FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 1, 2020
Contact: Teddy Tschann
teddy.tschann@state.mn.us
651-402-8841
Commission on Judicial Selection Recommends First Judicial District Candidates to Governor Walz
[ST. PAUL, MN] – The Commission on Judicial Selection announced today that it is recommending three candidates to Governor Walz for consideration to fill the current vacancy in Minnesota’s First Judicial District. This vacancy occurred upon the retirement of the Honorable Kevin W. Eide and will be chambered in Chaska in Carver County.
Martin Fallon: Mr. Fallon is currently a partner at Mason LLP. In his role, Mr. Fallon represents a wide range of businesses in complex commercial litigation in federal and state courts and arbitration hearings. Previously, he worked as an Associate Attorney at Faegre & Benson, LLP and a clerked for the Honorable David S. Doty of the United States District Court of Minnesota. Mr. Fallon’s community involvement includes serving as a mentor and advisor at multiple local colleges, universities, and academies, serving as a Board Member of the Ramsey County Historical Society and several bar associations, and participating in the St. Joseph’s Church congregation in West St. Paul.
Dawn O’Rourke: Ms. O’Rourke currently serves as an Assistant Hennepin County Attorney. In this role, Ms. O’Rourke primarily handles adult felony criminal prosecutions including sexual assault, robbery, homicide, domestic assault, violations of orders for protection, and weapons offenses. Ms. O’Rourke has also served as an Assistant Carver County Attorney. Previously, Ms. O’Rourke served as a Probation Officer for the Hennepin County Department of Community Corrections and Rehabilitation, a Case Management Assistant at the Hennepin County Domestic Abuse Service Center, and as a Fourth Judicial District law clerk for the Honorable Margaret Daly. She has also served on the Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault Public Policy Committee, Access to Justice Subcommittee, and the Child Care Assistance Fraud Stakeholders Group. Ms. O’Rourke’s community involvement includes volunteering at her children’s sporting activities and serving as a past executive board member for AFSCME Local 2789.
Stacey Sorensen: Ms. Sorensen is a civil trial attorney representing individuals and corporations in primarily personal injury, premises liability and insurance defense litigation. Ms. Sorensen is a MSBA Certified Civil Trial Specialist. In addition to her law practice, Ms. Sorensen is an adjunct professor at Mitchell Hamline School of Law in their trial advocacy program, is an arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association, and a volunteer faculty member for the National Institute for Trial Advocacy. Ms. Sorensen’s community involvement includes coaching St. Paul Central High School’s Mock Trial team for the past fifteen years and serving on the Board for Synergy/SAGE Parent Action Network (SPAN), the Prior Lake chapter of Minnesota Council for the Gifted and Talented.