Hastings – Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of David L. Knutson and Michael J. Mayer to two vacancies on the First Judicial District trial court bench in the city of Hastings in Dakota County.  The first opening 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.

“David and Mike both enjoy a high level of respect among members of the bench and the Dakota County Bar,” Governor Pawlenty said.  “They also have a very deep commitment to public service which I know they will bring to the bench.”

Knutson 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.

“I know Dave as a lawyer, legislator and community servant.  His sincerity, integrity and ability will make him an outstanding judge,” Governor Pawlenty said.

Knutson’s professional memberships include the Dakota County, First District and Minnesota State Bar Associations.  He has also served on the Civil Legal Assistance, Juvenile Detention Facilities, Foster Care and Adoption, and Parental Cooperation Task Forces and the Commission on Legal Services, and he is a recipient of the Legal Services Coalition’s Pro Bono Publico Award.  Knutson is a member of the Burnsville, Apple Valley and Northern Dakota County Chambers of Commerce, Burnsville Breakfast Rotary Club, Legal Assistance of Dakota County Board of Directors, Dakota County Technical College Foundation, ServeMinnesota Board of Directors and Prince of Peace Lutheran Church.

Knutson, 44, was born in Minneapolis, and lives in Burnsville with his wife, Laurie, and their two children, Ann, 16, and Tim, 14.

Mayer 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.

“Mike has great energy, a heart for service and he always has a positive attitude.  He makes nearly daily appearances in court, has handled a wide variety of cases, and Mike will hit the ground running as a judge,” Governor Pawlenty said.

Mayer is past president of the Dakota County Bar Association, a member of the Minnesota State Bar Association, Minnesota Trial Lawyers and American Trial Lawyers.  He has been a member of the Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee since 1995 and was appointed chair last year by Governor Pawlenty.  He is also chair of the Midwest region of the Coalition for Juvenile Justice, a member of Congressman Jim Ramstad’s Law Enforcement Advisory Committee, a volunteer attorney with Legal Aid of Dakota County, a member of the Burnsville Police Department Citizen Advisory Board, and a mentor for the First Judicial District Youth in Government Program.  Mayer also coaches girls softball, track and basketball through the Eagan Athletic Association.

Mayer, 44, was born in Chicago, Illinois, and lives in Eagan with his wife, Shannon, and their two children, Claire, 12, and Meghan, 8.