Saint Paul – Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the reappointment of Judges David Stofferahn and Debra Wilson to the Workers’ Compensation Court of Appeals. Both judges are reappointed to six-year terms that expire on January 5, 2015.

Stofferahn, of St. Paul, has been a Workers’ Compensation Court of Appeals judge since 2002. Prior to his appointment to the court, he was an attorney with the law firm of Sieben, Grose, Von Holtum and Carey in Minneapolis from 1976 to 2002. Stofferahn has been recognized numerous times as one of “The Best Lawyers in America” by Woodward and White, and has been named a “Super Lawyer” by Minnesota Law and Politics every year between 1996 and 2002. He has made numerous presentations on workers’ compensation law at continuing legal education seminars. Stofferahn earned his juris doctorate degree cum laude from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1976 and his bachelor of arts degree from the University of Minnesota in 1969. He also served in the United States Navy from 1970 to 1972.

Wilson, of St. Paul, has been a Workers’ Compensation Court of Appeals judge since 1991. She was a compensation judge at the Office of Administrative Hearings from 1986 to 1991, and an attorney and partner with the law firm of Fitch, Johnson, Larson and Walsh in Minneapolis from 1981 to 1986. Prior to earning her law degree, Wilson was a college instructor and high school teacher between 1973 and 1978. She is a frequent lecturer at seminars on workers’ compensation law, a contributing author to The Workers’ Compensation Deskbook, a Moot Court competition judge, and a mentor with William Mitchell’s mentor program. Wilson earned her juris doctorate degree from William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul in 1981, her master of arts degree from the University of Minnesota in 1973, and her bachelor of arts degree from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa in 1971.

The Workers’ Compensation Court of Appeals has statewide appellate jurisdiction over all workers’ compensation appeals. The court consists of five judges appointed by the Governor. Judges serve six-years terms on a full-time basis and are compensated $127,213 annually.