County prosecutor picked as new municipal judge

The Kalispell City Council on Monday appointed Lori Adams to serve as the city’s next Municipal Court judge.

Adams is a deputy county attorney in the Flathead County Attorney’s Office. Pending her acceptance of the appointment, she would start as a judge on Jan. 2.

She will succeed Judge Heidi Ulbricht, who leaves the position at the end of this year after being elected in November to Flathead District Court seat. Ulbricht has been Kalispell’s Municipal Court judge for 18 years.

Adams was the only person to apply for the Municipal Court appointment and would have to run for election in November 2013 if she wants to keep the position.

“Council might imagine, it’s a little daunting for an attorney to fill that role, to take that risk of closing a practice down to maybe be appointed and then have to run in November,” Kalispell City Attorney Charlie Harball said. “That probably explains why we had one.”

A city selection committee made up of Mayor Tammi Fisher, attorney Thane Johnson and victim advocate Jen Curtis unanimously recommended Adams be appointed.

“The mayor asked me to voice her overwhelming support for Ms. Adams in this position,” council member Kari Gabriel said.

Fisher and council member Jim Atkinson were not present at Monday’s meeting.

Adams will be sworn in at the next regular council meeting on Monday, Dec. 17.

Reporter Tom Lotshaw may be reached at 758-4483 or by email at tlotshaw@dailyinterlake.com.