school in May of 1978, passed the bar exam in June or 78 and was appointed to the bench by Governor Doc. Bowen on July 10th, 1978 to replace Eric Smithburn who went to teach at Norte Dame. In 1998 Cook ran on the republican ticket to fill the vacancy left when Judge Huff resigned from his seat as Circuit Court Judge of Marshall County.
He said during the interview Tuesday that he never considered even being in the Court Room. His original plans after graduating was to become a practicing lawyer. When they opportunity presented itself for the judges position he felt like a new door was opening.
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