ST. PAUL, MN - Today, Governor Mark Dayton announced the reappointments of Mary Al Balber, Jerry Blackwell, Randy Kehr, Linda Krug, Tim O'Brien, and William Sieben as at-large members of the Minnesota Commission on Judicial Selection. These at-large members will serve alongside the Chair of the Commission, Lee Sheehy, whose reappointment was announced last month. The terms of these members will expire on Monday, January 7, 2019.

Mary Al Balber: Ms. Balber works as an Assistant General Counsel for the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, where she provides legal advice and guidance to 31 public institutions. She also serves as an associate judge with the Grand Portage Band of Ojibwe, and is a member of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe. She has previously served as the Assistant City Attorney for Minneapolis, Solicitor General for the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Indians, and as staff attorney for Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services in Saint Paul. She earned her BS from Northern Michigan University and her JD from Hamline University School of Law.

Jerry Blackwell: Mr. Blackwell is the founding partner, CEO, and Chairman of Blackwell Burke PA, where he serves as national and trial counsel for several major corporations. He is a founder of the Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers, and has been named a Minnesota Litigation Star, a BTI Client Service MVP, and a BTI Client Service All-Star. Mr. Blackwell was the 2014 recipient of the National Bar Association's Cora T. Walker Award for leadership, and his firm was named the 2014 "Business of the Year" by the Minnesota Black Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Blackwell earned his BS from the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill and his JD from the University of North Carolina School of Law.

Randy Kehr: Mr. Kehr is the Executive Director of the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce. He also serves as the Vice Chair of the Board of Directors for KSMQ Public Television and the Co-Chair of the National Vitality Center Board of Directors. In addition, he is a board member of the Greater Minnesota Partnership. Mr. Kehr is a former member of the City of Albert Lea's Charter Commission, and is an Ex-Officio member of the Albert Lea Economic Development Agency Board and the Albert Lea Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Linda Krug: Ms. Krug is the CEO of Krug Consulting and Mediation. Previously, she served as the Co-Director of the Masters in Advocacy and Political Leadership Program at the University of Minnesota Duluth. She has held a number of prestigious roles through the University, serving as the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and President of the Faculty Union. She is also an at-large member of the Duluth City Council, a Director of Park State Bank, and a board member of the St. Luke's Hospital Foundation. Ms. Krug earned her BA and MA from Miami University and her PhD from the University of Nebraska.

Tim O'Brien: Mr. O'Brien currently serves as an arbitrator of commercial disputes, after retiring last year as a partner at Faegre Baker Daniels. His most involved community commitment is serving as a member of the Board of Directors of ARC Greater Twin Cities. Mr. O'Brien also donates his time as a Trustee of the Hennepin County Law Library and a member of the Edina Heritage Preservation Board. He earned his BA from the University of Minnesota and his JD from the University of Minnesota Law School.

William Sieben: Mr. Sieben is currently a partner at Schwebel Goetz and Sieben. He has served the state through many prominent cases, such as the record-setting class action lawsuit Braun v. Walmart. Mr. Sieben's many legal accomplishments have led him to be elected President of the Minnesota Association for Justice, as well as President of the Minnesota Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates. Mr. Sieben's presence within the community includes serving on the Regina Hospital Foundation and participating as a debate judge and youth hockey coach. Mr. Sieben earned his BA from Saint Cloud State University and his JD from William Mitchell College of Law.

The Commission on Judicial Selection solicits, considers, and recommends candidates to the Governor for vacancies in the District Trial Courts and the Workers' Compensation Court of Appeals. Upon request by the Governor, the Commission has also considered candidates to the appellate courts. It is a joint Commission, appointed by the Governor and the Supreme Court, and made up of nine at-large members, including the Chair, and four district members from each of the ten Judicial Districts. Commission members appointed by the Governor, including the Chair, serve at the pleasure of the Governor.

More information on the Commission on Judicial Selection and Governor Dayton's judicial appointments can be found at /governor/appointments/judicial-appointments/index.htmhttp://mn.gov/governor/appointments/judicial-appointments/