Traverse City Record-Eagle

Grand Traverse County

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September 29, 2009

Judges select new court referee

Kirsten Keilitz is replacing Dennis Mikko

BY BRIAN McGILLIVARY

TRAVERSE CITY -- Area judges selected an attorney with a history of volunteering legal services for area human service agencies as the new family court referee for Antrim, Leelanau and Grand Traverse Counties.

Traverse City native Kirsten Keilitz, 41, topped more than two dozen applicants for a position that pays $64,450 annually.

Family court referees conduct preliminary hearings in matters regarding child custody, child support and co-parenting disputes and resolve some juvenile delinquency and child neglect and abuse issues.

"It was an exceptionally strong field of candidates; everyone had experience as a family law attorney," said 13th Circuit Court Judge Philip Rodgers. "But Kirsten was the absolute unanimous choice."

Rodgers, fellow circuit court Judge Thomas Powers and probate court Judges David Stowe and Norman Hayes interviewed seven candidates before picking Keilitz to replace Dennis Mikko.

Mikko resigned in August and faces five felony counts for possessing child pornography.

Keilitz was a partner at Lewis, Schuknecht, & Keilitz PC and also briefly worked for Smith, Haughey, Rice & Roegge law firm. She graduated from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 1993 and has 16 years of experience as a family law attorney. She volunteers for several legal clinics and has served on the boards for a local Rotary Club and United Way.

"I have a long history of community service and I'm looking forward to moving from private practice to public service," Keilitz said.

Related Stories:
- Mikko allegedly had 'collage' of teen girls
- Ex-referee is charged for nude photos
- Mikko suspected of 'child exploitation'
- Circuit court referee resigns
- Referee may resign amid investigation

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