Saint 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 created upon Judge Edward J. Cleary's appointment to the Minnesota Court of Appeals and the retirement of the Honorable Steven D. Wheeler. These judgeships will be chambered at Saint Paul in Ramsey County in the Second Judicial District.

Shawn Bartsh - Ms. Bartsh maintains a solo law practice in St. Paul where she handles personal injury cases and works as a conciliation court referee for Ramsey County. She also serves as an arbitrator and mediator in contested matters and as an arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association. Previously, Ms. Bartsh was an adjunct professor with William Mitchell College of Law and practiced with Karon, Jepsen and Daly. She is the current President of the Ramsey County Bar Association and is actively involved with her community serving on the Board of Directors of the Highland Business Association and the Highland District Council.
Leonardo Castro - Mr. Castro currently works as the managing attorney for the Second Judicial District Public Defender's Office where he is responsible for managing all misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor cases in Saint Paul and suburban courts. He is also an adjunct professor at the University of Saint Thomas School of Law. Previously, Mr. Castro served as the Chief Public Defender for the Fourth and Fifth Judicial Districts and was an attorney with the Riha Law Office. He served as a Staff Sergeant with the US Air Force and is currently Deputy General Counsel for the National Hispanic Bar Association.

Pat Diamond - Mr. Diamond currently serves as the Deputy Hennepin County Attorney for Criminal Prosecution where he is responsible for appellate, adult, juvenile, white collar, drug, property and gang prosecution functions. Prior to this, he was a Special Litigation Division Manager within the Hennepin County Attorney's Office and was also Deputy Hennepin County Attorney for Civil. Mr. Diamond was also an associate attorney with Oppenheimer, Wolff and Donnelly. He is co-chair of the Minnesota County Attorneys Association's Task Force on Election Law Reform and is a member of the Hennepin County Justice Integration Project.

Arthur Martinez - Mr. Martinez works as a Forensic Unit Attorney with the Hennepin County Public Defender's Office while also maintaining a solo practice where he primarily handles criminal cases. Previously, he was a managing attorney at the West Side Office of the Neighborhood Justice Center. Mr. Martinez produces, directs and hosts a Spanish-speaking talk show program, "Es La Ley" that educates the Latino community on their legal rights. He is a founding member of the Minnesota Hispanic Bar Association and remains actively involved with the organization.

The Second Judicial District consists of Ramsey County.

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