Congratulations to Retiring Judge Wade Waldrip

Not only will District Judge Wade Waldrip be sorely missed as a jurist, he’ll also be missed as a “law school recruiter” when he retires his black robe.  Barb Casados, the judge’s Judicial Assistant, commented, “He has been an inspiration to a lot of people—at least two newspaper reporters, one student intern, and one defendant have graduated from law school because of his influence.”

After 17 years as a judicial officer for the Second Judicial District in Carbon County, the Honorable Wade E. Waldrip will retire from the court effective July 7, 2017.  Judge Waldrip was appointed by Governor Jim Geringer as a Circuit Court Judge for the Second Judicial District, Carbon County, in 2000.  In 2004, when Governor Freudenthal appointed Waldrip as a District Judge for Carbon County, one of the judge’s stated priorities was the delivery of prompt and courteous service.  Casados remarked that Judge Waldrip has always been considerate of the attorneys, the defendants, and the jurors, and that “He starts his hearings on time—he doesn’t like anyone waiting for him.  He always took his job seriously, but not himself.”  The judge’s endeavor to deliver prompt service also extended to other courts around the state by way of his readiness to fill in for other judges.  Judge Tori Kricken, District Judge for Albany County, commented that “He is always ready and willing to help out a fellow judge in times of need—whether due to illness, conflicts of interest, etc.”  His willingness to do this not only eased the workload of his colleagues, but also helped the citizens of the state receive timely adjudication of their cases.

“I was lucky to have the job.  I was also lucky to work with the people I work with,” offered Judge Waldrip.  “Judge Ken Stebner was my mentor for 17 years and never failed to give good advice; our court reporter, Tara France, was a pleasure to be around; finishing up my last six months with an attorney as talented as William Elliott [Law Clerk] was icing on the cake; and working with Barbara Casados was just a pleasure.  Barb is the most professional person I have ever been around and a better lawyer than most.  She was a good sounding board and a good friend.  If I have enjoyed any success as a judge, it was due mostly to her efforts.”

Judge Waldrip received the Larry L. Lehman Award for Judicial Excellence in 2014.  He served on many committees and panels during his tenure on the bench: Board of Judicial Policy and Administration, Child Death Review & Prevention Team, Permanent Rules Advisory Committee-Criminal Division, Commission on Judicial Conduct and Ethics, 2006-2012 Judge for “We the People” Civic Education Program at Saratoga High School,  2009 Wyoming Trial Lawyers Association-Judges Panel, UW College of Law, Summer Trial Institute, 2014 Young Lawyers Conference Panel Discussion “Ethical Jeopardy,” and presided as the judge of the 2014 First Annual Spence Law Firm Historic Trial “The Cattle War of Johnson County.”

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Judge Waldrip and wish him the best in retirement.  He has served the citizens of Carbon County and the State of Wyoming with great integrity and confidence.  He’ll be missed by the judiciary.

Governor Matt Mead recently appointed Dawnessa Snyder to fill the resulting vacancy.  Ms. Snyder is currently the Chief Deputy in the Carbon County Attorney’s Office.