Attorney named juvenile magistrate

VALPARAISO | Longtime Porter County attorney Gwenn Rinkenberger will take over March 15 as magistrate of the juvenile court.

She will replace Edward Nemeth, who is retiring from the post, according to Porter Circuit Court Judge Mary Harper.

Rinkenberger said she will miss the position she has held for the past 16 years, but has been watching for an opportunity to make the transition to the bench.

"They don't open often here," she said.

In addition to the civil experience she gained as county attorney, Rinkenberger said she has nearly 10 years of criminal work as a federal and county prosecutor. She also worked three years before law school as a juvenile probation officer in Lake County, represented county commissioners for 10 years on a Child Protection Team and has volunteered with a student mediation program.

"I would say that is a nice rounded out balance," Rinkenberger said.

Harper, who made the appointment as judge of the juvenile court, said she is looking forward to working with Rinkenberger.

"I consider her a very outstanding legal talent," Harper said.

Rinkenberger was chosen out of a number of applicants based on her level of intellect, maturity, ability to work well with a large cross section of people and her assistance to the juvenile justice system, Harper said.

With this appointment, each of the four female chief deputy prosecutors from the county have all made it to the bench, Harper said, who counted herself among that group.

Rinkenberger will be the county's third juvenile magistrate, after having served as the first full-time county attorney.

"It's a sad day for Porter County government, but a glorious day for the judicial offices for Porter County," Porter County Commissioner President John Evans said.

The Board of Commissioners released a statement outlining Rinkenberger's many duties and accomplishments. They said she served in a bipartisan fashion with 10 different commissioners.

Evans said the commissioners will rely on the help of assorted attorneys until deciding how to proceed with selecting a replacement for Rinkenberger.