Saint Paul – Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced that he has accepted the recommendations of the Commission on Judicial Selection for two trial court bench vacancies in the Third Judicial District in Rice County. The vacancies occurred with the retirement of the Honorable William A. Johnson on January 8, 2010, and the retirement of the Honorable Bernard E. Borene on April 1, 2010. The finalists are John T. Cajacob, Adam J. Dowd, Jennifer J. Dunn-Foster, Ross L. Leuning, and Christine A. Long.

Cajacob, of Faribault, is a solo practice attorney in Faribault, a position he has held since 1979. Previously, he was an attorney with Loren Barta in New Prague in 1978. Cajacob earned his juris doctorate degree from William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul in 1978 and his bachelor of arts degree from the University of Minnesota in 1974.

Dowd, of Northfield, is an attorney and partner with the Northfield law firm of Schmitz, Ophaug and Dowd, a position he has held since 1997. Previously, he was a law clerk and an associate attorney with the Cody Law Office in St. Paul from 1994 to 1997. Dowd earned his juris doctorate degree from William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul in 1995, and his bachelor of arts degree from the University of Minnesota in 1987.

Dunn-Foster, of Owatonna, is a solo practice attorney in Owatonna, a position she has held since 2008. Previously, she was an associate attorney with the Dow, Einhaus, Mattison and Carver law firm in Owatonna from 2001 to 2008, and also served as a part-time contact public defender in Owatonna in 2001. She began her law career as a law clerk to Third Judicial District Judge Renee L. Worke in Waseca County from 1999 to 2000, a law clerk in the criminal appeals division of the Minnesota Attorney General’s office from 1998 to 1999, and a law clerk and certified student attorney in the Third Judicial District Public Defender’s office in Owatonna in 1998. Dunn-Foster earned her juris doctorate degree cum laude from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1999, and her bachelor of arts degree summa cum laude from the College of Wooster in Wooster, Ohio in 1990.

Leuning, of Owatonna, is a senior assistant Olmsted County attorney in Rochester, a position he has held since 2007. He has also been a Judge Advocate with the U. S. Naval Reserve since 1991. Leuning was an attorney and partner with the Walbran, Furness and Leuning law firm in Owatonna from 1991 to 2007, an assistant professor at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland from 1989 to 1991, and a Judge Advocate with the U.S. Navy at the Great Lakes Naval Base in Great Lakes, Illinois from 1986 to 1989. Leuning earned his juris doctorate degree from the University of Oregon Law School in Eugene in 1986 and his bachelor of science degree from the University of South Dakota in Vermillion in 1983.

Long, of Owatonna, is an assistant Steele County Attorney in Owatonna, a position she has held since 1991. She was also an associate attorney and partner in the Owatonna law firm of Ruth, Schreiner and Long from 1991 until 1999, when the Steele County Attorney’s office became a full-time position. Long earned her juris doctorate degree from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1991, and her bachelor of arts degree cum laude from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa in 1988.

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 18 applications for these judicial vacancies.