Lebanon attorney appointed to bench

Missouri Gov. Bob Holden has appointed Laclede County attorney Christine H. Hutson the new associate circuit judge for Laclede County, according to a news release from the Hutson Law Firm LLC.

Hutson's judgeship is a new position, created by Missouri statute as a result of Laclede County's population increase to more than 30,000 residents, according to the 2000 Census.

The position is permanent, and it provides the county with two associate judges to handle legal matters.

Hutson is a graduate of Drury University. She earned her law degree in 1991 from the Washburn University Law School in Topeka, Kan., and served as Laclede County's public defender from 1991 to 1994.

During her legal career, Hutson worked for five law firms, most recently at the Hutson firm with her husband, Eric, and father-in-law Don.

"I have worked my entire legal career toward this end having the opportunity to be a public servant has been my highest goal. For me, this is truly the realization of a childhood dream," Hutson said. "It is especially rewarding to be appointed as the first-ever person to hold this position. The governor has placed me in a position of great trust. I will do everything in my power to be a good steward as the holder of this office," she added.

(This item originally appeared in the Aug. 15, 2001, issue of the SBJ Daily Update.)