Midland prosecutor appointed as appellate justice

A former assistant district attorney in Midland County is moving into the ranks of judges after his appointment to the 11th Court of Appeals in Eastland.

Eric Kalenak, a 1983 graduate of Odessa High, was selected by Gov. Rick Perry to fill the judge spot in the appellate court after serving 17 years in the Midland County District Attorney’s Office as the appellate prosecutor.

“It’s always been a dream of mine to be an appeals court judge ever since I first became a lawyer,” Kalenak said.

He officially assumed the office Thursday after being appointed to the position July 7, and Midland County has scheduled a special swearing-in ceremony for him at 1:30 p.m. Aug. 17 at the Midlanc County Courthouse.

Kalenak said he likes the research aspect of the law and the appellate justice position will give him an even greater opportunity to explore the law.

“It’s another form of service to the people of the state of Texas,” he said. “It’s very humbling to be recognized for something like this.

His father, Dan Kalenak, said the family is “elated” that his son was appointed to the position.

He said Eric Kalenak is intelligent and analytical, which should serve him well in the position.

“This is quite a surprise. A pleasant surprise,” Dan Kalenak said. “We know he has the qualifications and state of mind for the job.”

Midland County District Attorney Teresa Clingman said she was a co-worker with Eric Kalenak before she became his boss, and she said she believes his integrity is “impeccable.”

“He’s a man of conscious, he’s a man of integrity, he believes in the Constitution and following the law,” she said.

Eric Kalenak put in place a methodology in the office for appeals, Clingman said, and even when he is gone from the office they will be able to continue to do the same quality of work because of the groundwork he laid.

She said he will be an instant success in the appellate court because of his experience going before the same judges in appeals procedures on the other side of the bench.

“Eric approaches things with enthusiasm, whatever he does,” Clingman said. “And I know that he will approach this new position, not only with respect for the office, but with the energy and zeal to learn anything he needs to bring respect to the work he does.”

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