Special to the Reporter

District Judge Jim Kramer took the oath of office this past Sunday afternoon during a ceremony held at the Shelby County Courthouse.

The oath was administered by outgoing judge and newly elected Supreme Court Justice Patti Smith.

About 100 guests were on hand to witness the swearing in and attend the reception in Kramer’s honor.

Kramer’s robing committee was comprised of his wife, Lynette, who held the Bible for his oath and his children, Amanda and Andrew, who presented him with his robe.

Kramer has worked in Shelby County’s Juvenile Court alongside Smith for the last 20 years.

After receiving a few words of judicial advice and good wishes from Justice Smith, Kramer referred to Juvenile Court as his &uot;passion.&uot;

&uot;The first case I ever had was a juvenile case,&uot; he said.

Kramer thanked the people of Shelby County for the confidence they have placed in him to serve as district judge for the next six years.

In his first run for a judgeship, Kramer defeated three opponents in the Republican primary. He defeated a fourth opponent in the run-off to win the seat which was occupied by Smith for the past twenty-five years.

Kramer received his law degree from Cumberland School of Law at Samford University and has been in private practice in Shelby County for 20 years.

Local attorneys and child advocates attending the event expressed their support for Kramer, and praised his years of experience in working with Shelby County’s District Court.