Appointed/Elected:
Appointed by Governor Ventura on April 19, 2002.
Elected in 2004, 2010, 2016, and 2022.
Current term expires Jan. 2029.
Education:
WILLIAM MITCHELL COLLEGE OF LAW
J.D., Cum Laude, 1987
Activities:
•William Mitchell Law Review, Staff Writer, 1985 - 1986
•Semi-Finalist, Chief Justice Douglas K. Amdahl Trial Advocacy Competition, 1986 - 1987
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
B.A., 1984
Majors: Psychology and Sociology
NORMANDALE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
A.A., Honors Graduate, 1982
Major: Liberal Arts
Professional Experience:
OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER
THIRD JUDICIAL DISTRICT
Owatonna, MN
Chief Public Defender, 1999 - 2002
Assistant Public Defender, 1992 - 1999
AWARDS:
•“Don’t Tread on Me Award,” 1993
•Clarence Earl Gideon Outstanding Service Award, 1996
•Most Trials Full-Time Attorney, 1996
•Best Client Success Story, 1998
SMITH & TOLLEFSON LAW FIRM
Private practice, 1988 - 1994
Owatonna, MN
THIRD JUDICIAL DISTRICT
Faribault, Minnesota
Judicial Law Clerk, 1987 - 1988
Legal and Community Activities:
Steele County Community Corrections Board, member, 2017 - present
Treatment Court Initiative Advisory Committee, member, 2018 - present (Co-chair, 2020-present)
Steele Waseca Drug Court, Lead Judge, Steele County, 2014 - Present
Olmsted County Justice Council, member, 2017 - 2021
Criminal Jury Instruction Guides Committee, 2005 - 2020
Steele County Children’s Justice Initiative, Lead Judge, 2004 - 2014
Steele County Bar Association
•Member, 1988 - Present
•Secretary, 1993
•Vice-President, 1994
•President, 1995
High School Mock Trial Program
•Coach, Janesville High School, 1988
•Coach, Owatonna High School, 1991 - 1993
Steele County Habitat for Humanity
•Secretary, 1993 - 1995
•Board of Directors, 1993 - 1998
•Co-Chair, Family Selection, 1993 - 2000
•Member, Family Selection, 2000 - 2003