Hastings – Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Tim D. Wermager to a new First Judicial District trial court bench judgeship in Dakota County.

This judgeship is one of seven district court judgeships created by the 2007 Legislature (2007 Minnesota Laws, Chapter 54, Article 1, Section 5) that take effect on January 1, 2008. The Minnesota Supreme Court certified the chambers of one position for the city of Hastings in Dakota County.

Wermager is an attorney with the Hastings law firm of O’Connell, Wermager and Warg. He has been an attorney with the firm since 1990. He was an attorney with the Law Office of Harry P. Schoen in Hastings from 1982 to 1990. Wermager earned his juris doctorate degree from the University of Iowa Law School in 1982, and his bachelor of science degree from Mankato State University in 1979.

“Tim has been a Dakota County practitioner for 25 years and has earned a reputation as a hard-working, courteous and thoughtful lawyer who has earned a tremendous level of respect among practitioners and judges,” Governor Pawlenty said. “As a judge, he will be immediately adept at handling the most contentious cases that come before him.”

Wermager is a member of the Dakota County Bar Association, has served as a Minnesota State Bar Association mock trial coach and judge, a Teens in Government Day mentor, a Hastings Family Service Board member, and a Guardian ad Litem in Dakota County. He has also been a Hastings Youth Athletic Association coach, as well as a member of the men’s volleyball and basketball leagues, serving as president of the basketball league for two years.

Wermager, 50, was born in Austin, and lives in Hastings.