Congratulations to Retiring Judges Donnell and Tharp

Judicial positions are a unique challenge—it takes a mix of special qualities to perform the job effectively. The Wyoming judiciary has been very fortunate to have benefitted from the integrity, temperament and knowledge of District Judge Jeffrey Donnell and Circuit Court Judge Terrill Tharp over the past 19 years and 22 years, respectively. In August, these two members of the judiciary announced their plans to retire as of January, 2017.

Both judges are natives of Worland, Wyoming, making one think that the Big Horn Basin is not only a great source of hunting and fishing opportunities, but also a source of budding judicial potential.

Judge Donnell graduated from the University of Wyoming, receiving his Bachelor’s Degree in 1974. He received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Wyoming, College of Law in 1977 and was admitted to the Wyoming State Bar on September 13, 1977. Prior to Judge Donnell’s 1996 appointment as a District Judge for the Second Judicial District, Albany County, he engaged in the general practice of law from 1977 until 1996 with the Worland-based firm Davis, Donnell, Worrall & Bancroft. Judge Donnell was instrumental in the establishment of the Court Security Task Force in 2006 and served as its Task Force Chair. He was awarded the Larry L. Lehman Award for Judicial Excellence in 2007 and the State Bar President’s Award at this year’s Annual Meeting. Judge Donnell also served on the Board of Judicial Policy & Administration for 15 years and on the Wyoming Court Security Commission until 2014.

Judge Tharp graduated from the University of Wyoming, receiving his Bachelor’s Degree in 1972. He received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Wyoming, College of Law in 1975 and was admitted to the Wyoming State Bar on October 3, 1975. Prior to Judge Tharp’s 1994 appointment as a Circuit Court Judge in the Sixth Judicial District, Campbell County, he served in private practice and as a public defender from 1976 to 1982. Thereafter, he served as a prosecuting attorney for Big Horn County for nine years and as Campbell County’s prosecuting attorney for three years. Judge Tharp also served on the Board of Judicial Policy & Administration for three years.

We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Judge Donnell and Judge Tharp for their service to the people of Albany and Campbell counties, as well as their many contributions to promoting the cause of justice in our state. Your guidance and leadership will be greatly missed by the judiciary.