Moving up

Honorable Matthew F.G. Castano, familiar to the community already as Circuit Court Judge for the Sixth Judicial District, has been appointed to serve as District Court Judge for Crook, Weston and Campbell counties.

Castano will step into the role left by Judge Thomas W. Rumpke upon his retirement. As a Crook County resident – in fact, the first District Court judge in a while to reside in this county – he says he has no plans to relocate.

"This is our home and this will remain our home," he says. "It has been a tremendous community both for me and for my wife and we intend on being part of it for many, many years."

Castano was chosen from among three names put forward by the Judicial Nominating Commission. The commission considered all who expressed interest in the position and submitted three nominees for the consideration of Governor Mark Gordon: Castano, Honorable Paul S. Phillips and Ronald E. Wirthwein, Jr.

"I thank Governor Gordon for this honor," Castano said. "I would also like to thank those clerks and judges with whom I have served on the Circuit Court for making me the judge that I am. I look forward to serving the people of the Sixth Judicial District on the District Court."

Since 2014, Castano has served as Circuit Court Judge, before which he spent 13 years in private practice with Brown & Hiser LLC in Laramie. He has also worked as a staff attorney for the Sixth Judicial District Child Support Authority and served as a Circuit Court Magistrate in Albany County, overseeing the Albany County Drug Court.

Castano received his Bachelor's degree from the University of Delaware and his J.D. degree from the University of Wyoming. 

Announcing his decision, Governor Gordon praised, "Matthew's broad experience serving the people of Crook, Weston and Campbell counties as a Circuit Court judge. His thoughtful and deliberate approach will serve him well on the District Court." 

Castano's appointment is effective March 2, 2022. Meanwhile, the Judicial Nominating Commission will be accepting expressions of interest to fill the vacancy he leaves in Circuit Court until March 3.

Candidates must be qualified electors of the state and authorized to practice law in Wyoming. An expression of interest form can be obtained from the Supreme Court's website, http://www.courts.state.wy.us/Administration/Careers, and must reach the office of Chief Justice Fox by 5 p.m. on March 3.

As with the District Court Judge position, Governor Gordon will appoint the new Sixth Judicial District Circuit Court Judge (Crook and Weston Counties) from a list of three names submitted to him by the Judicial Nominating Commission, which is comprised of three lawyers elected by the Wyoming State Bar and three non-lawyers appointed by the governor.