Fairfield judge appointed Eighth District chief

Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Susan Christensen has appointed District Judge Myron Gookin of Fairfield as chief judge of the state’s Eighth Judicial District, according to a Tuesday news release.

“Judge Gookin has served the people of the Eighth Judicial District for more than a decade and was a well-respected lawyer for 28 years prior to being appointed to the bench,” Christensen said. “I love that his entire legal career has been in the community where he was born and raised. He is vested in Fairfield, Jefferson County and the Eighth Judicial District where he has shown his commitment to the ideals of fairness, equality, and justice.”

Gookin graciously accepted the appointment.

“I am very honored and thankful to be selected,” Gookin said. “I look forward to the challenge and will work hard to be a positive force in the important work of the Eighth Judicial District. We have terrific people working diligently every day in our district and I am excited to help and lead them.”

While he will continue to preside over cases, the appointment gives Gookin a number of new responsibilities in the 14-county district of Southeast Iowa. Chief among them are setting the times and places to hold court, designating presiding judges and serving on the judicial council that advises the state’s supreme court on administrative matters, according to the news release.

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com