A commission comprised of two attorneys from Cass County and three lay persons, along with Fourth District Court Judge James Richardson, approved the appointment of Justin Hockenberry, as Magistrate Judge. Hockenberry, who works with the Cambridge Law Firm in Atlantic, will join Karen Mailander presiding over local cases. He succeeds retiring Magistrate Judge Steven A. Heckenbach, who was appointed to the seat in 1991. Hockenberry will begin his duties on the bench, immediately.