ABBEY ANDERSON

IRON MOUNTAIN — Attorney Abbey Anderson has been named to become the new Dickinson County prosecutor effective Aug. 1.

Anderson will replace Lisa Richards, who announced in June she plans to retire July 31. A Republican, Richards was reelected without opposition to a four-year term in November. She first won the post in November 2012.

Anderson has more than 11 years of legal experience, including two years as an assistant prosecuting attorney for Dickinson County.

She also has worked as a public defender in numerous counties throughout the Upper Peninsula and Lower Michigan and is currently assigned to the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission Special Assignment Team, according to a news release.

Anderson attended Cooley Law School, graduating magna cum laude in January 2014. She has significant trial experience and has built relationships with law enforcement, attorneys, clients and the community, the release states.

Anderson, her husband Andy and children live in Dickinson County.

“I am looking forward to using my experience and knowledge to benefit the citizens of Dickinson County and making a meaningful impact on the community,” Anderson said in the news release.

Circuit Court judges Mary B. Barglind and Christopher Ninomiya made the appointment after interviewing several applicants.

“We would like to thank Prosecutor Richards for her service to Dickinson County and we congratulate Attorney Anderson on her ascension to the position of prosecuting attorney,” Barglind and Ninomiya said in a joint statement. “Ms. Anderson had wide-ranging community support for this promotion and she has proven to be an effective advocate in court who is determined to seek justice. We are confident that Attorney Anderson will deliver an extremely high level of commitment and dedication to this position and will work closely with law enforcement, the justice system and the citizens of Dickinson County.”