Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Jon M. Hopeman and Randy R. Staver to the Board on Judicial Standards. Both are appointed to four-year terms that expire on January 3, 2011.

Hopeman, of Minneapolis, is an attorney and partner with the Minneapolis law firm of Felhaber, Larson, Fenlon and Vogt, and has been a lawyer with the firm since 1998. He is a trial and appellate lawyer specializing in federal white collar criminal defense, corporate compliance, and commercial and business litigation. Hopeman was previously an attorney and partner with the law firm of Parsinen, Kaplan, Levy, Rosberg and Gottlieb; senior litigation counsel and assistant United States Attorney in the United States Attorney’s office in Minneapolis; and a full-time clinical professor of law at the University of Minnesota Law School. He is also currently an adjunct professor in trial advocacy at the U of M Law School. Hopeman earned his law degree from the University of Minnesota Law School, his masters degree from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, and his bachelors degree from Carleton College in Northfield. Hopeman replaces Robert M. A. Johnson as an attorney member on the board.

Staver, of Rochester, is the Information Technology Unit Head at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. He has held a number of systems analysts positions at Mayo since 1980. Staver is a member and past chair of the Rochester Charter Commission, and also serves on the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Civil Service Commission, and the Olmsted County Planning Advisory Commission. He has also been a member and past chair of the Rochester Planning and Zoning Commission, Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals, Samaritan Bethany Inc. long-term care facilities, and Junior Achievement of Rochester. He also completed the Rochester Citizens Police and Fire Academy courses. Staver earned his master in business administration and bachelor of science degrees from Winona State University, and his associate of arts degree from Rochester Community College. Staver replaces Elizabeth Hepola as a public member on the board.

The Board on Judicial Standards investigates allegations of misconduct by Minnesota judges and referees and recommends discipline to the Minnesota Supreme Court, including censure, suspension, retirement or removal of judges. The board consists of 10 members appointed by the Governor, including one judge of the Court of Appeals, three trial court judges, two attorneys with at least 10 years of experience in the state and four public members.