A large audience of WCBA members and others bid farewell to judges John Collins and Ann Mattson last week.
Mattson, of the 15th District Court and Collins, of the 14B District Court, are retiring. Their recently elected replacements, Chris Easthope and Charles Pope respectively, were on hand to provide personal send-offs.
In addition, Collins' long-time friend and colleague, Dennis McLain and Mattson's judicial colleague and close friend Libby Hines, also offered remarks.
"When you have the fortune of being a judge, it's a heavy mantle of responsibility," Mattson said.
"You have the power to affect many others for better or worse and it continues to be a very humbling experience.
"Everyday I see people who are struggling with addiction and mental illness. With my colleagues, we have endeavored to provide incentives and tools to help them deal with the burdens they bear.
"I'm confident that I've done my best. I'm not...