Herbert fills 2 judicial vacancies with veteran prosecutors

SALT LAKE CITY — Gov. Gary Herbert named his appointees to two separate openings on the state court bench this week, selecting two experienced prosecutors.

Katherine Bernards-Goodman, an assistant division chief in the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office who has spent more than 20 years there, will take a place on the 3rd District Court bench pending approval by the Senate. She will fill a vacancy left by Judge Stephen Roth, who was appointed to the Utah Court of Appeals.

"Katherine Bernards-Goodman brings more than 20 years of experience as a prosecutor to the bench and has been trusted with some of Salt Lake County's most difficult cases," Herbert said Monday. "She has won the praise of her colleagues and the bar for her diligence, judgment and integrity."

Bernards-Goodman prosecuted a number of high-profile homicide cases, including the cold case murders of Cathy Cobb and Tara Brennan. Bernards-Goodman described prosecution work as "fantastic" and said she will miss the people she's worked with during the past 21 years, but she looks forward to this new opportunity.

"It's been very satisfying over the years, when I try a murder case, to be able to bring that kind of satisfaction to a victim's family," she said. "As a judge, I'll be able to have the same opportunities. I'm kind of continuing in the same vein as I've been in the past."

Clark McClellan, city attorney for both Roosevelt and Vernal cities, was appointed to replace 8th District Judge Lynn Payne, who is retiring. Herbert also had high praise for McClellan, stating that as a "native son of the Uintah Basin," McClellan has a unique understanding of the issues facing those he will serve.

"He has litigated criminal, civil and domestic cases, and he has earned a reputation as a prepared, articulate and zealous advocate," the governor said. "I am confident that Mr. McClellan will become known as an intelligent, hard-working and fair-minded judge."

The appointments of Bernards-Goodman and McClellan will now go before the state Senate for confirmation.

e-mail: emorgan@desnews.com