ST. PAUL, MN – The Commission on Judicial Selection announced today it is recommending four candidates to Governor Mark Dayton for consideration to fill the current vacancies in Minnesota’s Seventh Judicial District. These vacancies will occur upon the retirements of the Honorable Douglas P. Anderson and the Honorable Ann L. Carrott. Judge Anderson’s seat will be chambered at Little Falls in Morrison County and Judge Carrott’s seat will be chambered at Alexandria in Douglas County.
Michelle Clark: Ms. Clark is an Assistant Douglas County Attorney, where she handles gross misdemeanor and felony cases. Previously, she was an attorney at Tillitt, McCarten, Johnson & Haseman Ltd., and a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Thomas M. Stringer. Ms. Clark serves on the Domestic Violence Taskforce, the Douglas County Coalition on Mental Health, and the Legal Office Advisory Committee at Alexandria Technical and Community College. Ms. Clark serves as a lifetime member of the Wadena Chapter of the VFW Auxiliary and the President of the Douglas County Law Library Board.
Kevin Gray: Mr. Gray is a partner at Rajkowski Hansmeier, Ltd., where he primarily practices in the areas of personal injury, wrongful death, and construction law. Previously, he was an associate attorney at Donohue & Rajkowski, an associate attorney at Murnane, Colin, White, Brandt & Hoffman, and a law clerk at Gustafson Adams. Additionally, he serves as a volunteer attorney with Central Minnesota Legal Services. Mr. Gray is a former member of the John Simonett Inns of Court, a member of the Central Minnesota Builders Association, and serves as a “Big Brother” with Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Central Minnesota.
Karl Schmidt: Mr. Schmidt serves as a Senior Assistant Benton County Attorney, where he prosecutes felonies and handles all of the extradition, fugitive from justice, and Interstate Compact cases. Additionally, he is on a task force addressing sex trafficking and sexually exploited youth. He previously worked as Interim Benton County Attorney, Assistant Benton County Attorney, Assistant Seventh Judicial District Public Defender, and law clerk to the Hon. Bruce W. Christopherson. Mr. Schmidt is a volunteer with Central Minnesota Habitat for Humanity and a former member of the Benton County Family Violence and Sexual Assault Council.
Antoinette Wetzel: Ms. Wetzel is an attorney at Wetzel Law Firm L.F., P.A., where she is a general practitioner, handling civil, family, juvenile, and criminal matters. Additionally, Ms. Wetzel is a qualified neutral mediator and serves as the City Attorney for the cities of Royalton and Little Falls, prosecuting ordinance violations. Previously, she was a Guardian ad Litem and Custody Evaluator in Crow Wing County and a Correctional Officer with Morrison County. Ms. Wetzel is a member of the Pinnacle Hunting Club, Little Falls Chamber of Commerce, Morrison County Historical Society, and the American Legion Auxiliary, Post 46.
Minnesota’s Seventh Judicial District consists of Becker, Benton, Clay, Douglas, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Otter Tail, Stearns, Todd, and Wadena Counties.
An announcement of the appointments will be made following an interview process over the next few weeks.
