St. Paul – Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of John H. Guthmann to a Second Judicial District trial court bench vacancy in Ramsey County. The vacancy occurred with the retirement of the Honorable A. James Dickinson on January 1, 2008.

Guthmann is an attorney and partner with the Arden Hills law firm of Hansen, Dordell, Bradt, Odlaug and Bradt. He was the firm’s managing partner from 1999 to 2002, has been a partner since 1990, and was an associate attorney from 1981 through 1989. Guthmann clerked for Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Robert Sheran from 1980 to 1981. Guthmann earned his juris doctorate degree from William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul in 1980, where he was editor-in-chief of the William Mitchell Law Review; and his bachelor of arts degree from Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa in 1976.

“John has achieved a high level of respect in the legal profession for his strong intellect and adept handling of complex civil cases,” Governor Pawlenty said. “He has the knowledge and wisdom to manage the most complex cases that come before the Ramsey County bench, as well as the compassion to treat all who appear before him with dignity.”

Guthmann is a member and past president of the Ramsey County Bar Association where he also serves on the civil litigation section, a member of the Minnesota State Bar Association, and the Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association. He has been recognized professionally as one of “The Best Lawyers in America” in both the personal injury litigation and workers’ compensation categories by Woodward/White, Inc., named a “Super Lawyer” by Minnesota Law & Politics magazine, and listed in “America’s Registry of Outstanding Professionals” and “Leading American Attorneys”. Guthmann’s volunteer activities in the community include serving as a member of the Minnesota Special Education Task Force; Coalition for Children with Disabilities; PACER Center, Inc, where he is a past president and a member of the board of directors; Friends of PACER, Inc., of which he is currently president; First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, a Civil War reenactment organization; Boy Scouts of America Northern Star Council, where he is a member of the board of directors and the Troop 90 Eagle Scout advisor; and Rotary Club of St. Paul. He has also served on the Minnesota Statewide Family Network Board of Directors, Minnesota Institute for Talented Youth, Coalition for Education Reform and Accountability, and the Governor’s Interagency Coordinating Council on Early Childhood Intervention. He was named to the Mpls.St.Paul Magazine’s Volunteer Hall of Fame in 2001.

Guthmann, 53, was born in St. Paul where he lives with his wife, Teresa. They have three children, Alex, 19, Abby and Andy, both 15.