Faribault – Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Thomas M. Neuville to a Third Judicial District trial court bench vacancy in the city of Faribault in Rice County. The vacancy occurred with the retirement of the Honorable Gerald J. Wolf on September 14, 2007.

Neuville, of Northfield, is an attorney and partner with Grundhoefer, Neuville and Ludescher in Northfield, where he has practiced since 1976. He has served as the Dundas City Attorney since 1990, was the Lonsdale City Attorney from 1978 to 1980, a part-time contract assistant state public defender from 1985 to 1996, and a part-time contract assistant Rice County public defender from 1977 to 1985.

“Tom has experience with a wide variety of cases, has solid legal skills, a congenial style, and a strong commitment to his community,” Governor Pawlenty said.

Neuville is a member of the Minnesota State Bar Association, where he serves on the Elder, Family, and Criminal Law Sections; and is a member of the Supreme Court committee established to review the rules of judicial standards. He was a member of the Minnesota Trial Lawyers Association, Minnesota Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, has served on two judicial selection subcommittees, as well as a task force on criminal sentencing and prisons; and has been a lecturer at continuing legal education seminars on child support laws, and legislative changes to Minnesota’s sexual offender laws.

Neuville is serving his sixth term as a Minnesota state Senator, where he represents Senate District 25. He has been a member of the Senate since 1990, is the ranking minority member of the Public Safety Budget Division, and serves on the Business, Industry and Jobs; Finance; and Judiciary Committees. He is also a member of the Northfield Rotary Club, and the Northfield Area Chamber of Commerce, where he served as president in 1986-87, and was named Northfield Businessperson of the year this year.

Neuville, 57, was born in Marinette, Wisconsin, and lives in Northfield with his wife, Marilynn. They have five children, Mark, John, Anne, Luke, and Meg, and two grandchildren, Sam, and Lucy.