Saint Paul -- The Commission on Judicial Selection today announced five finalists for two First Judicial District trial court bench vacancies in Dakota County. The first vacancy occurred with the retirement of the Honorable Duane R. Harves on February 29, 2004. The second vacancy occurred with the retirement of the Honorable Thomas R. Lacy on March 23, 2004. The finalists are David A. Jaehne, Kathryn M. Keena, David L. Knutson, Caroline H. Lennon, and Michael J. Mayer.

Jaehne, of Eagan, has been a solo practitioner in West St. Paul since 1985. He is also a contract First Judicial District assistant public defender, a parenting time evaluator, and was the Dakota County Guardian Ad-Litem coordinator. Jaehne was an attorney with the St. Paul law firm of Mansur, O'Leary and Gabriel from 1984 to 1985, a private practice attorney in St. Paul from 1982 to 1983 and an attorney and prosecutor with the Stillwater law firm of Turrentine and Magnusson from 1978 to 1982. Jaehne earned his juris doctorate degree from William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul in 1981 and his bachelor's degree from the University of Minnesota 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.

Knutson, of Burnsville, is an attorney and shareholder in the law firm of Severson, Sheldon, Dougherty and Molenda in Apple Valley, a position he has held since 2001. He has also been a State Senator since 1993. Knutson started his legal career in 1986 with Knutson and Knutson and has continued to practice in Burnsville with its successor firms until becoming a solo practitioner in 1998. Knutson earned his juris doctorate degree from William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul in 1986 and his bachelor of arts degree from St. Olaf College in Northfield in 1982.

Lennon, of Mendota Heights, is an assistant Hennepin County Attorney in Minneapolis, a position she has held since 1990. She has also been appointed as a special assistant county attorney in Ramsey, Dakota, Washington, and Scott counties on individual cases. Lennon was a law clerk in the Hennepin County Attorney's office from 1988 through 1989. Lennon earned her juris doctorate degree from William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul in 1989 and her bachelor of arts degree from St. Olaf College in Northfield in 1985.

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 of arts degree with honors from St. Mary's University in Winona in 1981.

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 40 applications for these judicial vacancies.