Saint Paul – Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced that he has accepted the recommendations of the Commission on Judicial Selection for two Fifth Judicial District trial court bench vacancies. The first vacancy occurred with the retirement of the Honorable David E. Christensen effective on March 4, 2008. The Minnesota Supreme Court certified the chambers of this judgeship for Watonwan County. The second vacancy will occur with the retirement of the Honorable George I. Harrelson effective on June 2, 2008. The Supreme Court certified the chambers of this judgeship for both Lincoln and Lyon Counties. The finalists are Gregory J. Anderson, Michael W. Cable, Michelle A. Dietrich, Cecil E. Naatz, Troy G. Timmerman, and Terry W. Viesselman.

Anderson, of North Mankato, is an assistant Fifth Judicial District public defender in Mankato, a position he has held since 1994. Previously, he was an assistant Mankato city attorney from 1989 to 1994, and a Fifth Judicial District law clerk in Mankato from 1987 to 1989. Anderson earned his juris doctorate degree from the University of Minnesota in 1987, and his bachelor of arts degree from the University of Minnesota College of Liberal Arts in 1984.

Cable, of Marshall, is an attorney and owner of the Quarnstrom and Doering law firm in Marshall, a position he has held since 2005. He was an attorney and owner of the firm’s predecessor, Quarnstrom, Doering, Pederson, Leary, and Murphy, as well as the Lincoln County attorney from 1979 through 2004; and an associate attorney with the firm as well as an assistant Lincoln County attorney from 1975 through 1978. Cable earned his doctor of jurisprudence degree from Indiana University School of Law in Bloomington in 1975, and his bachelor of science degree from Indiana University in 1972.

Dietrich, of Redwood Falls, is the Redwood County attorney in Redwood Falls, a position she has held since 1997. She was an assistant Redwood County attorney from 1995 to 1997, and a Ninth Judicial District law clerk in Bemidji and Clearwater from 1994 to 1995. Dietrich earned her juris doctorate degree from Hamline University School of Law in St. Paul in 1994, and her bachelor of arts degree from Central University of Iowa in Pella in 1991.

Naatz, of Marshall, is the managing attorney in the Fifth Judicial District public defender’s office in Marshall, a position he has held since 1995. He was a solo practitioner in Marshall from 1985 to 1995, and an associate attorney with the Blaufuss and Stoneberg law firm in Marshall from 1980 to 1984.

Naatz earned his juris doctorate degree cum laude from the University of Minnesota in 1980, his bachelor of arts and bachelor of science degree summa cum laude from Mankato State University in 1976, and his associate of arts degree from Austin Community College in 1974.

Timmerman, of Blue Earth, is the managing attorney in the Fifth Judicial District public defender’s office in Fairmont, a position he has held since 2004. He was an assistant Fifth Judicial District public defender in Blue Earth from 1995 to 2004 as well as an attorney with the Wendland Timmerman law firm in Blue Earth from 1994 to 2004. He was also a mediator with WT Mediation Services in Blue Earth from 2000 to 2004. Timmerman earned his juris doctorate degree from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1994, and his bachelor of arts degree from the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls in 1991.

Viesselman, of Fairmont, is an attorney and partner with the Viesselman and Barke law firm in Fairmont and Blue Earth, a position he has held since 1985. He has also been the Martin County attorney in Fairmont since 1995. Previously, he was a part-time Fifth Judicial District public defender in Martin and Faribault Counties in 1994, an assistant Martin County attorney from 1985 to 1991, and an associate attorney with the Erickson, Zierke, Kuderer and Madsen law firm in Fairmont from 1978 to 1985. Viesselman earned his juris doctorate degree from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1978, and his bachelor of arts degree from the University of Minnesota magna cum laude in 1975.

The Commission on Judicial Selection screens judicial candidates and makes recommendations to the Governor for district court vacancies that occur during the term of a judge. The commission consists of 13 members: nine at-large members and four members from the judicial district. The commission members include attorneys and non-attorneys appointed by the Governor and the Minnesota Supreme Court. The commission received a total of 23 applications for these judicial vacancies.