Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Kristine R. DeMay and Earl E. Maus to two Ninth Judicial District trial court bench judgeships in Crow Wing County. The first opening is a new judgeship created by the 2007 Minnesota Legislature (2007 Minnesota Laws, Chapter 54, Article 1, Section 5), which takes effect on January 1, 2008. The second vacancy will occur with the retirement of the Honorable Frederick J. Casey on March 12, 2008. The Supreme Court has certified the chambers of both of these positions for the city of Brainerd in Crow Wing County.

DeMay is an assistant Crow Wing County Attorney in Brainerd, a position she has held since 1997. She was an attorney with the Fitzpatrick, Nelson and Ten Eyck law firm and an assistant city attorney in Brainerd from 1996 to 1997, a Seventh Judicial District law clerk in Detroit Lakes from 1995 to 1996, and worked in the Washington County Public Defender’s office in Stillwater in 1995. DeMay earned her juris doctorate degree from Hamline University School of Law in 1995, and her bachelor of science degree from Illinois State University in Normal in 1990.

“Kristine has a wealth of trial experience trying cases that a trial court judges handles,” Governor Pawlenty said. “In addition, she has shown her willingness to be a problem-solver with her work in helping Crow Wing County start a drug court.”

DeMay is a member of the Minnesota County Attorneys’ Association where she serves on the criminal law committee, Crow Wing County Bar Association, Crow Wing County Drug Court, and Crow Wing County Methamphetamine Coalition.

DeMay, 39, was born in Moline, Illinois, and lives in Merrifield with her family.

Maus is the Cass County Attorney, a position he has held since 1986. He was an assistant Cass County Attorney from 1984 to 1986, an assistant Beltrami County Attorney in 1983, and a law clerk in Ramsey County in 1982. Maus earned his juris doctorate degree from William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul in 1982, and his bachelor of arts degree from St. Cloud State University in 1977.

“Earl’s experience trying cases has taken him all the way to the United States Supreme Court, and in each of the cases he has tried, he has done so in a professional and respectful manner,” Governor Pawlenty said. “He will be a fair and impartial judge who will treat everyone that appears before him with respect.”

Maus is a member of the board of directors and past president of the Minnesota County Attorneys’ Association, where he also chairs the Indian law and peace officer training committees; a member of the National District Attorneys’ Association; Cass County Bar Association; the 15th District Bar Association; and the Northwest Juvenile Center Board of Directors. He is also a team member for the Cass County District Court/Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Wellness Court; Walker Lions Club, where he was president; Knights of Columbus; St. Agnes Catholic Church; and previously served as a member and past president of the Walker Jaycees, a member of the Walker Rotary Club; and on the Family Advocacy Center Board of Directors in Bemidji.

Maus, 53, was born in St. Cloud, and lives in Walker with his wife, Jean. They have two daughters, Laura, 22, and Julia, 21.