Saint Paul -- The Commission on Judicial Selection today announced five finalists for two First Judicial District trial court bench vacancies.

The first vacancy occurred with the retirement of the Honorable Thomas R. Howe on December 2, 2003. The Supreme Court certified the continuation of this judgeship for Scott County. The second vacancy occurred with the retirement of the Honorable Thomas M. Murphy on January 3, 2004. The Supreme Court certified the continuation of this judgeship for Dakota County.

The finalists are Michael A. Fahey, Diane M. Hanson, Kathryn M. Keena, Michael J. Mayer and Kathryn Davis Messerich.

Fahey, of Carver, is the Carver County Attorney in Chaska, a position he has held since 1987. He was an associate attorney and partner with the Chaska law firm of Nicklaus, Monroe and Fahey from 1978 through 1986. Fahey earned his juris doctorate degree cum laude from St. Louis University School of Law in St. Louis, Missouri in 1978 and his bachelor of arts degree magna cum laude from St. John's University in Collegeville in 1975.

Hanson, of Shakopee, has been an assistant Scott County Attorney in Shakopee since 1996. She was an assistant Morrison County Attorney from 1992 to 1996, a volunteer attorney for the city of St. Paul from 1991 to 1992 and a flight attendant with Northwest Airlines from 1977 to 1992. Hanson earned her juris doctorate degree cum laude from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1991 and her bachelor of arts degree from Kalamazoo College in Kalamazoo, Michigan in 1973.

Keena, of Hastings, has been an assistant Dakota County Attorney since 2000. She was an associate attorney with the Bellingham, Washington law firm of Zender and Thurston from 1997 to 2000, the Lyon County Attorney in Marshall from 1992 to 1997, an assistant Lyon County attorney from 1990 to 1992 and a public defender with the Velde Law Firm in Alexandira from 1989 to 1990. Keena earned her juris doctorate degree from Hamline University School of Law in St. Paul in 1989 and her bachelor of arts degree magna cum laude from Minnesota State University, Moorhead, in 1986.

Mayer, of Eagan, is a partner with the Eagan law firm of Grannis and Hauge. He has been an attorney with the firm since 1989. He was an associate attorney with the South St. Paul law firm of Grannis, Grannis, Farrell and Knutson from 1986 to 1989 and an associate attorney with the Eagan law firm of Hauge, Eide and Keller from 1985 to 1986. Mayer earned his juris doctorate degree from Hamline University School of Law in St. Paul in 1985 and his bachelor or arts degree with honors from St. Mary's University in Winona in 1981.

Messerich, of Mendota Heights, is an attorney and shareholder with the Minneapolis law firm of Halleland, Lewis, Nilan, Sipkins and Johnson, a position she has held since 2000. She was an associate general counsel for Allina Health System in Minnetonka from 1997 through 1999, an associate attorney and shareholder with the Minneapolis law firm of Bassford, Lockhart, Truesdell and Briggs from 1991 to 1997, and an associate attorney with the Minneapolis law firm of Lommen, Nelson, Cole and Stageberg from 1987 to 1991. Messerich earned her juris doctorate degree from William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul in 1987, her master of science degree in maternal-child nursing in 1984 and her bachelor of science degree from Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Michigan, in 1979.

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 38 applications for these judicial vacancies.