Troy Timmerman

Blue Earth resident Troy Timmerman, a public defender in Faribault and Martin Counties, is one of four finalists for a judgeship open in Watonwan County. Another finalist is Martin County attorney Terry Viesselman.

Governor Tim Pawlenty announced that he has accepted the recommendations of the Commission on Judicial Selection for two Fifth Judicial District trial court bench vacancies.

Besides Timmerman and Viesselman the other finalists include Gregory J. Anderson for the Watonwan position, and Michael W. Cable, Michelle A. Dietrich, and Cecil E. Naatz for the Lyon-Lincoln position.

The first vacancy occurred with the retirement of the Honorable David E. Christensen effective on March 4, 2008. The Minnesota Supreme Court certified the chambers of this judgeship for Watonwan County.

The second vacancy will occur with the retirement of the Honorable George I. Harrelson effective on June 2, 2008. The Supreme Court certified the chambers of this judgeship for both Lincoln and Lyon Counties.

Blue Earth’s Troy Timmerman is the managing attorney in the Fifth Judicial District public defender’s office in Fairmont, a position he has held since 2004.

He was an assistant Fifth Judicial District public defender in Blue Earth from 1995 to 2004 as well as an attorney with the Wendland Timmerman law firm in Blue Earth from 1994 to 2004. He was also a mediator with WT Mediation Services in Blue Earth from 2000 to 2004.

Timmerman earned his juris doctorate degree from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1994, and his bachelor of arts degree from the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls in 1991.

Terry Viesselman, of Fairmont, is an attorney and partner with the Viesselman and Barke law firm in Fairmont and Blue Earth, a position he has held since 1985. He has also been the Martin County attorney in Fairmont since 1995. Previously, he was a part-time Fifth Judicial District public defender in Martin and Faribault Counties in 1994, an assistant Martin County attorney from 1985 to 1991, and an associate attorney with the Erickson, Zierke, Kuderer and Madsen law firm in Fairmont from 1978 to 1985. Viesselman earned his juris doctorate degree from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1978, and his bachelor of arts degree from the University of Minnesota magna cum laude in 1975.

The Commission on Judicial Selection screens judicial candidates and makes recommendations to the Governor for district court vacancies that occur during the term of a judge.

The commission consists of 13 members: nine at-large members and four members from the judicial district. The commission members include attorneys and non-attorneys appointed by the Governor and the Minnesota Supreme Court. The commission received a total of 23 applications for these judicial vacancies.