Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Richard C. Ilkka to a Tenth Judicial District trial court bench vacancy in the city of Stillwater in Washington County. The opening occurred as a result of the retirement of the Honorable John Edward Cass on February 2, 2007.

Ilkka has been a self-employed attorney in Stillwater since 1990, a contract Washington County civil public defender since 1989, and the Oakdale city attorney since 1993. He was an attorney with the Magnuson Law Firm in Stillwater from 1989 to 1990 and a Tenth Judicial District law clerk in Stillwater from 1987 to 1989. Ilkka earned his juris doctorate degree (1986) and his bachelor of arts degree (1983) from the University of Minnesota.

“Rich has practiced law in Stillwater since graduating law school, and has earned a tremendous level of respect among lawyers, judges and court staff for his intellect, work ethic, and demeanor,” Governor Pawlenty said. “He will be a great addition to the Washington County bench.”

Ilkka is past president of the 19th District Bar Association and past chair of its Ethics Committee. He is also a member of the Washington County Bar Association, and has served on the Washington County Mentally Ill Offender Task Force, Washington County Courts Planning Committee, Washington County Crime Victims Ad Hoc Committee, Oakdale Citizens Academy, and the local organizing committee of the 150th Anniversary of the Judiciary in Minnesota in 1999. He was also given the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Award of Recognition for achievement in the prosecution of DUI offenders in 1994.

Ilkka, 45, was born in Minneapolis, grew up in Stillwater, and lives in Oak Park Heights with his wife, Anne, and their two children.