St. Paul – Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Christopher J. Harristhal to the Minnesota Combative Sports Commission.

Harristhal, of Minneapolis, is an attorney and shareholder with the law firm of Larkin, Hoffman, Daly and Lindgren in Bloomington, where he practices in the business litigation as well as the labor and employment law sections. Harristhal earned his law degree cum laude from the University of Minnesota Law School, and his bachelor’s degree from Hamline University in St. Paul. His experience in mixed martial arts includes earning a first degree black belt in 23 months from the National Karate Schools, and a second degree black belt two years later. He fought competitively for 20 years, was given the “Top Competitor” award by the National Karate Schools in 1993, and has officiated at a number of point fighting tournaments. Harristhal is appointed to a position for a person with knowledge of the mixed martial arts industry on the Combative Sports Commission, and is appointed to complete RD Brown’s four-year term that expires on January 6, 2014.

The Minnesota Combative Sports Commission has sole direction, supervision, regulation, control, and jurisdiction over all boxing and tough person contests held within the state; sole control, authority, and jurisdiction over all licenses; may adopt rules including, but not limited to, the conduct of boxing exhibitions, bouts, fights, and their manner, supervision, time, and place; and must adopt unified rules for mixed martial arts. The Minnesota Combative Sports Commission, whose purpose is to protect health, promote safety, and ensure fair boxing and mixed martial arts events, consists of nine members appointed by the Governor, one of whom must be a retired Minnesota judge, three of whom must have knowledge of the boxing industry, and four of whom must have knowledge of the mixed martial arts industry.