Judge Lambrix reflects on long career as he readies for retirement

Judge Lambrix reflects on long career as he readies for retirement

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor

HART — Oceana County Probate Court Judge Bradley Lambrix has announced he is retiring after serving 18 years on the bench.

Judge Lambrix’s last day on the job will be Dec. 31, 2024. “The new term for my successor will commence Jan. 1,” he said.

The 67-year-old Shelby native obtained his bachelor’s degree from Hope College and then his law degree from Cooley Law School. He operated his own law practice for a few years and then became the assistant prosecuting attorney for Oceana County. 

“I was the assistant prosecutor both part time and full time for a total of 18 years and then on the bench for 18 years, so I’ve been serving here for 36 years.”

The 1974 Shelby High School graduate has worked in all areas of law that the county government handles. 

“The duties have been expanded over the years,” he said of the probate court responsibilities. “Initially, it has to do with wills, estates, trusts, guardianships and conservatorships. It’s been expanded to include juvenile matters. Now because of cross assignments, I also am the presiding judge of the family division of the 51st Circuit Court. In that role, I handle all the family matters from divorce, custody, parenting time, neglect and abuse.” 

In addition to probate court duties, he has been cross-assigned to handle criminal matters in circuit court.

“I enjoy what I do,” he said. “I am in a position to be able to help people and make some tough decisions. I’ve been blessed to be able to do what I want to do where I want to do it. Oceana County is where I wanted to do it.

“I’ve been blessed to have a really great staff, and I still enjoy my job. But after this many years, it’s just time.”

The judge said that retiring at the end of his term is good timing, so a new judge will be elected by voters instead of being appointed by the governor. “I’ve given it a lot of thought, and if I were to retire mid-term, a governor’s appointment would fill the vacancy. I want to finish out my term and leave it to the people to decide. I’m a lifelong resident of Oceana County, and it should be up to the people to decide who the successor ought to be.

“I was very blessed to succeed Walt Urick. Judge Urick did a wonderful job.” Lambrix was elected probate court judge after Walter Urick retired.

Although he loves his job, it also comes with challenges. “It’s been a real challenge in recent years as to the level of conflict that people have engaged in — it just seems to escalate.” Resolutions are harder to reach. “People aren’t that interested in resolving matters — they want to litigate. And they have an absolute right to do that. It just seems things seem to be more contested over the years.

“We’ve engaged with mediation services and a number of different opportunities to try to resolve those types of high conflict cases — with quite a bit of success — but there is still a challenge out there, especially with cases involving families, child custody and parenting time.

“Judicial temperament” is key in these situations, he said. “More information, better decisions” is a motto Lambrix follows in his work as well. The more he knows about the nuances of the cases, the better decisions he is able to reach. 

Lambrix’s son, Jeremy, seems to be following in his father’s footsteps, serving as assistant prosecutor in Muskegon County. 

Lambrix began his college coursework as a business major, but when he took a business law class at Hope College, he soon decided to switch gears. “I just loved it,” he recalled. “I was talking to one of my advisors, and he said, ‘Why don’t you go to law school?’ That’s how I ended up on that path.”

His late father, George Lambrix, was the Oceana County treasurer for 26 years. “Between him and me, we have a little over 60 years of service to Oceana County.” 

The judge’s wife, Mary Jo, recently retired after working 43 years as a registered nurse at Holland Hospital. “That’s another reason why it’s time to retire, so we can spend quality time together doing things that we want to do. I’m looking forward to that. We enjoy being outdoors and being active. One of my fun hobbies, especially this time of year, is making maple syrup.

“It’s been an interesting journey. I’ve really enjoyed it, and I’ve been very blessed to have a great career.”

Local attorney Anna Rapa announced to OCP that she is seeking election to the probate court judge position.

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