Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of B. William Ekstrum and Kenneth L. Jorgensen to two Tenth Judicial District trial court bench vacancies in Washington County.  These vacancies are due to the retirements of the Honorable Stephen L. Muehlberg on September 30, 2005, and the Honorable Gary J. Meyer on October 31, 2005.

Ekstrum is an attorney and shareholder with the Fridley law firm of Newquist and Ekstrum, a position he has held since 1987.  Prior to that, he was an attorney with the Fridley law firm of Smith, Juster, Feikema, Malmon and Haskvitz from 1980 to 1987.  Ekstrum earned his juris doctorate degree from William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul in 1979 and his bachelor of arts degree from the University of Minnesota in 1971.

"Bill has a great breadth and depth of experience in civil as well as criminal law," Governor Pawlenty said.  "He also has a tremendous diversity of life experiences and active participation in the community, which will serve him well as a judge."

Ekstrum is a member of the Minnesota State Bar Association, serving on the Elder, Family and Probate Law Sections; the Anoka County Bar Association; National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys; and chairs the Anoka County Domestic Violence Justice Committee; as well as the Anoka County Order For Protection Oversight Committee.  He is a member of the Fridley/Columbia Heights Rotary Club, serving as president in 2003-2004; a member and past board chair of the Emma B. Howe Family YMCA; a member and past president of the Blaine Area Chamber of Commerce; a member and past president of the Metro North Chamber of Commerce; and a member of the Twin Cities North Chamber of Commerce.  Ekstrum has also held various positions including six years as lay leader of Fridley United Methodist Church, and is a member of the Encore Wind Ensemble and Lake Wobegone Brass Band.

Ekstrum, 57, was born in Minneapolis, and lives in Blaine with his wife, Margaret.  They have two adult children, Karen Burton and Kristen Ruesges, and five grandchildren.

Jorgensen is the director of the Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility, a position he has held since 2002.  He was the Office's first assistant director from 1993 to 2002, senior assistant director from 1988 to 1993 and assistant director from 1984 to 1988.  Jorgensen earned his juris doctorate degree from William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul in 1984 and his bachelor of science degree from Mankato State University cum laude in 1981.

"Ken's career with the Lawyer's Board gives him a unique and valuable perspective as someone who has investigated and prosecuted ethical complaints against lawyers," Governor Pawlenty said.  "In addition, he has the leadership and demeanor to be a great judge."

Jorgensen is a member of the American, Minnesota State, Ramsey County, First, and Seventeenth District Bar Associations.  He is currently secretary of the Seventeenth District Bar Association.  Jorgensen also teaches Professional Responsibility and Legal Practicum at William Mitchell Law School, and has presented over 170 continuing legal education programs in Minnesota as well as other states for 20 years.  He also served as a member of the Supreme Court Advisory Committee on the Code of Judicial Conduct, and was a boys and girls soccer coach and boys floor hockey coach through Maplewood Community Recreation.

Jorgensen, 48, was born in Fairmont, and lives in West Lakeland with his wife, Tricia, and their two children, Sam, 15, and Emily, 13.