Starting Jan. 1, 2017, Mark Herman, of Niles will start a six-year term as Cass County’s next Circuit Court Judge following the retirement of Judge Michael Dodge, of Edwardsburg.
Before Herman was sworn in Tuesday afternoon by Judge Susan Dobrich at Cass County Circuit Court, 60296 M-62 he said he could not wait to thank the family, friends and colleagues that had stood by his side, especially during the much contested election in November, leading to a narrow victory against Scott Teter, of Cassopolis.
Herman pulled ahead in the race by 2 percent after receiving 8,625 to Teter’s 8,483, a difference of 142 votes, according to unofficial results on the Cass County Clerk/Register Office.
Tuesday was another victory, as Herman and those who knew him recalled those that had helped him along the way.
John Magyar who employed Herman as a private attorney for Dowagiac’s Magyar Law Office said Herman was the type of attorney to give everyone the time of day.
“I am fortunate that he came to work with me,” Magyar said. “He gave his clients time. I never heard anyone complain that they were shorted time.”
Herman was born in Buchanan and moved to Niles with his family at the age of 8. His older brother Chuck, who pursued a career as an attorney and would serve as the St. Joseph chief assistant prosecutor, inspired his passion for law.
Herman attended Lake Michigan College and studied history and political science. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Western University in 1978 and continued on to law school at the Detroit College of Law, graduating in 1982.
Herman spent years culminating a multitude of experience in law practice.
It was 34 years ago that Herman would meet Michael Dodge the Cass County Circuit Court Judge, who would help Herman get the start to his career.
Herman was hired to be Dodge’s law clerk.
“He was a great guy to work for,” Herman said. “He always made you feel like your opinions meant something.”
When he dons the robe of the 43rd circuit court judge, his duties will include presiding over the county’s felony court cases, which includes trials and sentencing hearings, as well as all civil cases with claims of more than $25,000.
For his six-year term Herman said this open communication and willingness to delve deep into the facts is a legacy of Dodge’s that he hopes to continue.
In addition to his experience as law clerk under Judge Michael Dodge, Herman served for 22 years as prosecutor with the Cass County Prosecutor’s office Pokagon Band Tribal Courts and Village of Cassopolis. He has also worked as an attorney referee and probate court administrator under judges Herbert Phillipson and Susan Dobrich. Additionally, Herman has spent the past 12 years as a private attorney with Dowagiac’s Magyar Law Office.
It was fellow attorneys, as well as police officers Herman said who encouraged him to run as judge.
Herman last ran in an election against Victor Fitz for the position of prosecutor in the early 2000s.
With the support of his wife, Margie and daughter Emily, Herman said they spent months campaigning. Margie would help him go door to door and Emily kept social media posts updated.
“It is a lot of work,” Herman said. “She [Margie] was my rock. We bumped lots of ideas off each other.”
It was people like his dedicated wife and daughter, he said, he could not wait to thank, as well as colleagues who had supported him.
Looking to the future he said he hoped to support Cass County.
“The position is not about me,” Herman said. “It is about working and trying to do the best for their clients.”