Judge Michael KirkJudge Michael Kirk, a veteran district court judge in Moorhead, has been named to the Minnesota Court of Appeals.
He replaces Judge Roger Klaphake, who turns 70 this summer, reaching the mandatory retirement age for state judges.
Gov. Mark Dayton, who made the appointment, said:
“Judge Kirk has an outstanding record of public service, as seen through his 23 years of service on the bench in the Seventh Judicial District. His passion for justice, and his years of experience will make him an excellent Appellate Judge in the Seventh Congressional District.”
Kirk was first appointed judge in 1989 by Gov. Rudy Perpich, and has served as assistant chief judge and chief judge in the 7th District.
He’d been appointed to the Criminal Justice Forum, was chair of the Courts’ Finance Committee and served on committees that looked for ways to make the court system more efficient in light of the state budget shortfalls.
