Saint 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 occurring in Minnesota's Fifth Judicial District. The appointment of the Honorable John R. Rodenberg to the Minnesota Court of Appeals created this vacancy. The district court judgeship will be chambered at New Ulm in Brown County in the Fifth Judicial District.

Robert Docherty- Mr. Docherty is currently a Managing Attorney with the Mankato Public Defender's Office where he serves as the liaison to the courts in three counties and supervises office personnel. He previously served as an Assistant Public Defender for the Fifth Judicial District and was also an attorney with the Somsen, Schade and Franta law firm in New Ulm. Mr. Docherty volunteers as a New Ulm High School Mock Trial coach and judge. He also served on Our Savior's Lutheran Church Board of Deacons and is a former co-chair of the New Ulm Human Rights Commission.

Patrick Rohland- Mr. Rohland serves as the Redwood Falls City Attorney where he handles all aspects of criminal prosecutions as well as civil matters for the city. Prior to this, he served in the Redwood County Attorneys' Office and practiced in real estate law at the firm of Fabyanske, Westra, Hart and Thomson, P.A. Mr. Rohland serves as a Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 97 and is a youth group leader with Cornerstone Christian Church. He also is actively involved with Venturing Crew 97 and is a volunteer with Relay for Life.

Mark Ullery-Mr. Ullery is an attorney with Gislason and Hunter, LLP where he practices in general civil matters including plaintiff and defense personal injury, wrongful death and property damage cases and commercial litigation. Throughout his 27 years of legal practice with the firm, he has handled a broad range of civil cases. Mr. Ullery currently serves on the Board of Directors for the United Way of the Brown County Area (chair of the Governance Committee) and is a member of Christ the King Lutheran Church in New Ulm. He is also a past board member of the former Brown County Chapter of the American Cancer Society.

Minnesota's Fifth Judicial District consists of Blue Earth, Brown, Cottonwood, Faribault, Jackson, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Rock and Watonwan counties.

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