Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the process that he will use to fill an upcoming vacancy on the Minnesota Court of Appeals.  The vacancy will occur with the retirement of the Honorable Robert H. Schumacher on September 9, 2005.  Judge Schumacher has served as a Judge of the Court of Appeals since December 1, 1987 and previously was a Fourth Judicial District Judge in Hennepin County.

Licensed Minnesota attorneys who have been a resident of the Third Congressional District for at least one year who wish to apply for appointment should submit a letter of interest, resume, and six to 10 references via U.S. Mail to:

                                    John Hultquist, Judicial Appointments Coordinator

                                    Office of Governor Tim Pawlenty

                                    130 State Capitol

                                    75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard

                                    St. Paul, MN  55155

Materials may also be sent via email to john.hultquist@state.mn.us or fax to 651-296-0056.

All candidates who wish to be considered must submit their materials so they are received by the Governor's office no later than 4:30 p.m. on Monday, August 15, 2005.

Governor Pawlenty has designated an eight-member ad hoc screening committee to review resumes and make recommendations to him.  The committee members are:

            Eric Magnuson, chair, attorney with Rider Bennett in Minneapolis

            Rene Diebold, attorney in private practice in Marshall

            Mary Ellen Domeier, executive officer of the New Ulm Area Catholic Schools

            Karen Himle, executive vice president of Children's Hospitals and Clinics

            John Hultquist, Governor's judicial appointments coordinator

            Karen Janisch, general counsel to the Governor

            Dan McElroy, Governor's chief of staff

            Ronald Schutz, attorney with Robins, Kaplan, Miller and Ciresi in Minneapolis

 The Minnesota Court of Appeals has jurisdiction of appeals from all final decisions of trial courts other than conciliation courts except for appeals in election contests, convictions of murder in the first degree and appeals from the Workers' Compensation Court of Appeals and the Tax Court, which are appealed directly to the Supreme Court.  The Court of Appeals consists of 16 judges; eight judges who serve at-large, and eight judges who are initially appointed - one each - from the state's eight congressional districts.