Judge Mike Cuzzo visits with a citizen at the informal afternoon gathering at the Cook County courthouse on January 3. Cuzzo took the oath of office at the Lake County courthouse earlier that morning.
On January 3, 2011, newly elected District 6 Judge Mike Cuzzo spent some time in the Cook County courthouse getting to know the people he would be working with for the next six years. The government officials, law enforcement representatives, court system staffers and general public who entered were asked to wear nametags to assist the new judge.
Cuzzo and his wife, Diana, were the first to put on nametags. “I try to lead by example,” Cuzzo said.
After chatting with nearly everyone in the room, Cuzzo said he thought he should try out the judge’s chair, as he would be spending a lot of time sitting there. From the judicial seat, he gave a brief statement, noting that he had recently made a surprise visit to the Cook County courthouse. “I came up here unannounced and I had the nicest, most relaxed visit with people that I’ve had since the election was over. I started to feel at home,” he said.
Cuzzo had been sworn in as District 6 Judge that morning and he said he was ready to get to work. He added that he greatly appreciated the support from his former law partner Ron Envall as he left private practice, from the other judges in the 6th Judicial District who expressed willingness to help as he settles in, and from all the court administrative staff.
Cuzzo comes to the job of judge from a 27-year career as a trial attorney, arbitrator and mediator. He was raised in Duluth and graduated with honors from UMD and the University of MN Law School. He and his wife, Diana, and son, Alex, divide their time between their home in Duluth and their cabin on the Caribou Trail.
“Thanks to everyone. And, if we didn’t get enough time to visit today, that’s okay. We’ll get to know each other along the way,” said Cuzzo.
His first day on the bench is January 19, 2011.
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