Judge Knierim’s professional background will be a tremendous
asset as he forges this consensus. As a lawyer with the
firms of Cummings & Lockwood and Drew, Mersereau & Knierim,
he specialized in the areas of estate planning and probate.
Judge Knierim gained a thorough knowledge of the legislative
process and the art of compromise as a state representative
from 1991 - 1997 and as an assistant minority leader from
1995 - 1997. Finally, I have to mention that Judge Knierim
served as a law clerk to Chief Justice Ellen A. Peters from
1989 to 1990. I know that Justice Peters valued his work
because she is here at the ceremony today. Justice Peters,
would you please rise to be recognized? All of these
experiences make Judge Knierim the ideal choice to lead the
probate courts during this difficult time in its long
history.
I would be remiss if I did not at this point thank Judge
James Lawlor for all the work he has done. His achievements
include: the implementation of the nationally-recognized
regional children’s courts, improving the training for
probate judges and staff, and enhancements in technology. As
important, Judge Lawlor recognized the challenges that face
the probate courts and set in motion the dialogue that will
be necessary to meet these challenges.
I don’t think anyone would disagree that the probate
courts are indeed facing difficult challenges. By 2010, the
probate court system will be bankrupt if the issues are not
squarely faced. In addressing this financial crisis, we must
remember that everyone’s overarching goal should be to
continue what our probate courts do best -- that is to
provide the best services possible to those individuals
going through the most difficult personal trials that an
individual might face.
The history of our probate system is a history of
compassion meted out by neighborhood courts that care for
the people in the community. To keep doing this, the
financial crisis must be addressed and that will mean
change.
I have no doubt that Judge Knierim, with your assistance,
will change what needs to be changed and will preserve those
positive qualities that are the hallmark of our probate
courts. This will not be a painless process, I am sure. But,
I have confidence in the ability of both Judge Knierim and
all of our other committed probate court judges to bring
about the changes that are necessary.
|
