2 minute read
Karl Seel
Karl
SEEL
Karl Seel arrived in Bozeman just over fifty years ago in 1970 with his family and attended Bozeman High. He’s lived in the area ever since, only leaving to attend college and law school in California and Missoula.
“The list is long,” he said of why he returned to the Gallatin Valley and decided to make his life here.
“It’s the people, it’s the environment, it’s the activities. It’s the cumulative effect of so many things, Seel said. “I can’t think of many places that have all positives going for them, not many negatives.” Seel feels he is able to give back and contribute to the community through his current role as judge, though it was a position he was initially reluctant to run for.
He previously worked for the county attorney’s office before going into private practice. It was there that he was approached by then judge Patricia Carlson to apply for the municipal judge position. “It wasn’t something that I was looking to do, but she was fairly convincing,” he said. Seel has been elected for office four times now, an accomplishment he is “proud of and humbled by.” He has continued to run following the end of each four year term as he found that he enjoys the work. “It’s a rewarding job,” he said. “I feel like [with] what I do I get to give back to the community after living here so long. You feel like you make a difference, especially with young people that come in and [you] point them in the right direction.” Seel is also particularly proud to have been a part of the design process for the Bozeman Public Safety Center, a facility opening next month that will be the new home for the Bozeman Police Department, the new home of the Bozeman Police Department, Fire Station #1, municipal courts and prosecution and victim services. It will also include advanced safety features. “That was a big reward to be able to be involved in that,” he said. “I think it’s a building that Bozeman residents can be proud of.”
In addition to his work, Seel said he has been lucky to have good family and friends in Bozeman.
