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Judge Pamela A. W. King

Special Achievement Award, Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Appointed/Elected:

Appointed by Governor Mark Dayton on Oct. 23, 2015. Elected in 2016 and 2022. Current term expires Jan. 2029.


Education:

William Mitchell College of Law
J.D. May 2000
Magna Cum Laude
 
Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa
B.A., Speech Communication, May 1990


Past Employment:

Minnesota State Public Defender
Assistant State Public Defender, Trial Team Attorney, Jan. 2008 - Sept. 2015
  • Specialized in forensic science litigation, focus toward DNA typing, forensic pathology, toxicology, breath testing and drug chemistry
  • Representing indigent clients in complex felony cases
  • Consulted on cases involving forensic science or complex litigation issues
Assistant Third Judicial District Public Defender, Part-time, Aug. 2001 - Jan. 2008
  • Represented indigent clients in criminal matters
  • Mentor for law clerks and new attorneys in the district
Baker Law Offices, Rochester, MN
Associate Attorney, Aug. 2001 - Jan. 2008
  • Private Practice in the area of family and criminal law
Third Judicial District, Dodge County, MN
District Court Law Clerk, Aug. 2000 - Aug. 2001
  • Prepared orders, memoranda of law and jury instructions
  • Conducted legal research in all areas of law including civil, probate, family, juvenile and criminal law
Baker Law Offices, Rochester, MN       
Law Clerk, May 1997 - June 2000
  • Appeared in district court and ALJ proceedings, student practice license
  • Preformed legal research on dissolution, family, and juvenile law issues
  • Prepared appellate brief, district court pleadings, stipulations, and affidavits
  • Conducted client interviews
  • Assisted in trial preparation, including preparation of exhibits and witnesses
  • Investigated and interviewed potential witnesses
Dodge County District Court, Mantorville, MN
Assistant Guardian ad Litem (GAL) Program Coordinator, 1996 - 1997
  • Developed Program goals, objectives, and mission statement
  • Redesigned standard court order form for Guardian appointment
  • Assisted court administrator in developing budget and auditor reports
  • Developed program in compliance with Minnesota Supreme Court GAL Task Force Recommendations
Guardian Ad Litem, 1995 - 1998
  • Conducted investigation of each case
  • Represented the child’s best interest in child protection, juvenile delinquency, custody, and harassment/restraining order cases

Licensed to Practice:

Minnesota, October 2000 - Present

Professional Appointments/Invitations:

  • Commissioner, National Commission on Forensic Sciences, Federal Advisory Commission, 2014 - present
  • Participant, Quattrone Center for the Fair Administration of Justice, “Defining and Measuring Prosecutorial Quality,” Nov. 2015                                                                           

Professional Organizations:

  • Member, Minnesota District Judges Association, 2016 - present
  • American Academy of Forensic Sciences
    • Fellow, 2013 - present
    • Member, 2011 - 2013
    • Associate Member, 2009 - 2011
    • 2017 Forensic Foundation Education Committee, 2016 - present
    • Secretary, 2017 Jurisprudence Section, 2016 - present
    • 2016 Forensic Science Foundation Education Committee, 2015 - 2016
    • 2015 Forensic Science Foundation Education Committee, 2014 - 2015
    • Jurisprudence Section Chair, 2014 Annual Scientific Meeting Program Committee, 2013 - 2014
    • Jurisprudence Section Co-Chair, 2013 Annual Scientific Meeting Program Committee, 2012 - 2013
  • Member, Minnesota Society for Criminal Justice, 2012 - 2015
  • Member, National College of DUI Defense, 2012 - 2015
  • Member, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2012 - 2015
  • Member, Olmsted County Bar Association, 2000 - Present
    • Executive Committee Member, 2004 - 2006
  • Member, Women Attorneys of Rochester, 2000 - Present                        
  • Member, Dodge County Bar Association, 2000 - Present
  • Minnesota Bar Association
    • Member, 2000 - 2007
    • Young Lawyers Division, Rochester Chapter, 2000 - 2004
    • Member, American Bar Association, 2000 - 2005

​Honors/Awards:

  • Attorneys of the Year, Minnesota Lawyer Magazine, 2011
  • Special Achievement Award, Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2011

Faculty and Academic Teaching:

  • National Defender Training Project, Dayton, Ohio
    • Public Defender Trial Advocacy Program, 2012 - 2015
    • Cross-Examination Workshop, 2012 - 2013
  • Ohio Public Defender, Dayton Ohio
    • Litigating Forensic Science Cases in Ohio, plenary presenter & workshop leader, Mar. 2015
    • Defending Junk Science Cases, plenary presenter & workshop leader, Mar. 2014
  • Minnesota State Public Defense, Advance Trial Advocacy Program, 2007 - 2015

Publications and Peer Reviews:

  • Journal of Forensic Sciences
    • Peer Reviewer, Jan. 2014
    • Peer Reviewer, Mar. 2013
  • Minnesota DWI Deskbook, 1st & 2nd ed., Blood Breath & Urine Chapter, Co-Author, published by Minnesota State Bar Association (MSBA) Continuing Legal Educatio
  • America’s Children Still at Risk, A call to Action, Contributor, published by the American Bar Association (ABA) Steering Committee for the Unmet Legal Needs of Children, 2001

Community Service:

  • Community Reinforcement and Family Transition Project (CRAFT),
    • Action Team Member, 2012 - 2015
    • Action Team Member, 2008 - 2011
  • Rochester Women’s Shelter
    • Board Member, Feb. 2010 - Oct. 2015
    • President, Mar. 2013 - Oct. 2015
    • Vice President, 2011
  • Legal Assistance of Olmsted County
    • Board President, 2003 - 2005
    • ​Board Member, 2001 - 2007
  • Volunteer, Legal Assistance of Olmsted County
  • Volunteer, Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services
  • Volunteer, Olmsted and Mower County Guardian Ad Litem Programs
  • Mentor, Summer Youth Mentorship Program, Rochester, MN

Coordinator, League of Women Voters Community Youth Forum
Youth Leader, Appalachia Service Project