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 Third Judicial District. This vacancy was created upon the retirement of the Honorable Robert Birnbaum, and will be chambered at Rochester in Olmsted County.
Jacob C. Allen: Mr. Allen currently serves as a partner and attorney at O'Brien and Wolf, LLP, where his practice focuses on criminal, commitment, and guardianship matters. Previously, he was an owner and attorney at Allen and Associates, LLC, and prior to that, was an Assistant Public Defender for the Third Judicial District. Mr. Allen is a volunteer with the Schaeffer Academy and Autumn Ridge Church and is the Olmsted County Bar Association's representative on the Olmsted County Justice Council.
Pamela A.W. King: Ms. King is an Assistant Public Defender with the Trial Team of the Minnesota State Board of Public Defense, where she represents individuals statewide charged with high profile and complex felonies. Previously, she was an Assistant Public Defender for the Third Judicial District and an associate attorney with Baker Law Offices. Ms. King is a Commissioner on the Federal Advisory Commission of the National Commission on Forensic Science and the Board President of the Rochester Women's Shelter.
Eric M. Woodford: Mr. Woodford is a team lead attorney in the Olmsted County Attorney's Office, where he supervises a team of attorneys while maintaining a caseload of adult criminal matters and any appeals that may arise. Previously, he was an associate attorney at Johnson, Larson and Peterson, PA, handling criminal defense, family law, civil litigation, and estate planning. Mr. Woodford is a member of the Operations Committee of the Mayo Clinic Child and Family Advocacy Center and a board member with Rochester Better Chance.
Minnesota's Third Judicial District consists of Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca, and Winona Counties.
An announcement of the appointment will be made following an interview process over the next few weeks.
