MinnLawyer Blog

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar today announced the formation of an advisory committee to assist her in recommending Minnesota’s next U.S. Attorney to President Barack Obama. The Committee will review letters of interest, conduct interviews and offer guidance to Senator Klobuchar.

The committee includes:

• former Minnesota Deputy Attorney General Lucinda Jesson (the chair of the committee);
• former U.S. Attorney Tom Heffelfinger;
• Tim O’Malley, the Superintendent of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension;
• former Hennepin County Attorney Tom Johnson;
• Court of Appeal Chief Judge Edward Toussaint, Jr.; and
• Freeborn County Attorney Craig Nelson, former President of the Minnesota County Attorneys Association.

In announcing the Advisory Committee, Senator Klobuchar said:

“At my request, they will be looking for a U.S. Attorney for Minnesota who is a seasoned, respected attorney; who is fair-minded and of impeccable integrity; who is able to work productively with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies; and who is, above all, committed to seeing that justice is done under the law and for the people of Minnesota.”

The Minnesota U.S. Attorney’s Office was rocked by controversy in 2007. Shortly after Rachel Paulose was sworn in, her three deputies and an administrator resigned in protest over her management style. Paulose later resigned the office to take a position at the Department of Justice’s headquarters in Washington, DC. Since January 2008, Frank Magill has been serving as interim head of that office. The Minnesota issues were in addition to a national controversy over the firings of U.S. attorneys.

Klobuchar  alluded to the past controversy in her announcement. “Minnesota has a long tradition of outstanding U.S. Attorneys. This includes the current acting U.S. Attorney Frank Magill, who has guided the office through a difficult time,” she said.

Those wishing to be considered for the position of U.S. Attorney should submit letters of interest by Feb. 11 to: Chair Lucinda Jesson, U.S. Attorney Advisory Committee, Office of Senator Amy Klobuchar, 1200 Washington Avenue South, Suite 250, Minneapolis, MN 55415. Letters may also be e-mailed to ljesson01@gw.hamline.edu.