Governor Gordon Appoints Mark Klaassen as Judge

Mark Klaassen fills the vacant district court seat in Laramie County following the retirement of Peter Froelicher.

Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in People

Governor Gordon Appoints Mark Klaassen as Judge

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Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon has appointed former U.S. attorney Mark Klaassen as the new Laramie County District Court judge. Klaassen replaces Peter Froelicher, who recently retired from the bench.

Why it matters

The appointment ensures a continuation of judicial leadership in the Cheyenne-based court after being recommended by the Judicial Nominating Commission. Klaassen brings extensive federal legal experience to the local district court vacancy.

Klaassen holds a finance degree from Oral Roberts University and earned a law degree from the University of Notre Dame in 1998. He previously served as U.S. attorney for the District of Wyoming from 2017 to 2021.

The players

Mark Gordon

Mark Gordon serves as the Governor of Wyoming and is responsible for making appointments to state judicial positions.

Mark Klaassen

Mark Klaassen is an attorney who has held multiple federal legal positions including U.S. attorney for the District of Wyoming.

Peter Froelicher

Peter Froelicher is the retired district court judge whose departure created the vacancy in Laramie County.

The details

Klaassen brings experience from his time as an assistant U.S. attorney between 2009 and 2017 and as chief of staff to the general counsel for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Governor Gordon selected him for the post based on a recommendation by the Judicial Nominating Commission.

Mark Klaassen earned his law degree in 1998.
He served as assistant U.S. attorney from 2009 to 2017.
He held the position of U.S. attorney from 2017 to 2021.
The appointment was officially announced on October 30, 2026.

Market Landscape

This appointment follows the standard vetting procedures established by the Wyoming Judicial Nominating Commission for filling district court vacancies. It marks a transition in Laramie County leadership following the departure of a long-standing judge.

The transition in the judiciary ensures that Laramie County District Court proceedings in Cheyenne will continue under new leadership. Residents involved in pending legal matters will be transitioned to the new judge assigned to the court.

The takeaway

This appointment brings a high level of federal-level legal experience to the local district bench. Residents with active cases in Laramie County can expect the court to continue its normal schedule under the newly appointed judge.