Saint Paul -- The Commission on Judicial Selection today announced four finalists for a First Judicial District trial court bench vacancy in McLeod County. The vacancy occurred as a result of the death of the Honorable LeRoy W. Yost on December 31, 2003. The Supreme Court certified the continuation of this judgeship for the city of Glencoe in McLeod County. The finalists are Michael A. Fahey, Michael J. Long, Nancy C. Platto and Michael R. Savre.

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.

Long, of Glencoe, is an attorney and partner in the Glencoe law firm of Theis and Long, a position he has held since 1981. He was an attorney with the law firm of Smith, Hendricksen, Theis, Berens and Long in Glencoe from 1979 to 1981, a solo practitioner in 1979, an assistant Scott County attorney from 1975 to 1979, and an attorney with Legal Aid in Minneapolis in 1975. Long earned his juris doctorate degree from William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul in 1975 and his bachelor of arts degree from the College of St. Thomas in St. Paul in 1970.

Platto, of Chaska, is an attorney in private practice and a part time public defender in Chaska. She has held both positions since 1984. She was a law clerk and an assistant Scott County Attorney from 1983 to 1984. Platto earned her juris doctorate degree from William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul in 1984, her master's degree in education (1976) and bachelor of science degree (1974) from the University of Minnesota.

Savre, of Glencoe, is an attorney and president of the Glencoe law firm of Gavin, Olson, Savre and Winters. He has been an attorney with the firm since 1981. Savre earned his juris doctorate degree cum laude from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1981 and his bachelor of arts degree cum laude from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, in 1977.

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 19 applications for this judicial vacancy.