Five candidates file for district court offices

This year’s election will bring changes to Montana’s 19th Judicial District Court in Lincoln County. Judge James Wheelis and Clerk of the Court Susan Farmer have both decided not to seek re-election, and five candidates have filed to replace them. Two candidates have filed for Wheelis’ seat on the bench and three have filed to replace Farmer as Clerk of the Court.

Robin Schiferl, Cyndi Miller and Tricia Brooks are the three candidates seeking the office of Clerk of the Court. All three boast significant experience in the Lincoln County justice system.

Schiferl is currently the supervising clerk in the Lincoln County Justice Court, a position she’s held for 12 of her 15 years in that court. Miller has 26 years of legal experience, working in a number of roles, from clerk to paralegal and office manager, in private legal practices before taking a position as legal assistant in the Lincoln County Attorney’s Office, where she’s been for the past six years. Brooks has been in the Clerk of the Court’s office for the past 10 years, working as administrative assistant to the clerk and as substitute clerk in her absence.

All three candidates have long-standing ties to Lincoln County. 

Miller is a graduate of Libby High School who has been married to her husband Joe for 21 years. The couple owns and operates the Libby Kwik Lube. They lived briefly in Seattle, where Miller received two years of training at the Court Reporting Institute, before returning home to Libby. She said she enjoys the great outdoors, including riding her bicycle to work and taking her dog for long walks. She also enjoys hunting, fishing, waterskiing, boating, snowmobiling and riding ATVs. She is an active member of the Lincoln County Sno-Kats, Ten Lakes Snowmobile Club and Backcountry Sled Patriots.

Brooks is a lifetime Lincoln County resident as well. She has been married to her husband Joe for 28 years and the couple has one daughter, who is currently in her third year of college. Brooks enjoys spending the summer months competing in pattern racing and trail riding on her horse. When the horse season ends she transitions into hunting mode, which she enjoys with her family. In the winter she can be found on the ski hills, enjoying both downhill and cross-country skiing.

Schiferl has lived in Lincoln County for 27 years, the first 10 in the Eureka area and the last 17 in Libby. She has four children and six grandchildren. She said she enjoys outdoor activities, such as triathlons, hunting, hiking, snowshoeing and Appleseed shooting events.

The three candidates each expressed different reasons for why they’re running for the office.

“I have been working in the Clerk of Court’s office since 2006 and I am the most qualified to fill the position,” Brooks said. “I also have a well-rounded work ethic from working in a labor industry and an office environment. Nobody forces a person to run for an elected position. It is something you do of your own free will and if elected it will never be taken for granted.”

Schiferl said, “I feel my knowledge would improve the Clerk of Court’s office.”

Miller cited her experience on the other side of the counter as bringing a new perspective to the office.

“The Clerk of Court’s Office is a low profile office but an important one because it impacts the lives of so many people,” she said. “Navigating the legal system can be an intimidating process for the average citizen. If elected I will rely on my experience in both the public and private sector and my ability to communicate with people from all walks of life to ensure that every customer of the Clerk’s office will walk away feeling the office has been courteous, respectful and helpful. I take the title of public servant seriously in my current position and I will continue to do so as Clerk of the District Court.

“Unlike my opponents I’ve never worked in the Clerk’s office. Instead, I’ve observed the office from the other side of the counter – as a customer and colleague. I offer a new set of eyes and a fresh approach to the operations of the office that will benefit everyone concerned. My education, depth of legal knowledge and experience coupled with the ability to bring that fresh perspective to the office clearly sets me apart from the other candidates.”

Neither of the two candidates for district court judge live in Lincoln County, although both have ties to the county and its communities.

William Managhan is the lead public defender for Lincoln County, working out of the Office of the State Public Defender in Kalispell.

“I represent people in Lincoln County in serious felony cases, guardianships, involuntary civil commitments, dependency and neglect and juvenile cases,” he said. “My duties also include supervising and training other attorneys. I have extensive experience in both criminal and civil law. I have real experience with every type of case that a district court judge must handle.”

Managhan earned both his undergraduate degree in criminology and his law degree from the University of Montana. He also clerked for two Montana Supreme Court Justices, where he helped write more than 40 opinions on Montana law. He has also argued roughly 20 cases before the Montana Supreme Court and managed his own law firm for more than 10 years before joining the public defender’s office.

Matthew J. “Matt” Cuffe is a partner in the Missoula firm of Worden Thane, but grew up in Lincoln County and is a graduate of Libby High School. His father, Mike Cuffe, is a member of the Montana House of Representatives, representing the Eureka area.

“I have practiced law for over 20 years,” Cuffe said. “While developing my practice, I also served as one of the managing partners and mentoring attorney to the firm’s new associates, law clerks and student interns. Along with my extensive legal experience, I have the experience of running a small business. My practice has been purposefully diverse. I represent individuals and businesses in all aspects of their lives. I represent clients in everything, including criminal cases, family law issues, personal injuries, contract and property disputes, probates and starting new businesses. I have filed suits for my clients and defended my clients when they were sued.”

Cuffe is married to Christi and the couple have two children. Their son graduated from the University of Montana-Western and now lives in Steamboat Springs, Colo. Their daughter is finishing a degree in elementary education at the University of Montana.

Managhan is also married. His wife, Melody, manages a real estate office in Kalispell. He has twin 22-year-old sons, one recently graduated from the University of Montana, one serving in the Army Reserve and studying animation. His four stepchildren range in age from 14 to 20. He also has an adopted daughter who is 11 years old.

Managhan said he made the decision to run for the judge’s office after repeatedly being asked to do so by members of the county’s legal community.

“I was repeatedly asked to run for judge by people in the Lincoln County legal community,” he said. “After months of consideration and discussions with my friends and family I agreed to run. I have always believed in serving my community whether as a volunteer fireman or as a coach. The reason I agreed to become a public defender is because I care more about helping others than making money.”

Cuffe said he sees the judgeship as a means to not only return to his home, but to serve the community.

“Lincoln County is where my heart is,” he said. “My wife and I have been looking for an opportunity to return for several years. It has long been a dream of mine to be a district judge in my home county. Moreover, I was raised with a strong sense of history and community service. I have a great-grandfather that argued cases as a Lincoln County Attorney. I have a grandfather that was a deputy sheriff and city police officer in Eureka. It is important to me that not only the legal community respect our judicial system, but also that the community at large has faith in the quality and competency of our courts. I believe I bring that respect and will earn that faith.”

The primary election will be held June 7, 2016. The top two finishers in the Clerk of the Court race will advance to the general election, as will both Managhan and Cuffe.