ST. PAUL, MN - The Commission on Judicial Selection announced today it is recommending three candidates to Governor Mark Dayton for consideration to fill the current vacancy in Minnesota's Second Judicial District. This vacancy was created upon the retirement of The Honorable Marybeth Dorn. This district court judgeship will be chambered at Saint Paul in Ramsey County in the Second Judicial District.

 

Shawn Bartsh: Ms. Bartsh maintains a solo law practice in Saint Paul, where she handles civil matters while also serving as a conciliation court referee for Ramsey County. She is also an arbitrator and mediator in contested matters and as an arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association. Previously, Ms. Bartsh was an adjunct professor with William Mitchell College of Law and practiced with Karon, Jepsen and Daly. She is a past President of the Ramsey County Bar Association and remains active with both the Highland Business Association and Highland District Council.

 

Jennifer Frisch: Ms. Frisch currently is Associate General Counsel for the University of Minnesota, handling civil litigation on behalf of the Regents of the University of Minnesota. Previously, she was an attorney at Kelly and Berens, P.A., where she practiced commercial litigation. Ms. Frisch is a member of the Federal Practice Committee and the Minnesota Supreme Court Advisory Committee on the General Rules of Practice for District Courts. Ms. Frisch is also a member of the Diversity Committee for the Minnesota Chapter of the Federal Bar Association, serves as an instructor at the University of Minnesota Law School, and teaches English classes at Neighborhood House in Saint Paul.

 

Thomas Plunkett: Mr. Plunkett maintains his own private law practice at Plunkett Law Office, where he focuses in criminal defense matters. He previously worked as an attorney with Dudley and Smith P.A. and was the Chief Law Clerk at the Ramsey County Public Defender's Office. Mr. Plunkett served as a military pilot and JAG officer for the Army Reserve and Minnesota Army National Guard from 1988-2006. He regularly volunteers with the Center for Victims of Torture and serves as the Vice President of the Ramsey County Bar Association.

 

Minnesota's Second Judicial District consists of Ramsey County.

 

An announcement of the appointment will be made following an interview process over the next few weeks.