ST. 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 in Minnesota's Second Judicial District. This vacancy was created upon the retirement of the Honorable Joanne M. Smith, and will be chambered at St. Paul in Ramsey County.
Marc J Manderscheid: Mr. Manderscheid is a shareholder at Briggs and Morgan, PA, where his practice is focused on complex commercial litigation, including real estate, antitrust, and commercial bankruptcy matters. Previously, he was a shareholder at Doherty, Rumble and Butler, PA, and served as Vice Chair and Treasurer of the Saint Paul School Board after being elected as a member in 1993. Mr. Manderscheid also serves as a qualified neutral, as a volunteer attorney for Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services, and as a Macalester Groveland District Councilmember.
Laura Nelson Olmstead: Ms. Olmstead is an attorney at Robins Kaplan, LLP, where she represents plaintiffs and defendants in a variety of complex commercial matters and family law litigation. Previously, she was a staff attorney at The Advocates for Human Rights and a law clerk for the Honorable Kathryn L. Quaintance in Minnesota's Fourth Judicial District. Ms. Olmstead is the Secretary of the Minnesota Lavender Bar Association and a Bench and Bar Benefit Committee member for the Ramsey County Bar Association.
Stephen L. Smith: Mr. Smith is the principal attorney at The Law Firm of Stephen L. Smith, PLLC, where he litigates employment, criminal, and civil rights cases in state and federal court. Additionally, Mr. Smith has served nearly 14 years as an Assistant State Public Defender and previously was a Special Assistant Attorney General for the Minnesota Attorney General's Office. Mr. Smith is a member of various organizations, including the Minnesota Association for Justice, the Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and the Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers.
Minnesota's Second Judicial District consists of Ramsey County.
An announcement of the appointment will be made following an interview process over the next few weeks.
