Happenings on the federal bench

Jul 9th, 2010 by Michelle Lore

Fergus Falls Courthouse

The U.S. District Court is seeking comments on the potential reappointment of part-time Magistrate Judge Mary Kay Klein in Fergus Falls.

Klein was initially appointed to the bench in January 2003 and reappointed to a second term in 2007. In addition to her judicial duties, she is an attorney with the Klein Law Firm, where she focuses her practice on family, personal injury and school law, as well as mediation. She graduated with honors from St. Cloud State University and received her law degree from the University of North Dakota Law School.

On another note, the federal court has put together a merit selection panel to advise the court on the selection of a new magistrate judge in Minneapolis or St. Paul.

Minneapolis Attorney William Manning has been appointed chair of the panel, which consists of 11 members, all appointed by the court. The panel will review applications for the magistrate job, interview prospective candidates and recommend to the judges the five candidates they deem best qualified for the position.

In addition to Manning, the panel will include: Joan Anderson Growe, Barbara Berens, Carl Cambronne, Dan Gustafson, B. Todd Jones, Jessie Nicholson, Mary Vasaly, Steve Wells, Colleen Wieck and Peter Wold.
Applications for the U.S. Magistrate judge vacancy will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. on July 21, 2010. For additional information, visit http://www.mnd.uscourts.gov/.