FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
December 23, 2020
Contact: Teddy Tschann
teddy.tschann@state.mn.us
651-402-8841
Commission on Judicial Selection Recommends Seventh Judicial District Candidates to Governor Walz
[ST. PAUL, MN] – The Commission on Judicial Selection announced today that it is recommending three candidates for consideration to fill a vacancy in Minnesota’s Seventh Judicial District. The vacancy occurred upon the retirement of the Honorable Barbara R. Hanson. The seat will be chambered in Fergus Falls in Otter Tail County.
Simon George: Simon C. George is a solo practitioner and part-time public defender in Detroit Lakes. He represents clients in a vast array of criminal defense cases. Previously, Mr. George represented clients in estate planning, divorces, child custody, and real estate matters, as well as litigants in the White Earth Tribal Court. He also served as a White Earth Tribal Defender and was involved in the White Earth Juvenile Healing to Wellness Court. Mr. George’s community involvement includes serving on the Frazee-Vergas School Board, the Detroit Lakes Rotary, Jaycees, and Shriners clubs. Mr. George also volunteers with local high schools and mentors students and attorneys.
Johnathan Judd: Mr. Judd is currently the Mayor of the City of Moorhead, Director of Equity and Inclusion at Minnesota State Community and Technical College, and an adjunct instructor at Minnesota State University-Moorhead. He previously served as a Seventh Judicial District Assistant Public Defender, an Assistant Clay County Attorney, and as an attorney at Judd Law, PLLC. Mr. Judd has experience handling criminal, juvenile, and child protection cases. He served on the North Dakota Federal District Court Criminal Justice Act Panel where he represented indigent federal clients. Mr. Judd’s community involvement includes serving on the board of directors of West Central Initiative, Fercho Fargo-Moorhead YMCA, Scott Tobolt Foundation, and SpudsTV. He also serves as a volunteer football coach for F-M Athletics Youth Football and is currently a Fellow in the Minnesota Education Policy Fellowship.
Heidi Schultz: Ms. Schultz currently serves as an Assistant Todd County Attorney, where she prosecutes adult criminal cases of all levels. Previously, she was a partner at Swenson Lervick Syverson Trosvig Jacobson Schultz Cass, P.A. Ms. Schultz has also served as an Assistant County Attorney in Douglas, Olmsted, and St. Louis Counties. She clerked for the Honorable Mark A. Munger. Ms. Schultz currently serves on the Board of Directors of Alexandria Dollars for Scholars and the Alexandria Figure Skating Club. She is a prior board member of the United Way of Douglas & Pope Counties and a past member of the Douglas County Domestic Violence Task Force. Ms. Schultz has also served on the Minnesota Supreme Court Advisory Committee on Rules of Criminal Procedure.
Minnesota’s Seventh Judicial District consists of Becker, Benton, Clay, Douglas, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Otter Tail, Stearns, Todd, and Wadena Counties.
For more information about the judicial selection process, please visit our website: https://mn.gov/governor/administration/judicialappointments/
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