The Marion Superior Court Executive Committee recently approved the reassignments of Judge Jerry Zore to Marion Probate Court, and Judge Mike Keele to Civil Division Court 7. These changes come as Judge Tanya Walton Pratt assumes her duties as the newest judge to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana which occurred on June 25.

First elected to the bench in 1974, Judge Zore has served on the civil court bench throughout his judicial career. “I think it will be an interesting experience and I’m looking forward to the change,” Zore said of the reassignment which he sought. His tenure as judge has also included a term as Marion Superior Court Presiding Judge.

Judge Keele will be leaving Community Court where he has been since his election to the bench in 2001. Keele said, “I look forward to the reassignment to Civil 7 where Judge Zore served so capably for 36 years.”

Judge Keele has requested permission to bring with him to Civil Court 7 the environmental docket he has been handling while sitting in Community Court. “I’m hopeful the cases will accompany me, though no final decision has yet been made by the Court’s Executive Committee,” he noted.

Both judges are expected to complete the physical move to their new courts in the City County Building the week of July 5.

Governor Mitch Daniels is anticipated to name Judge Pratt’s replacement to the Superior Court within 45 days. It will then be the responsibility of the Superior Court’s Executive Committee chaired by Presiding Judge Bob Altice to assign the Court’s newest judge to a bench.•