TERRE HAUTE — Under a 20-foot mural depicting the signing of the Magna Carta, Terre Haute attorney Craig McKee was sworn in Wednesday afternoon as a part-time United States magistrate judge.
The ceremony took place in the courtroom of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, in the federal building on Seventh and Cherry streets – a courtroom that McKee recalled seeing for the first time as a young lawyer, when he clerked for the Judge Gene E. Brooks of the district court.
During an address to assembled colleagues, friends, family and presiding federal Judge Larry J. McKinney, McKee expressed his initial awe at the courtroom, a massive space with nearly 30-foot ceilings, walls of cherry wood and the colorful mural.
McKee, 49, replaces longtime Magistrate Jordan Lewis, who retired from the federal bench earlier this year after more than 28 years of service.
During his comments, McKee said serving as part-time federal magistrate will allow him to experience “the best of both worlds,” as judge and practicing attorney.
“What an honor,” he said.
McKee has practiced law in Terre Haute since 1985 with the firm Wilkinson, Goeller, Modesitt, Wilkinson & Drummy, and will continue his private law practice.
Originally from Frankfort, McKee is a graduate of Indiana State University and Indiana University School of Law-Indianapolis.
His clerkship to Judge Brooks was from 1983-1985.
McKee’s magistrate duties will focus on the court’s pre-trial criminal proceedings in the Terre Haute division. The position oversees arraignments and initial appearances by criminal defendants facing charges through the U.S. Attorney’s office in U.S. District Court.
Part-time magistrate judges are appointed through a merit-selection process by the judges of the U.S. District Courts for terms of four years, and are eligible for reappointment to successive terms. The court anticipates that McKee will be appointed upon completion of required Internal Revenue Service and FBI background investigations.
McKee is a member of the Terre Haute Bar Association, the Indiana State Bar Association, the American Health Lawyers Association and a director of the Indiana Bar Foundation.
He has served on the Human Relations Commission for the city of Terre Haute, on the board of directors for the Indiana State University Foundation, and as director and president of both the Greater Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Wabash Valley.
McKee’s wife, Diann, is an administrator at ISU.
Craig McKee serves on the 14-member chapter (governing board) of Washington National Cathedral and is president of the 14,000-member National Cathedral Association, the Cathedral’s nationwide friends and support organization.
Deb McKee can be reached at (812) 231-4254 or deb.mckee@tribstar.com.
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Discussion
Terre Haute attorney Craig McKee is installed as a new part-time magistrate judge
Part-time magistrate judges appointed through merit-selection process
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