Saint Paul, MN - Governor Mark Dayton today announced the appointment of At-Large members to the Commission on Judicial Selection.

"These individuals bring together the very best that Minnesota has to offer with their experience and strong passion for the judiciary," said Governor Dayton. "I am proud to appoint each to the Commission to take on the important task of reviewing and recommending candidates for our judicial system."

Governor Dayton appointed the following:

Jerry Blackwell, who resides in Saint Paul, is the founder and Chairman of Blackwell Burke, P.A. Blackwell's experience lies in civil litigation, and he also serves as a National Counsel to several major corporations. He has taught classes and delivered presentations to many prominent bar associations Blackwell is appointed as an At-Large member to the Commission.

Margaret Chutich, who resides in Minneapolis, is the Assistant Dean at the University of Minnesota's Humphrey Institute. Prior to this, she worked at the Office of the Attorney General, serving as both the deputy attorney general and the assistant attorney general. Chutich is a member of the YWCA Board of Directors, and of the advisory council for the Women's Program at the Advocates for Human Rights. She is appointed as an At-Large member to the Commission.

Randy Kehr, who resides in Albert Lea, is the Executive Director of the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce. He also serves on the Board of Directors for KSMQ Public Television and the Albert Lea Convention and Visitors Center Bureau. Kehr spends much of his time participating in localprojects with the United Way of Freeborn County, the Minnesota Design Team Visit Steering Committee, and the Albert Lea Lions Club. He is appointed as an At-Large member to the Commission.

Linda Krug, who resides in Duluth, is the Co-Director of the Masters in Advocacy and Political Leadership program. Previously, she served as theDean of the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Minnesota Duluth. Krug has held a number of prestigious roles through the University serving as the Chair of the Women's Studies department and President of the Faculty Union. She is also involved with the Association for Conflict Resolution, the League of Women Voters, and the Duluth Chamber of Commerce. Krug is appointed as an At-Large member to the Commission.

Tim O'Brien, who resides in Minneapolis, is a partner at Faegre and Benson. O'Brien represents individuals and organizations within the construction industry while also serving on a number of civic and communityorganizations including the Hennepin County Ethics Committee, Minnesota Indian Women Resource Center and the Citizens League. He is appointed as an At-Large member to the Commission.

William Sieben, who resides in Hastings, is a partner at Schwebel Goetz and Sieben and has been practicing law for over 34 years. Sieben has distinguished himself within both the legal and civic world while remainingactive in the community. He has served in the International Society of Barristers, the American College of Trial Lawyers and as President to the Minnesota Association for Justice. He is appointed as an At-Large member to the Commission.

The Commission on Judicial Selection recruits and reviews judicial candidates for judgeship vacancies that occur within district courts and for openings that take place during the term of a judge on the Workers' Compensation Court of Appeals. The Commission then puts forth three to fiverecommendations to the Governor for consideration. 49 members are appointed to the Commission; 27 are appointed by the Governor, and 22 by the Supreme Court. The Governor had previously appointed Lee Sheehy to Chair the Commission.

For more information on the Commission, please visit our judicial page at http://mn.gov/governor/appointments/judicial.jsp.