SAINT PAUL — An area judge was honored by the Minnesota District Judges Association for his service.

Judge Robert Birnbaum of the 3rd Judicial District, which covers Mower County, and 2nd Judicial District Chief Judge Kathleen Gearin have been honored by the MDJA.

Birnbaum, MDJA’s representative for the 3rd Judicial District and Chair of the Pension and Benefits Committee, was honored for his “service to the judiciary.” Gearin was honored for her “service to the community.”

The awards recognize the efforts of judges who have provided outstanding service inside and outside the judicial system, and were presented at the association’s annual meeting on Sept. 8. Judge Gearin is chambered in St. Paul and Judge Birnbaum is chambered in Rochester.

The nominator of Birnbaum noted that he has been actively involved in the MDJA since joining the bench in 1998, including serving on the association’s newsletter, website and educational program committees. He has served as a faculty member for the Minnesota Judicial College and as the Third Judicial District’s lead judge for the Children’s Justice Initiative.