Glencoe -- Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Michael R. Savre to a First Judicial District trial court bench vacancy in the city of Glencoe in McLeod County. The vacancy occurred as a result of the death of the Honorable LeRoy W. Yost on December 31, 2003.

Savre 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, who is a qualified mediator and arbitrator in civil and family law, has also been the Norwood Young America City Attorney since 1982. 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.

"For 23 years, Mike's practice has been in the areas of civil, criminal and family law. He has represented both plaintiffs and defendants in civil as well as criminal cases," Governor Pawlenty said. "His background has prepared him for the caseload of a district court judge. In addition, his involvement in the Glencoe community and knowledge of the McLeod County court system make him well-suited to this judgeship."

Savre is a member of the Minnesota State Bar, McLeod County Bar, and Eighth District Bar Associations and served on the Eighth District Bar Ethics Committee. He is on the Glencoe Hospital Ethics Committee and Glencoe Country Club Board, where he is currently president. Savre was a member and president of the Christ Lutheran Church Council, was on the Glencoe Early Childhood/Family Education Advisory Committee and was Secretary/Treasurer of the McLeod County Parent's Anonymous Board. He has also been a Glencoe community education boys and girls basketball coach, Glencoe Jaycee's youth football coach, Minnesota State High School League football official, and an Odyssey of the Mind judge.

Savre, 49, was born in El Paso, Texas, raised in Edina, and lives in Glencoe with his wife, Janet, and two children, Lisa, 18, and Tim, 13.