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Brown County assistant attorney finalist for judge post

Governor will pick from Gunderson, 2 others

Gunderson

Paul Gunderson, assistant county attorney for Brown County, is one of three finalists to fill a judge vacancy on Minnesota’s 5th Judicial District.

The vacancy will occur upon the retirement of the Honorable Kurt D. Johnson. The seat will be chambered in Mankato in Blue Earth County.

As assistant county attorney, Gunderson prosecutes felony and gross misdemeanor criminal cases. He also serves on the Brown County Treatment Court staffing team.

He previously was an associate attorney at Blethen Berens, where his practice included criminal defense, business litigation and representing the city of New Ulm as an assistant city attorney. Gunderson’s community involvement includes serving on the boards of the Oak Hills Living Center and the New Ulm Area Chamber of Commerce. He also volunteers as a coach for the Bethany Lutheran College mock trial team and as a mock trial judge with the American Mock Trial Association and the Minnesota State High School League. Gunderson has also served as president of the Ninth District Bar Association.

When asked about the judge position, Gunderson said he could not comment due to rules and regulations about the appointment process — but his boss was willing.

Brown County Attorney Chuck Hanson said he wrote a recommendation letter to the judicial selection committee.

“I mentioned his qualifications and said he’s be a great addition to the bench,” said Hanson. “We’ve done a lot of trials together. He’s a great litigator and he’d make a great judge.”

Hanson said he’s very proud of Gunderson being one of the judicial finalists.

“He’s a great attorney, one of the best attorneys I’ve ever worked with,” Hanson said. “We’d hate to lose him.”

The other two finalists are:

•Kristine Weeks: An assistant public defender in the Fifth Judicial District, Weeks represents indigent clients in misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor, felony, and probation violation proceedings. She also represents clients in child protection and delinquency matters.

•Aaron Zurek: An assistant public defender in the Fifth Judicial District, Zurek represents indigent clients in misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor, felony, and probation violation proceedings. He also represents clients in child protection and delinquency matters.

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