Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced that he has accepted the recommendations of the Commission on Judicial Selection for two trial court bench vacancies in the Tenth Judicial District. These judgeships are new positions created by the 2007 Minnesota Legislature (2007 Minnesota Laws, Chapter 54, Article 1, Section 5), which take effect on January 1, 2008. The Supreme Court has certified the chambers of both these judgeships for the city of Anoka in Anoka County.

The finalists are Thomas M. Fitzpatrick, Sherri D. Hawley, Kristin C. Larson, Mark W. Malzahn, and Gerald M. Randall.

Fitzpatrick, of Anoka, is an attorney and partner with the law firm of Randall, Goodrich and Fitzpatrick in Anoka. He has been an attorney with the firm since 1986. He was an attorney with the law firm of Burke and Hawkins in Coon Rapids from 1983 to 1985 and an assistant Blue Earth County Attorney in Mankato from 1981 to 1983. Fitzpatrick earned his juris doctorate degree from William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul in 1981, and his bachelor of science degree with honors from St. Cloud State University in 1975.

Hawley, of Hugo, is a self-employed attorney and a case resolution expeditor for Anoka County, positions she has held since 2007. She was an attorney with the Minneapolis law firm of Walling, Berg and Debele from 2003 to 2007, a solo practitioner and part-time Tenth Judicial District assistant public defender from 1998 to 2003, an associate attorney with the Minneapolis law firm of Meshbesher and Associates from 1997 to 1999, acting Kanabec County Attorney in 1997, an assistant Kanabec County Attorney from 1995 to 1997, a solo practitioner in St. Paul in 1994, and a contract attorney with Ken Jacobs in Forest Lake from 1993 to 1994. Hawley earned her juris doctorate degree from the University of California Hastings College of Law in San Francisco in 1992, and her bachelor of arts degree cum laude from North Central University in Minneapolis in 1988.

Larson, of Lino Lakes, is an assistant Anoka County attorney, a position she has held since 1990. Larson was an assistant Wright County attorney from 1988 to 1990, executive director, attorney and, volunteer attorney coordinator of Legal Assistance of Dakota County from 1986 to 1988, a staff attorney with Hyatt Legal Services in Bloomington from 1985 to 1986, and a volunteer attorney with Mid-Minnesota Legal Services in Minneapolis from 1984 to 1985. Larson earned her juris doctorate degree from George Washington University Law School in 1984 and her bachelor of arts degree cum laude from Carleton College in Northfield in 1981.

Malzahn, of Elk River, is an attorney with Malzahn and Associates in Anoka, a position he has held since 1983. Malzahn earned his juris doctorate degree from Hamline University School of Law in St. Paul in 1983, and his bachelor of arts degree from St. Cloud State University in 1979.

Randall, of Blaine, is an attorney and partner with the law firm of Randall, Goodrich and Fitzpatrick in Anoka. He has been an attorney with the firm and its predecessors since 1980. He was an attorney in private practice in Anoka from 1976 to 1979, and an associate attorney with the Edward E. Coleman Law Offices in Anoka from 1970 to 1976. Randall earned his juris doctorate degree from William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul in 1970, and his bachelor of arts degree from St. Olaf College in Northfield in 1966.

The Commission on Judicial Selection screens judicial candidates and makes recommendations to the Governor for district court vacancies that occur during the term of a judge. The commission consists of 13 members: nine at-large members and four members from the judicial district. The commission members include attorneys and non-attorneys appointed by the governor and the Minnesota Supreme Court. The commission received 28 applications for these judicial vacancies.