The Commission on Judicial Selection announced today it is recommending four candidates to Governor Mark Dayton for consideration to fill the two current vacancies in Minnesota's Eighth Judicial District. These vacancies were created upon the retirements of the Honorable Kathryn N. Smith and the Honorable Jon Stafshot. Judge Smith's seat will be chambered at Willmar in Kandiyohi County and Judge Stafsholt's seat will be chambered at Glenwood in Pope County.
Jennifer Fischer: Ms. Fischer is the Kandiyohi County Attorney, where she prosecutes crimes and serves as the legal advisor to the County Board of Commissioners. She previously was a partner at Jones and Fischer, P.A., and, prior to that, served as an Assistant Public Defender for the Eighth Judicial District. She currently serves on the boards of directors for Rice Memorial Hospital and Willmar Lakes Rotary, and is a former member of the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and the Kandiyohi County Area Family YMCA.
Rodney Hanson: Mr. Hanson is a partner with Anderson, Larson, Hanson and Saunders P.L.L.P., where he practices primarily in civil litigation. He has maintained a local practice in Willmar since 1985 and is a qualified neutral and arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association. Mr. Hanson is a past president and board member of the United Way of West Central Minnesota and is actively involved with the Vinje Lutheran Church.
Jeffrey Kuhn: Mr. Kuhn is the current president of the law firm of Nelson, Kuhn and Nordmeyer, Ltd., located in Glenwood, where his practice includes real estate, probate, business, and civil litigation. Mr. Kuhn also serves as a part-time Assistant Public Defender for the Eighth Judicial District and previously was the City Attorney for the City of Starbuck. Mr. Kuhn currently serves as a board member for the Glenwood Chamber of Commerce and as chair for the Pope County Food Shelf.
Antonio Tejeda: Mr. Tejeda is the current owner and attorney for the Law Office of Tejeda Guzman, P.L.L.C., where he practices primarily in workers' compensation, social security disability, and veteran affairs appeals. Mr. Tejeda also serves in the Minnesota Army National Guard as a Staff Judge Advocate and previously was an attorney at the law firm of Anderson, Larson, Hanson and Saunders. Mr. Tejeda currently serves as a board member for the Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee and the YMCA of Kandiyohi County.
Minnesota's Eighth Judicial District consists of Big Stone, Chippewa, Grant, Kandiyohi, Lac Qui Parle, Meeker, Pope, Renville, Stevens, Swift, Traverse, Wilkin, and Yellow Medicine Counties.
An announcement of the appointments will be made following an interview process over the next few weeks.
