District Judge John Brooks Retiring August 4, 2017

New York Yankee Judge retires!  No, we’re not referring to the Yankee homer-hitting phenom Aaron Judge—who’ll almost assuredly be this year’s American League Rookie of the Year—but to avid New York Yankee fan, Judge John Brooks.  The Honorable John C. Brooks is hanging up his cleats, so to speak, after a distinguished 16 year stretch on the district court bench.

Governor Jim Geringer selected Brooks in 2001 to fill the vacant district judgeship in Douglas when Justice Barton Voigt joined the Supreme Court.  Geringer cited Brooks’ work ethic, integrity, and 20 years of experience in civil, criminal and administrative law as assurance that cases brought into Judge Brooks’ court would be presented fairly and resolved promptly.  Bob McKee, a retired court reporter for the Eighth Judicial District, commented, “All that experience made even the most demanding litigation more pleasant for all involved—parties, lawyers, jurors (and court reporters).”  Prior to Brooks’ appointment, he was a partner in the Casper law firm law of Vlastos, Brooks, Henley & Drell.  For 15 of those years, he also served as a part-time U.S. magistrate judge.  McKee remarked that “Judge Brooks was an outstanding district judge because he was such a fine trial lawyer.  He’d logged a lot of years in the courtroom before he ever climbed onto the bench.”

The quip from Yankee Hall of Famer Yogi Berra, “It’s déjà vu all over again,” might also apply to Judge Brooks’ upcoming retirement.  He is the last in a group of three district judges to retire within two months of each other; a combined total of 44 years of judicial experience that will definitely be missed.  We extend our sincere appreciation to Judge Brooks for his service to the judiciary and the citizens of Converse County, and we wish him and his family the very best in the years ahead—and maybe a trip or two to Yankee Stadium.

Governor Matt Mead appointed Scott Peasley to fill the vacancy in the Eighth Judicial District.  Mr. Peasley is currently in private practice in Douglas and also serves as a part-time deputy with the Converse County Attorney’s Office.