Crowd greets new Girard judge, bids farewell to his predecessor
By robert Guttersohn
Girard
The swearing-in ceremony of Jeff Adler on Thursday as Girard Municipal Court judge also was a goodbye to 18-year Judge Michael Bernard.
Family members for both Adler and Bernard, along with local officials, filled the municipal courtroom that oversees cases from Girard, Hubbard, Hubbard Township, Liberty and Vienna.
The large turnout pleased Adler, who was wearing the black robe he’ll wear in the courtroom for his six-year term.
“I’m humbled,” he said. “All the support I’ve had is great.”
Adler said his experience as Hubbard’s law director will provide him insight into the communities he is serving.
“You get a grasp of what’s going on within the cities,” he said.
Adler was also an assistant prosecutor in Trumbull County and has been practicing law since 1990.
During the ceremony, Adler recognized his fellow judges seated in the jury box.
“If I’m half the judges these people are, I’ll do a great job,” Adler said.
He also recognized the hard work by his wife, Tina, during the spring campaign.
She and their children, 13-year-old Jared and 9-year-old Jackie, stood next to Adler during the ceremony.
Bernard, who grew emotional during the ceremony, said he ran his court under a philosophy his father, who was judge before him, passed down to him.
“Do not be too hard on people coming before you,” Bernard said, quoting his father. “He taught me everything I know.”
Bernard did not run for re-election and is retiring. He said his first priority is to rest. Second, he and his wife, Linda, plan to head to Florida where his brother lives.