A Williams County court magistrate will take her new seat as judge a few weeks earlier than expected following her appointment by Gov. Mike DeWine. Karen K. Gallagher will assume duties as Juvenile/Probate Court judge on Dec. 31. She was elected to that position, without opposition, in the Nov. 3 general election. Her term was to begin Feb. 9, 2021. âFor the continuity of operations of the court, I am very pleased for this appointment by Gov. DeWine,â Gallagher said in a prepared statement issued to The Bryan Times. âThis allows us to transition smoothly from the court under Judge Bird to the beginning of my elected term on Feb. 9, 2021. I look forward to this role and the challenges that face our youth, our families and our community.