Marshall – Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Michelle A. Dietrich to a Fifth Judicial District trial court bench vacancy certified by the Supreme Court for chambers in Lincoln and Lyon Counties. The vacancy occurred with the retirement of the Honorable George I. Harrelson on June 2, 2008.

Dietrich 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.

“As Redwood County Attorney, Michelle is the chief legal officer in all county matters, but she also personally tries many of the county’s criminal cases, which gives her a diverse professional background,” Governor Pawlenty said. “In addition, she has become widely respected for her work in criminal justice committees and issues facing the court system, which will serve her well as a judge.”

Dietrich is a member of the Minnesota County Attorneys Association where she serves on the Criminal Law and Indian Child Welfare Act Subcommittees and was on the Board of Directors; the National District Attorneys Association; American, Minnesota State, and Redwood County Bar Associations; and the Minnesota Family Support and Recovery Council. She has taught Peace Officers Standards and Training courses on a number of subjects, has been a mock trial judge, and serves on a number of Redwood County committees, including the Jail Committee, Law Library Committee, Sentenced to Service Committee, Child Protection Team, and Children’s Justice Initiative. Dietrich, 38, was born in Emmetsburg, Iowa and lives in Redwood Falls.