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 First Judicial District. These vacancies are created upon the retirements of the Honorable Terrence E. Conkel and the Honorable Michael R. Savre, and will both be chambered at Glencoe in McLeod County.
Jessica Maher: Ms. Maher is a shareholder at Berg, Debele, DeSmidt & Rabuse, P.A., and is also a clinical instructor at Mitchell Hamline School of Law. Previously, she was a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Gary Crippen, Minnesota Court of Appeals, and a law clerk in the Office of the General Counsel at the University of Minnesota. Ms. Maher serves on the Minnesota Supreme Court Rules of Juvenile Protection Procedure Committee, is Vice Chair of the Hennepin County Bar Association Juvenile Section, is an American Academy of Adoption Attorneys Fellow, and is a founding member of the local chapter of a charitable group.
Amy Olson: Ms. Olson is an Assistant McLeod County Attorney, where she handles cases in child protection, criminal law, traffic, child support, paternity establishment, civil commitment, guardianships, zoning, and juvenile delinquency. She is a member of the McLeod County Multidisciplinary Child Protection Team, McLeod County Children’s Justice Initiative, and the Juvenile Law Committee of the Minnesota County Attorney Association. Ms. Olson also volunteers at St. Anastasia Catholic Church and School and is a past board member of McLeod County Hunger Free.
Paula Duggan Vraa: Ms. Vraa is a partner at Larson King, LLP. She is a former adjunct professor at Mitchell Hamline School of Law and the University of St. Thomas School of Law. She has served as a no-fault arbitrator for AAA. Previously, she was an attorney at Rider Bennett, LLP, and an appellate law clerk to the Honorable Harriet Lansing and the Honorable Jack Davies, Minnesota Court of Appeals. Ms. Vraa volunteers with the Disability Law Center, the Appeals Self-Help Clinic, and as a volunteer teacher at Junior Achievement.
Jody Winters: Ms. Winters is a shareholder and managing partner at Gavin, Winters, Donley & Ostlund, Ltd., where she represents individuals, businesses, and municipalities in civil and criminal litigation matters. Previously, she was an Assistant McLeod County Attorney and a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Robert Goggins, First Judicial District. Ms. Winters is the Co-chair of the McLeod/Sibley County Early Case Management Committee, member of the McLeod County Corrections Advisory Board and McLeod Alliance for Victims against Domestic Violence Board, Chair of the ZAP Committee, and a mock trial attorney coach.
An announcement of the appointments will be made following an interview process over the next few weeks.
