Terry Vajgrt sworn in as District Court Judge (with video)
Former attorney takes oath Wednesday in Rock CountyLUVERNE — After practicing law for 22 years in both prosecution and defense, attorney Terry Vajgrt stood before a crowd of nearly 70 people in a Rock County courtroom Wednesday afternoon to take the next step in his career — that of District Court Judge in the Fifth Judicial District.
By: Julie Buntjer, Worthington Daily Globe
- Taking the oath
- At the bench
LUVERNE — After practicing law for 22 years in both prosecution and defense, attorney Terry Vajgrt stood before a crowd of nearly 70 people in a Rock County courtroom Wednesday afternoon to take the next step in his career — that of District Court Judge in the Fifth Judicial District.
With his wife and three sons by his side, Vajgrt raised his right hand and accepted the oath of office from Senior Judge Timothy Connell, and then stepped into a new long, black robe with the help of his parents, Beve and Jerry Vajgrt of Worthington.
He said he had been waiting for this day — his opportunity to thank all of those who helped him in his journey — for the past few weeks.
Vajgrt returned to southwest Minnesota 22 years ago to join Don Klosterbuer’s law office in Luverne. As Klosterbuer noted earlier in the ceremony, he was tasked with training the new attorney — a process that involved delivering a foot-high stash of files to Vajgrt’s desk and telling the new guy to “deal with them.”
Vajgrt shared his recollections of that first case to which he was assigned.
He recalled walking to the Rock County Courthouse from his little law office and wondering how, after three years of law school and tens of thousands of dollars in student loan debt, he could feel so ill-prepared to prosecute a petty misdemeanor speeding ticket case. While his words brought laughter to the courtroom, Vajgrt quickly spoke of the learning experience that happened afterward, when Judge Connell took him aside, told him he’d done a nice job and then offered tips on how the case could have been handled differently.
“I’ve been learning from Judge Connell ever since,” Vajgrt told the crowd. “He’s had a tremendous impact on me. He created an environment in the chambers and courtroom of high expectation and low intimidation.”
Klosterbuer recalled a few words of encouragement he had also given to Vajgrt: “It’s not really a case of winning or losing, it’s more an obligation to justice.”
Over the years, Klosterbuer said Vajgrt gathered the skills and exemplified every one of them.
“He became known for his meticulous preparation, which resulted in success and high conviction rates,” he said of Vajgrt.
During his tenure with the law firm, Vajgrt found his most enjoyment in public law — criminal prosecution, child protection cases and delinquency matters. Klosterbuer allowed him the opportunity to pursue his interests, even when it wasn’t consistent with the finances of the firm. Vajgrt offered his thanks to Klosterbuer for those experiences.
Vajgrt also spoke of three child protection specialists he worked with while in the county attorney’s office, saying that he helped them to understand the law related to children, but they helped him to understand children.
“They helped me understand the need of a child to form a healthy attachment to a caregiver, the impact of neglect and abuse, the developmental stages of a young child,” he said. “That helped me not only in the courtroom, but it helped me to be a better parent.”
Vajgrt left the law office in 2005 to pursue the “other side — the darker side,” according to Klosterbuer, as a defense attorney.
It was experiencing both sides of law that Connell said would make Vajgrt a good judge.
“I know you’ll do well,” said Connell. “I know you’re up to the task.”
Vajgrt waited with his comments until he was seated behind the bench, acknowledging first his parents, then wife Michelle and sons Joey, Jonny and Tommy.
“Mom and Dad, thank you for your guidance,” he said. “When I look to the coming months and coming years and wonder to myself how I can best serve the community, how I can be a good judge, I always go back to the same thing — to be true to the values that you taught your children. You parented by example, and I owe you a tremendous debt of gratitude.”
He called his wife his greatest blessing and, to his sons, took a bit of time to make light of his new job title.
“I’ve got a pretty good idea of what you’ve been thinking the last couple of weeks — you’re thinking, ‘Wow, you don’t have to be very smart to be a District Court judge.’” Vajgrt said as the crowd erupted in laughter. “I’m going to rise above that.”
Addressing not only his sons, but their cousins as well, Vajgrt issued his first order from the bench as judge by saying, “Dream big. Set your goals high. Set your goals outside your comfort zone.”
He asked them to think not only about their education, but their spiritual life — the kind of person they want to be.
“When you come across someone in life weaker than you who needs help, are you going to lift them up or are you going to pass them by?” he asked.
Vajgrt’s second order to them was to live with purpose, to live up to their potential.
It’s something, he said, he’s done in his own life with a career in law.
“To me, it’s a call for service. I hope to serve the community and the legal system to the best of my ability,” Vajgrt said. “When I get up in the morning, it will be my purpose to meet that goal. It will be my purpose to carry on the work of Judge (David) Christianson and Judge Connell. It will be my purpose to reach my potential as a judge.”
Daily Globe Reporter Julie Buntjer can be reached at 376-7330.
Tags: rock county, news, luverne
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