Friday was a big day for Ambrose Berger – perhaps the big- gest of his young life. There was cake to eat, both white and chocolate. There were chairs with wheels to ride in. There was a new office to see. There were grandparents (two sets) and aunts, a courtroom full of smiling people, and that gavel. Perched in the arms of his grandfather, almost 3-year-old Ambrose gazed at the gavel pointed out by his grandfather.
Explaining that the gavel and the big desk under it were part of the place where people would come when they got in trouble, the grandfather heard an earnest response. Ambrose had heard that word trouble before – “trouble on the double,” he said. “Trouble on the double.” Ambrose was being introduced to the Fifth Judicial District Courtroom where his father, Luke Berger, will preside, likely for many years to come.
Berger was chosen from among 13 applicants to succeed retiring judge Loren Tucker. Judge Berger was sworn in Friday, only the third local district judge in over 30 years, something Ambrose will probably appreciate more as he grows up. For Friday, he was told the cake and celebration were for his dad’s birthday. The big day was not just a family celebration. It was also old home week for lots of folks from Dillon and Twin Bridges.
The new judge, who grew up in the Dillon area before going to the University of Montana for his law degree, was sworn in by U. S. District Judge Brian Morris. Morris explained that his formative years were spent in Beaverhead, Madison and Jefferson counties, the counties within the district where Berger will preside. He told a story about living in Twin Bridges and going to high school in Whitehall. Each day, as the school bus approached the Kountz Bridge, the students would disembark, walk across the bridge, followed by the emptied bus, and then reload after getting over the aging bridge, he said.
Berger, whose in-laws live on a ranch at Twin Bridges, also shares those deep local roots, which will help him in his new job, said Morris. He went on to describe Berger as a “compassionate, hard-working, dedicated family man” who is certain to serve the district well. Berger, reflecting on his own youth, told the gathering, “Every- one in this room has influenced me in some way.”
He added, “You made me a better person being able to grow up around all of you.” He told listeners, “I look forward to working for you…My door will always be open.”
In an interview with the Monitor, Berger said he does not plan any changes in the court right away, but is listening to people in all of the areas served by the court to consider if changes are needed. The goal, he said, will be to do whatever best serves the needs of the district.
Most recently a deputy county attorney in Lewis & Clark County, Berger said he and his family – wife Alexis, Ambrose and 8-month-old Alex – will probably be living with relatives in Twin Bridges and Dillon until setting up a new home. Silver Star may be the settling place, he said.
In the meantime, Ambrose may not have recognized the full significance of the day, but eventually he will realize the gift he received Friday. While most of the people in the room will be referring to his father as “Your Honor,” Ambrose has the distinct honor of using an address reserved only for him and Alex – “Daddy.”
