Saint Paul – Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced that he has accepted the recommendations of the Commission on Judicial Selection for a Sixth Judicial District trial court bench vacancy in the city of Duluth in St. Louis County. The vacancy occurred with the retirement of the Honorable Gerald C. Martin on October 1, 2009. The Minnesota Supreme Court certified the continuation of Judge Martin’s vacancy for the city of Duluth in St. Louis County. The finalists are Gary W. Bjorklund, Dale O. Harris, and Michael W. Lien.

Bjorklund, of Duluth, is an assistant St. Louis County Attorney, a position he has held since 1983. Previously, he was an associate attorney with the law firm of Qualley, Larson and Jones in Duluth from 1982 to 1983. Bjorklund earned his juris doctorate degree cum laude from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1982, and his bachelor of arts degree with high distinction from the University of Minnesota – Morris in 1979.

Harris, of Hermantown, is an assistant St. Louis County Attorney, a position he has held since 2004. He was the chief deputy St. Louis County court administrator in Duluth from 2001 to 2004, a litigation associate attorney with the Hanft Fride law firm in Duluth from 2000 to 2001, and a judge advocate with the United States Navy in Everett/Bremerton, Washington, and in Washington, D.C. from 1993 to 2000. Harris earned his juris doctorate degree cum laude from Hamline University School of Law in St. Paul in 1993, and his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Minnesota in 1990.

Lien, of Duluth, is a solo practice attorney in Duluth, a position he has held since 2008. Previously, he was an attorney and partner with the Stauber and Lien law firm in Duluth from 1987 to 2008, an attorney with Bankers Systems, Inc. in St. Cloud from 1986 to 1987, and an attorney with the Lawrence B. Stauber, Jr., law firm in Duluth from 1983 to 1986. Lien earned his juris doctorate degree from William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul in 1983, and his bachelor of arts degree magna cum laude from Concordia College in Moorhead in 1979.

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 seven applications for this judicial vacancy.