LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County Superior Court bench welcomed its newest member on Monday.
Judge Michael Lunas took his oath of office and then took his place on the bench during an afternoon ceremony in the Department 1 courtroom at the Lake County Courthouse in Lakeport.
Lunas was elected in November to succeed retiring Judge David Herrick.
It was Herrick who would administer to Lunas his oath of office during the ceremony, which ran just under 45 minutes before a packed courtroom gallery.
Presiding Judge Stephen Hedstrom led the ceremony, flanked by Herrick, Judge Richard Martin, Judge Andrew Blum and Superior Court Commissioner Vincent Lechowick, and joined by retired judges Arthur Mann and Richard Freeborn.
“We’ve got quite a bit of judicial experience here,” Hedstrom said before introducing all of the judges.
Hedstrom welcomed Lunas and his family, and told him, “Judge Herrick is a tough act to follow.”
However, Hedstrom went on to tell Lunas that he had the necessary intellect, character and disposition to succeed as a judge, noting that Lunas would be an “outstanding addition” to the superior court bench.
Then, Hedstrom turned the tables a bit on the new judge. “Do you realize what you’ve done?” he asked of the prospect of taking on such a huge responsibility in the community.
“The people are entrusting you with their property, their children, their lifestyles and their very freedoms,” Hedstrom said, adding that Lunas would find being a judge the most challenging job he will ever have.
He told Lunas, once a successful powerlifter, that his ability to bench press would serve him well.
“Some days it will feel like you’re carrying the weight of the world as you agonize over the decisions you will soon be making on a daily basis,” said Hedstrom. “It is no small responsibility, issuing orders and judgments that directly impact a person’s life.”
Hedstrom added that he would be working harder than he ever has before. “Your brain will be fried,” as he applied the complicated laws of sentencing guidelines to very real cases.
“You’re going to scare him off,” Blum interjected.
“I’m not through,” Hedstrom said, to a round of laughter from the gallery.
Hedstrom guaranteed Lunas that he and his wife’s hearts would skip a beat when the phone rang at 2 a.m. for him to sign a restraining order.
Despite the awesomeness of the responsibility Lunas was undertaking, Hedstrom told him he wouldn’t have to shoulder it alone, and that he would have the support of his fellow judges.
“We are always here for each other,” said Hedstrom, who also acknowledged an “incredibly overworked and underpaid” court staff that gives the judges excellent support on a daily basis. “They cover our backs,” he said of court staff.
“If I scared you earlier I am only half sorry,” said Hedstrom.
He said there is no greater satisfaction than the work of a judge. “It is the hardest job you will ever love. Welcome to the bench.”
Blum presented Lunas with a framed copy of a saying from Justice Learned Hand, which is traditionally passed on to the newest judge on the local bench. It had been written in calligraphy by the late Gail Golden, wife of Judge John Golden, who began the tradition by giving it to Judge Robert Crone.
Hand, a 19th century judge, wrote of both the joys and challenges of being a judge. “Trust me, there are many of each,” Blum said.
The passage notes that, “A judge’s life, like every other, has in it much of drudgery, senseless bickerings, stupid obstinacies, captious pettyfogging, all disguising and obstructing the only sane purpose which can justify the whole endeavor. These take an inordinate part of his time; they harass and befog the unhappy wretch, and at times almost drive him from that bench where like any other workman he must do his work.”
However, there is something else which makes the work of a judge “a delectable calling,” Hand wrote.
“For when the case is all in, and the turmoil stops, and after he is left alone, things begin to take form. From his pen or in his head, slowly or swiftly as his capacities admit, out of the murk the pattern emerges, his pattern, the expression of what he has seen and what he has therefore made, the impress of his self upon the not-self, upon the hitherto formless material of which he was once but a part and over which he has now become the master. That is a pleasure which nobody who has felt it will be likely to underrate.”
Blum, who had received the framed saying following his July 2010 oath ceremony, said he was glad to pass it to Lunas for two reasons – first, it would mean he was no longer the rookie, and second, he has found the saying helpful and believed Lunas would, too.
He told Lunas there would be days when he was dragging and asking why he’s doing the job. “This will help explain why you’re doing this job.”
Freeborn told Lunas to always remember that service to humanity is the best work. He advised Lunas to learn to work quickly but not to rush, to take time for himself and his family, and to remember that for a judge to completely separate himself from the community is not wise.
Mann told Lunas that, in many ways, he was envious of him, beginning his career as a judge. He called it the most rewarding career he could ever imagine.
“You’ll find new challenges every day,” Mann said. “The rewards far outweigh the detriments.”
Each of the sitting judges wished Lunas good luck and congratulations.
Martin said he had been impressed with Lunas during his appearances in court, noting he was prepared and informed.
“What I’m more impressed with is attitude,” said Martin, explaining that since the election Lunas has been showing up to judge’s meetings to learn about his job, and that he was cooperative, eager and ready to go to work ahead of being sworn in.
“I think you will enjoy the job,” said Martin.
Blum said Lunas joins “a small but very busy court” that, based on its statistics, should have six rather than the four judges it has.
Lunas will handle a wide variety of cases, which is how local judges work, said Blum, adding that Lunas will get thrown into the deep end.
“Well, Mike, it’s time,” said Herrick. “Seems like yesterday, but 18 years ago I sat where you are.”
Herrick said Lunas probably was filled with anticipation, was awestruck and wondering how to live up to the work of the others on the bench. He said he knew Lunas had worked hard for what he had gotten.
“This job is the most rewarding thing that you can possibly do,” said Herrick.
While Lunas had a distinguished legal career, “What you can do from this bench is far superior to that,” said Herrick.
“So, if you’re ready, enough speeches,” said Herrick, calling Lunas forward and administering his oath of office.
Herrick afterward congratulated Lunas, who received a standing ovation.
As part of the local court’s tradition, Lunas’ wife, Diana, came forward to help him put on his judicial robe. She was joined by their daughter Haleigh, with the two women carefully fitting him with his new work attire before each gave him a hug and a kiss. His other children then came forward to congratulate him.
Lunas then took the bench as his fellow judges looked on.
“I am just really humbled and overwhelmed by this occasion,” said Lunas, who admitted that he hadn’t been so nervous before entering a courtroom in 30 years.
“We are and have been blessed with really great judges in Lake County,” said Lunas. “I’ve learned so much from all of you gentlemen.”
Lunas praised Herrick, noting it seemed like just yesterday since Herrick had taken the bench. “I don’t know where the last 18 years have gone.”
Lunas said that if he can do the job of judge half as well as Herrick, he will be satisfied.
He said he was looking forward to joining the team of judges.
“The only promise I am going to make is I will do my utmost,” and work every day to be the best judge he can be, said Lunas.
Lunas remarked on the challenge of running for office in 2012, which was compounded by a fire that damaged his law office in downtown Lakeport in September.
The outpouring of community support after the fire was amazing, Lunas said. “This community is really something.”
He said he and his family were very proud to be part of the community, and he thanked his family for their patience.
To Diana, his wife of 25 years, Lunas offered the biggest thanks for her countless contributions.
“I love you more than anything. Thank you for all you've done for me,” he said. “I wouldn't be here without you. I wouldn't be who I am without you.”
With that, Lunas welcomed everyone to join him in a reception downtown.
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