First Judicial District Circuit Court Vacancy

Wyoming Supreme Court Chief Justice E. James Burke, who acts as Chairman of the Judicial Nominating Commission, announced today that First Judicial District Circuit Court Judge Roberta A. Coates will be retiring from the court, effective December 12, 2014.

Judge Coates was appointed to the Laramie County Court by Governor David Freudenthal and took the bench on October 4, 2004. Prior to her appointment to the bench, Judge Coates worked in many government positions including the Laramie County Attorney’s Office, the Laramie County District Attorney’s Office, and the Board of Equalization. Prior to her work in county and state government, Judge Coates was in private practice and served as General Counsel and Vice President for Taco John’s International.

The Judicial Nominating Commission will accept expressions of interest from qualified persons to fill the vacancy through August 25, 2014. Copies of the expression of interest form can be obtained from the Clerk of Court at 307-777-7316, the Chief Justice at 307-777-7557, both at 2301 Capitol Avenue, Cheyenne, Wyoming 82002, or on the Supreme Court’s website. The completed form must be received in the office of the Chief Justice no later than 5:00 p.m., on August 25, 2014.

Rule 6, Rules of the Judicial Nominating Commission of the State of Wyoming, provides as follows:

The commission shall not limit its consideration to persons who have been suggested by others or to persons who have indicated their willingness to serve. It shall be in order for the commission to tender nomination to one or more qualified persons, prior to and subject to the formal action by the commission in making nominations, in order to ascertain whether such a person will agree to serve if nominated.

Governor Matthew H. Mead will appoint the Circuit Court, First Judicial District Court Judge (Laramie County) from a list of three names submitted to him by the Judicial Nominating Commission. Serving on the Judicial Nominating Commission are Chief Justice Burke, three lawyers elected by the Wyoming State Bar: Jeremy D. Michaels of Gillette, Bruce A. Salzburg of Cheyenne, and P. Craig Silva of Casper; and three non-lawyers appointed by the governor: Shelly Larson of Lusk, Gina Monk of Gillette, and Janine Thompson of Cheyenne.

TO SERVE AS A CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE, ONE MUST BE A QUALIFIED ELECTOR OF THE STATE, AND AUTHORIZED TO PRACTICE LAW IN WYOMING.

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