Sweet is new associate judge, replaces retiring Mendelsohn

Wood River attorney Dean Sweet is Madison County's newest associate judge.

Chief Judge Ann Callis' office announced Sweet's selection by press release Tuesday afternoon.

Sweet succeeds retiring Madison County Associate Judge Ralph Mendelsohn.

He was selected by the vote of Third Circuit judges.

Mendelsohn's retirement is effective Dec. 29.

After receiving his law degree from St. Louis University, Sweet served as city attorney for Champaign from 1980 to 1981.

According to the release, Sweet has had his own practice since 2004.

He serves as city attorney for East Alton, Roxana and the St. Louis Regional Airport. Sweet has been an assistant state's attorney for 15 years.

He was previously a partner at Holland & Holland.

He has served as the past president of the Alton-Wood River Bar Association, has served on the board of directors of the Madison County Urban League. He is involved or has been involved in numerous community groups and activities.

In addition to his legal and community work, Sweet received the U.S. Air Force Medal for his service during the Vietnam War.

He is married with two children and three grandchildren.

Sweet was one of 14 area attorneys who applied to fill Mendelsohn's seat.

Mendelsohn served as a judge for a decade and has recently overseen the Arbitration Center in Wood River.