By Richard Crawford

James Keeler, who was sworn in as the new lead attorney in Carver County Friday, compared his new job to the start of a trial.

“I tell families of the victims, I can’t guarantee the outcome of this trial,” Keeler said. “I can only guarantee that I will do my best.”

Keeler, of Chanhassen, was given the oath of office by Judge Michael Fahey in front of a crowd of friends, family and county employees.

Fahey, who vacated the county attorney’s position earlier this year to take the judicial post, hired Keeler as an assistant Carver County attorney in 1990. Most recently, Keeler has been an assistant attorney in Hennepin County.

Keeler was appointed by the Carver County Board to compete Fahey’s elected term, which expires in 2010.

Keeler’s appointment marks the end of several months of transition in the attorney’s office.

After Fahey announced his resignation, Fahey’s chief deputy, Kari Myrold, who was serving as interim county attorney, announced her resignation just as the process was starting to fill Fahey’s unexpired term. After Myrold resigned, Bob Hendricks, who had been leading the civil division in the County Attorney’s Office, also resigned. Keeler has said it would be an immediate priority to hire a chief deputy and an assistant in the civil division of the office.

But Friday was a day to celebrate with family and friends. He and his family have lived in Chanhassen for 17 years.

“To be able to come back home is really quite a kick,” he said after the swearing in ceremony.

 Richard Crawford can be reached at editor@chanvillager.com.