Brian Berger has been sworn in as Berrien County’s newest judge. On Friday, Berger took the oath at the courthouse, becoming a judge who will preside over juvenile, divorce, and probate cases. Berger thanked his family, and everyone who’s helped him. He said he thinks it’s a good thing when attorneys are appointed to a judgeship.
“I think it adds something to the bench as a whole,” Berger said. “I think it’s important for the community, and for the bar as a whole to recognize that, sometimes, just lawyers can take a step forward and serve the community in another way.”
Berger, a Saint Joseph attorney, was appointed by Governor Rick Snyder to fill a vacancy on the bench created with the retirement of Judge Thomas Nelson. Berger’s appointment is through the end of this year, and then he’ll have to seek election. If he is elected, he’ll have to run again in 2018 to hold the post for a full six year term. He has 32 years in the legal profession.
