Congratulations are in order for Mower County’s newest judges.

Kevin Siefken and Jeffrey Kritzer were sworn in as our area’s newest legal officials this month as senior judges Fred Wellmann and Donald Rysavy have retired from the bench. Siefken is set to begin his tenure Monday after he shadowed several judges in the Third Judicial District, while Kritzer will oversee cases starting July 7.

We are pleased to see such a smooth transition between judges and we are happy to have such respected attorneys step into a new role. Siefken and Kritzer have both had long records as fair, intelligent attorneys. Kritzer in particular has made his mark in the area as an experienced lawyer in many legal areas, as well as a volunteer in several organizations. Siefken got his start in Mower County and has since made a favorable impression in Freeborn County as a magnificent attorney and an active member in that community.

It’s a good thing to have such experienced legal experts overseeing our court system, which is quite active and at times overburdened. We are glad Siefken and Kritzer are the newest members of the Third Judicial District and we look forward to many years of service from both of them.