Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Tammi A. Fredrickson, Douglas B. Meslow, and Barry A. Sullivan to three trial court bench vacancies in the Tenth Judicial District in Anoka County. The vacancies are as a result of the retirement of Judge Joseph Quinn on June 30, 2006, the retirement of Judge James A. Morrow on August 2, 2006, and the upcoming retirement of Judge Edward W. Bearse on December 12, 2006. Thirty-one people applied for these positions.

Fredrickson is the Coon Rapids City Attorney, a position she has held since 2005. She was an assistant Coon Rapids City Attorney from 1995 to 2005, and an associate attorney with the law firm of Morrison and Fenske in Edina from 1992 to 1995. Fredrickson earned her juris doctorate degree magna cum laude from William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul in 1992, and her bachelor of arts degree from the University of Minnesota in 1987.

“Tammi has a combination of professional experience as a lawyer who has tried hundreds of cases in the courtroom as well as administrative experience outside the courtroom that will benefit her as a judge,” Governor Pawlenty said. “Additionally, her intellect, involvement in professional associations as well as in the community, and the leadership positions she has held will make her a great judge.”

Fredrickson is a past president of the Anoka County Bar Association and is a member of the International Municipal Lawyers Association, Minnesota Women Lawyers, and Minnesota State Bar Association, where she serves on the Public Law and Criminal Law sections. She is a coordinator with Minnesota StandDown, an annual court for homeless veterans, and trains volunteers at Alexandra House, a domestic abuse shelter. Fredrickson is also an assistant coach with the Coon Rapids Fastpitch Softball Association, a frequent classroom speaker at Coon Rapids and Andover High Schools, a parent volunteer at Sand Creek Elementary School, funeral lunch volunteer at Epiphany Catholic Church, and a Basilica Block Party volunteer.

Fredrickson, 40, was born in Sudbury, Ontario, and lives in Coon Rapids with her husband, Tom, and their two children, Kate, 11, and Michael, 8.

Meslow has been an attorney and partner with the White Bear Lake law firm of Meslow and Olson since 1997, and is serving his second term in the Minnesota House of Representatives. Meslow was a solo practitioner in White Bear Lake from 1995 to 1997, an attorney and partner with the Geck and Meslow law firm in White Bear Lake from 1992 to 1995, an associate attorney with the law firm of Sweeney and Bohrer in St. Paul from 1988 to 1992, an associate attorney with the law firm of Salmen and Brinkman in St. Paul from 1985 to 1988, and an associate attorney with the law firm of Moss and Barnett in Minneapolis from 1984 to 1985. Meslow earned his juris doctorate degree from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1984 and his bachelor of arts degree from St. Olaf College in Northfield in 1981.

“Doug has a reputation as a bright, thoughtful, fair, and even-tempered person,” Governor Pawlenty said. “As an attorney, he has demonstrated that he is well-qualified for a judgeship; and as a legislator, he has shown that he has the added intangible of being a consensus-builder as he comes up with solutions to the issues that challenge the community.”

Meslow is a Minnesota State High School League football official; a member of the White Bear Lake Chamber of Commerce; an instructor of business law at the University of Minnesota Academic Health Center, an instructor with the Maplewood/White Bear Lake Police Reserves, and the White Bear Lake Citizens Academy; and a member of the Minnesota State and Ramsey County Bar Associations. He also served as vice chair of the White Bear Lake Area School Board, a founding member of the White Bear Lake Area Educational Foundation Board, a member of the Northeast Family YMCA Board, an instructor with the Century College Law Enforcement Training Program, and a youth sports coach.

Meslow, 47, was born in San Antonio, Texas, and lives in White Bear Lake with his wife, Jenny. They have two sons, Peter and Scott.

Since 1988, Sullivan has been an associate attorney with William G. Hawkins and Associates law firm in Anoka, and serves as an assistant city attorney for Andover, Anoka and Lino Lakes. Previously, he was an attorney and partner with the Coon Rapids law firm of Stockman, Sullivan and Sadowski from 1983 to 1988. Sullivan earned his juris doctorate degree cum laude from Hamline University School of Law in St. Paul in 1983, and his bachelor of arts degree from the University of Minnesota in 1980.

“In addition to practicing law in Anoka County for over 23 years, Barry has worked behind the scenes to help solve the problems that face the community’s legal system,” Governor Pawlenty said. “Barry also has a very disarming style that will put lawyers and litigants who appear before him at ease.” Sullivan is a member of the Minnesota State and Anoka County Bar Associations, Judicare of Anoka County Board of Directors, and heads up the Anoka County Internal Criminal Case Handling Committee. He has also taught POST-approved training of police officers in the areas of DUI and domestic violence, and presented Continuing Legal Education seminars for Tenth Judicial District law clerks.

Sullivan, 53 lives in Coon Rapids, with his wife, Janet. He has three adult stepdaughters and one two-year old granddaughter.