Lewis County Superior Court Judge James Lawler hung up his robe Wednesday after a 41-year law career in Lewis County.
“I’m really looking forward to this, and as much as I enjoyed being a judge, I think I will enjoy retirement more,” Lawler said Wednesday.
Lawler, who said he will go by “just Jim” now that he’s retired, was honored by the Lewis County Board of Commissioners during its regular meeting on Tuesday and by his friends, family and colleagues at a retirement party on Wednesday.
Lawler graduated from Washington State University in 1979 and from law school at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon, in 1982.
Lawler practiced law in Lewis County for 24 years and was a partner in the law firm of Olson, Althauser, Lawler and Samuelson from 1980 to 2007, handling estate planning, probate and business planning cases in addition to felony and misdemeanor defense.
Lawler has held Position 2 in Lewis County Superior Court since he was first elected to the seat in 2007. He served as court commissioner pro tem from 1997 to 2007.
“It is definitely a lifelong service … to the people of Lewis County and to this region. I commend the years of service … and we are grateful for what you’ve done for Lewis County and its citizens,” Lewis County Commissioner Scott Brummer said Tuesday.
Jim Lawler and his wife, Elaine Lawler, plan to spend their retirement traveling to national parks and spending time with family.
The couple will travel to Omaha next week to visit their son, his wife and their kids.
“I know Jim’s going to miss his people … (but) we’re really excited to move to the next phase,” Elaine Lawler said Wednesday.
Lawler’s Position 2 seat in Lewis County Superior Court will be filled by former Lewis County Court Commissioner Paul Strophy, who ran unopposed for the position on the November 2024 ballot.
Strophy’s swearing-in ceremony was held Friday afternoon.
Cailen L. Cecil was sworn in as the new court commissioner on Dec. 2.
