Wyoming Governor Appoints Laramie Magistrate as Albany County District Court Judge

Tori A. Kricken, Municipal Court Magistrate in Laramie, will succeed Albany County District Court Judge Jeffrey Donnell when he retires Jan. 2 after more than 20 years on the bench.

Governor Matt Mead chose Kricken over Robin Sessions Cooley and Peter H. Froelicher, who were also named finalists for the post.

"Tori is deeply committed to Laramie and to her family. She has brilliance in the law and has earned respect for her community commitment, legal acumen, and work ethic," Mead said in a Friday press release. "I have no doubt Tori will continue to work hard and serve the people of Albany County well."

Kricken currently serves as staff attorney for the Second Judicial District. She has also worked in private practice in Laramie, as a hearing examiner for the Office of Administrative Hearings in Cheyenne, and as a law clerk for the Second Judicial District.

For over a decade in the Second Judicial District, Kricken has served as District Court Commissioner, Circuit Court Magistrate and DUI/Drug Court Judge.

She was appointed Laramie's Municipal Court Magistrate in 2014.

"I am honored and humbled by Governor Mead's decision to appoint me to the District Court in Laramie," Kricken says. "I am dedicated to upholding the honor and integrity of the Court and to serving the citizens of Albany County and the State of Wyoming."

Kricken earned her bachelor's degree in business administration and her law degree, both with highest honors, from the University of Wyoming.

She has taught as a visiting or adjunct professor at the UW College of Law for the past 12 years, authored numerous published law articles and served on rules and other committees of the Wyoming State Bar.

Kricken also has held leadership positions in the PTA at Indian Paintbrush Elementary School and on The Open School Board of Directors for several years.