Judge Syler set to retire; local attorney to run for seat

After more than two decades presiding over the 32nd Judicial Circuit, Judge William L. Syler will leave the bench when he retires at the end of 2014.

Syler was first elected in 1992 soon after he was appointed as Division I judge when Stephen Limbaugh Jr. left the post to join the Missouri Supreme Court. Syler has since won election every six years and over time handed down decisions on some of the most high-profile criminal and civil cases seen in the circuit, which includes Cape Girardeau, Bollinger and Perry counties.

Syler announced his decision to retire Tuesday morning. His wife's retirement a little more than a year ago helped him make that choice, he said.

"It's been a great job and I've loved it, but it's time to do something else," he said.

He plans to finish his six-year term, he said, that ends in December. The announcement came now, Syler said, because he didn't want others to delay seeking the position. Filing for the November election begins in February.

Trae Bertrand

"That's right around the corner, and I thought, in fairness to everyone else, I should make up my mind and then let everyone know in time to make their own plans," he said.

Syler, a Republican, was unchallenged on the ballot in his last bid for the seat in 2008.

Bertrand announces run

Already making plans is local attorney Trae Bertrand, whose announcement that he will run for the judgeship coincided with Syler's announcement Tuesday.

Bertrand is a partner at Bradshaw, Steele, Cochrane & Berens law firm and has practiced civil and criminal law for nine years in Cape Girardeau, according to a news release sent Tuesday.

"It's been a long time dream of mine to be circuit judge, and I feel that now is the right time to run," Bertrand said in the release. "I've gained valuable legal knowledge over the past nine years, and am extremely committed to this community."

Bertrand, a Republican, serves on the city of Cape Girardeau's planning and zoning commission and is a member of numerous civic and community organizations.

On Tuesday, he said he is forming a fundraising committee, which will be led by former Cape Girardeau mayor Jay Knudtson.

Bertrand graduated from Cape Girardeau Central High School and earned bachelor's and master's degrees from Southeast Missouri State University before attending law school at the University of Tulsa. He is married and has three children.

No other potential candidates have publicly announced their intention to seek the seat. If more than one candidate from the same party files for the seat, a primary election will be held in August.

eragan@semissourian.com

388-3627

Pertinent address:

44 N. Lorimier St., Cape Girardeau, MO