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Attorney to run for judge
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DARLINGTON - Darlington attorney Duane Jorgenson is running for circuit court judge for Lafayette County this spring.

Jorgenson said in an email announcing his candidacy Sunday that while his practice has predominantly focused on trial litigation, he has extensive experience in both criminal and civil litigation.

For the past 20 years, Jorgenson has been Lafayette County's corporation counsel for Human Services, handling the county's child protective, adult protective and mental health service matters for the people of Lafayette County.

He was named to the Advisory Board of the Court Improvement Project launched by the State Supreme Court; was named by the National Institute of Trial Advocacy as its outstanding Children's Law Litigator; and was one of 19 family and children law attorneys invited to participate in a professional exchange program in the People's Republic of China by People to People, a U.S. State Department initiative.

Guy Taylor, assistant state public defender for Green and Lafayette counties, announced his candidacy for the position in late November.

The seat is currently held by William Johnston, who has served as judge for 29 years.

Jorgenson is a 1970 graduate of Darlington High School. After graduating from Valparaiso University, Jorgenson earned his law degree from Northern Illinois University.

He is currently on the Darlington Community School District Board and has been board president for the past three years.

Jorgenson and his wife Liz have four children, Duane Jr. (Dewey), Becky, Matt and Amy, and seven grandchildren.