ST. PAUL, MN -Today, Governor Mark Dayton announced the appointment of Mr. Andrew R. Pearson as District Court Judge in Minnesota's Seventh Judicial District. Mr. Pearson will be replacing the Honorable Thomas P. Knapp, who retired earlier this year. The judgeship will be chambered at Saint Cloud in Stearns County.
"I am very pleased to appoint Mr. Andrew Pearson to serve Minnesota's Seventh Judicial District," said Governor Dayton. "Throughout his career, Mr. Pearson has demonstrated a strong commitment to justice. His legal experience and strong knowledge of the law have prepared him well to carry out his judicial duties."
Mr. Pearson is a criminal defense attorney at the law firm of Bradshaw and Bryant, P.L.L.C., defending clients in both State and Federal Court. Mr. Pearson also serves as a Public Defender for Stearns and Benton Counties, where he represents civil commitment, guardianship, and paternity clients. Previously, Mr. Pearson served as an Assistant Public Defender for the Seventh Judicial District. He earned his B.A. from Saint John's University and his J.D. with honors from the William Mitchell College of Law.
Additionally, Mr. Pearson currently serves as the President of the Central Minnesota Youth Soccer Association and is a former member of the Board of Directors for the Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
Mr. Pearson resides in Saint Cloud with his family.
Minnesota's Seventh Judicial District consists of Becker, Benton, Clay, Douglas, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Otter Tail, Stearns, Todd, and Wadena Counties.
More information on the Commission on Judicial Selection, as well as vacancies it is currently considering, can be found at
http://mn.gov/governor/appointments/judicial-appointments/
