Governor Tim Pawlenty joked that as his 100th, or “centennial,” judicial appointment there would be commemorative figurines made of the newly appointed 8th Judicial District Judge, Chippewa County Attorney Dwayne Knutsen.
Pawlenty announced the appointment in a jovial setting that included Knutsen’s friends, family, colleagues and others Thursday at the Yellow Medicine County Courthouse. Knutsen was chosen from a group of three finalists that included Montevideo attorney Dave Gilbertson and Yellow Medicine County attorney Keith Helgeson. He will fill the position vacated by Judge Bruce Christopherson, of Clarkfield, who retired on December 31 after 23 years seated at the post.
Initially there were 12 applicants for the position. Those applicants were whittled down to three finalists by the Commission on Judicial Selections before the final decision was made by the governor.
Pawlenty said that Knutsen was selected because he was viewed as a “thoughtful and fair and diligent attorney. Somebody who has not only the requisite people skills but the type of temperament and measured personality that you want.”
In addition, the governor said that candidates were sought who “not only have a love of the law and a skill of the law” but an interest and dedication to the community, more broadly. Knutsen is a member of the Minnesota State Bar Association, Minnesota County Attorneys Association, and the Western Minnesota Legal Services Board of Directors, which is indicative of his passion for the legal system. He serves as a member of the Montevideo Kiwanis Club and is active within the First Congregational Church in Montevideo, as a testament to his community ties.
Knutsen said that he immediately accepted Pawlenty’s offer made by phone on Wednesday evening. He told those present in the courtroom that “I will try my best to justify the confidence and the trust that [Pawlenty] and the judicial selection commission has placed in me.”
Following Christopherson’s departure, there were some concerns that the 8th Judicial District seat, which is stationed out of the YMC courthouse, would be left vacant due to budget constraints. Those fears proved unwarranted as the 13 county district, which runs from Yellow Medicine to Wilkin, continues to operate with 11 judges.
Knutsen was mindful of the budget situation in his address to the audience. He emphasized that the court system in western Minnesota has been able to create unique efficiencies, noting how Yellow Medicine, Chippewa and Lac qui Parle Counties have made efforts to share courthouse resources, personnel, facilities and law enforcement.
“We’ve developed some unique procedures to move our cases along at a good pace and resolve them in a fair manner, and my goal is to continue that,” he said.
Knutsen, 58, was born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He earned his bachelor of arts degree from the University of South Dakota in 1973 and then his juris doctorate from the University of Minnesota in 1985. He moved to Montevideo in 1986 where he has worked for the law firm of Prindle, Maland, Sellner, Stennes, Knutsen and Stermer. Since 1999 he has also served as the Chippewa County Attorney. He continues to live in Montevideo with his wife, Barabara, and their three children.
Knutsen will take over the judgeship at a yet to be determined date after he has transitioned from his private practice and position as Chippewa County Attorney.
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Governor Tim Pawlenty joked that as his 100th, or “centennial,” judicial appointment there would be commemorative figurines made of the newly appointed 8th Judicial District Judge, Chippewa County Attorney Dwayne Knutsen.
Pawlenty announced the appointment in a jovial setting that included Knutsen’s friends, family, colleagues and others Thursday at the Yellow Medicine County Courthouse. Knutsen was chosen from a group of three finalists that included Montevideo attorney Dave Gilbertson and Yellow Medicine County attorney Keith Helgeson. He will fill the position vacated by Judge Bruce Christopherson, of Clarkfield, who retired on December 31 after 23 years seated at the post.
Initially there were 12 applicants for the position. Those applicants were whittled down to three finalists by the Commission on Judicial Selections before the final decision was made by the governor.
Pawlenty said that Knutsen was selected because he was viewed as a “thoughtful and fair and diligent attorney. Somebody who has not only the requisite people skills but the type of temperament and measured personality that you want.”
In addition, the governor said that candidates were sought who “not only have a love of the law and a skill of the law” but an interest and dedication to the community, more broadly. Knutsen is a member of the Minnesota State Bar Association, Minnesota County Attorneys Association, and the Western Minnesota Legal Services Board of Directors, which is indicative of his passion for the legal system. He serves as a member of the Montevideo Kiwanis Club and is active within the First Congregational Church in Montevideo, as a testament to his community ties.
Knutsen said that he immediately accepted Pawlenty’s offer made by phone on Wednesday evening. He told those present in the courtroom that “I will try my best to justify the confidence and the trust that [Pawlenty] and the judicial selection commission has placed in me.”
Following Christopherson’s departure, there were some concerns that the 8th Judicial District seat, which is stationed out of the YMC courthouse, would be left vacant due to budget constraints. Those fears proved unwarranted as the 13 county district, which runs from Yellow Medicine to Wilkin, continues to operate with 11 judges.
Knutsen was mindful of the budget situation in his address to the audience. He emphasized that the court system in western Minnesota has been able to create unique efficiencies, noting how Yellow Medicine, Chippewa and Lac qui Parle Counties have made efforts to share courthouse resources, personnel, facilities and law enforcement.
“We’ve developed some unique procedures to move our cases along at a good pace and resolve them in a fair manner, and my goal is to continue that,” he said.
Knutsen, 58, was born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He earned his bachelor of arts degree from the University of South Dakota in 1973 and then his juris doctorate from the University of Minnesota in 1985. He moved to Montevideo in 1986 where he has worked for the law firm of Prindle, Maland, Sellner, Stennes, Knutsen and Stermer. Since 1999 he has also served as the Chippewa County Attorney. He continues to live in Montevideo with his wife, Barabara, and their three children.
Knutsen will take over the judgeship at a yet to be determined date after he has transitioned from his private practice and position as Chippewa County Attorney.
