<p>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:<br />
October 16, 2020<br />
Contact: Teddy Tschann<br />
<a href=”mailto:teddy.tschann@state.mn.us” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer” data-auth=”NotApplicable”>teddy.tschann@state.mn.us</a><br />
651-402-8841&nbsp;</p>
<p style=”text-align: center;”>Walz, Flanagan Appoint Erin Sindberg Porter as Chair of Commission on Judicial Selection<span style=”text-align: left;”>&nbsp;</span></p>
<p>ST. PAUL, MN &ndash; Today, Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan announced that Erin Sindberg Porter will serve as Chair of the Commission on Judicial Selection. Ms. Sindberg Porter has extensive legal experience and is a proven leader in the community. Ms. Sindberg Porter succeeds outgoing chair Lola Velazquez-Aguilu, who stepped down earlier this year.</p>
<p>&ldquo;I am pleased to announce Erin Sindberg Porter as the new Chair of the Commission on Judicial Selection,&rdquo;&nbsp;said Governor Walz.&nbsp;&ldquo;She is an accomplished attorney with a remarkable record of leadership. I am excited to work with Ms. Sindberg Porter and the Commission to continue to appoint great judges to the bench.&rdquo;</p>
<p>&ldquo;Ms. Sindberg Porter has shown herself to be a tireless advocate for Minnesota&rsquo;s children and families, especially those who are historically underserved and underrepresented,&rdquo;&nbsp;said Lieutenant Governor Flanagan.&nbsp;&ldquo;Her commitment to ensuring our judicial bench is reflective of our State&rsquo;s diverse communities will make her an excellent chair.&rdquo;</p>
<p>&ldquo;I am deeply honored by this appointment and eager to serve Governor Walz, Lt. Governor Flanagan, and the people of Minnesota,&rdquo;&nbsp;said Erin Sindberg Porter. &ldquo;Minnesotans deserve highly qualified judges who are representative of our many communities. I look forward to working with my fellow Commission members to recruit and recommend candidates, from across our state&rsquo;s diverse populations, with legal acumen, diligence, ethics, and commitment to equal justice.&rdquo;</p>
<p>&ldquo;Erin is extremely well-regarded by the bench and bar of Minnesota as an experienced litigator of discerning judgement,&rdquo;&nbsp;said United States District Court Judge Nancy Brasel.&nbsp;&ldquo;She cares deeply about the quality of our bench. As a leader, she is passionate about bringing various perspectives and backgrounds to the table to make sure all voices are heard.&rdquo;</p>
<p>&ldquo;Erin Sindberg Porter served the judiciary exceptionally as one of my first law clerks,&rdquo;&nbsp;said Minnesota Court of Appeals Judge&nbsp;Kevin Ross.&nbsp;&ldquo;She&nbsp;has since then distinguished herself similarly in the legal community as partner in two highly regarded law firms. I cannot imagine a better choice to assist the Governor in identifying outstanding judicial candidates.&rdquo;</p>
<p>&ldquo;Ms. Sindberg Porter&rsquo;s appointment to lead the Judicial Selection Commission will ensure the continued excellence of recent judicial appointments to our courts,&rdquo;&nbsp;said Fourth Judicial District Judge Juan G. Hoyos.&nbsp;&ldquo;Her background as a leading practitioner in both state and federal trial and appellate courts is unique. Ms. Sindberg Porter&rsquo;s deep commitment to pro-bono public service, especially her work with the Children&rsquo;s Law Center of Minnesota will result in the consideration of only the most qualified and dedicated candidates for judicial appointment.&rdquo;</p>
<p>&ldquo;I congratulate Erin Sindberg Porter on her appointment,&rdquo;&nbsp;said Lola Velazquez-Aguilu, outgoing Chair of the Commission.&nbsp;&ldquo;At this critical time in our state&rsquo;s history, the need to identify qualified judges who reflect our communities and select them through a transparent process could not be more important. Erin cares deeply about the quality of the judiciary and the values of this Administration. I look forward to celebrating the Commission&rsquo;s success under her leadership.&rdquo;</p>
<p>&ldquo;Erin Sindberg Porter has demonstrated a commitment to access to justice, fairness, and integrity of the legal profession,&rdquo;&nbsp;said Lilia Panteleeva, President of the Children&rsquo;s Law Center of Minnesota.&nbsp;&ldquo;For years, Ms. Sindberg Porter has lent her legal expertise to children as they navigate our state courts. Her unique vantage point will serve her well as chair of the Commission.&rdquo;</p>
<p>&ldquo;The Judicial Selection Commission has played an important role in helping Governor Walz identify and select a diverse group of well qualified judges, and I&rsquo;m sure it will continue that important work under Erin Sindberg Porter&rsquo;s leadership&rdquo;&nbsp;said Lisa Beane, Co-Chair of the Minnesota Lavender Bar Association.&nbsp;&ldquo;Erin&rsquo;s ability to build relationships will serve the Commission&rsquo;s efforts to recruit judicial candidates from a range of backgrounds and experiences from across state.&rdquo;</p>
<p>&ldquo;Erin is an insightful courtroom advocate who brings both a high-level of integrity and a commitment to the community to this position,&rdquo;&nbsp;said Andy Luger, partner at Jones Day and former U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota.&nbsp;&ldquo;She is profoundly talented and will serve the Governor, our state, and the judiciary at the highest level.&rdquo;</p>
<p>&ldquo;I applaud the Governor and Lieutenant Governor&rsquo;s decision to appoint Erin Sindberg Porter as the Chair of the Commission on Judicial Selection,&rdquo;&nbsp;said Karin Nelsen, Vice President of Legal &amp; Social Impact at the Minnesota Vikings. &ldquo;Erin is an outstanding lawyer with excellent judgment. She is grounded with a strong ethical foundation and demonstrates the utmost integrity. Erin is thoughtful, fair, and transparent. The State of Minnesota is fortunate to have her in this role.&rdquo;</p>
<p><a name=”x_x__Hlk53734916″>&ldquo;Ms. Sindberg Porter is an excellent choice as the Chair of the Commission on Judicial Selection,&rdquo;</a>&nbsp;said Vildan Teske, President of the Minnesota Federal Bar Association.&nbsp;&ldquo;She will serve the people of Minnesota ably with her broad legal experience and extensive knowledge of our legal community. Ms. Sindberg Porter will provide the leadership and insight to continue a focus on selecting highly qualified, fair-minded individuals from all backgrounds and experiences who will truly reflect Minnesota.&rdquo;</p>
<p><em><strong>About Erin Sindberg Porter</strong></em></p>
<p><a name=”x_x__Hlk53735366″>Ms. Sindberg Porter is a partner in the Business and Tort Litigation group at Jones Day in Minneapolis. She represents clients in complex business litigation and in civil and criminal investigations. Ms. Sindberg Porter has extensive experience in multidistrict litigation and coordinated actions, working on matters involving business torts, fraud, contract disputes across the health care, agriculture, manufacturing, and financial services industries. A dedicated volunteer, Ms. Sindberg Porter has worked with the Children’s Law Center since 2011 to represent youth in foster care. She also provides pro bono representation to low-income Minnesotans through Volunteer Lawyers Network. Ms. Sindberg Porter has been selected to Best Lawyers, Top Women Lawyers in Minnesota. She was recently honored as a Minnesota Attorney of the Year for her pro bono work. Ms. Sindberg Porter began her legal career as a law clerk for the Honorable Kevin Ross on the Minnesota Court of Appeals.&nbsp;</a></p>
<p>Ms. Sindberg Porter earned her B.A. from Macalester College and her J.D. from the William Mitchell College of Law.</p>
<p><strong><em>About the Commission on Judicial Selection</em></strong></p>
<p>The Commission on Judicial Selection solicits, considers, and recommends candidates to the Governor for vacancies in the District Courts and the Workers&rsquo; Compensation Court of Appeals.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Commission is tasked with identifying candidates with &ldquo;integrity, maturity, health if job related, judicial temperament, diligence, legal knowledge, ability and experience, and community service.&rdquo; The Commission is comprised of nine at-large members, including the Chair, and four district members from each of the ten Judicial Districts.&nbsp;The Commission&rsquo;s members are appointed by the Governor and Minnesota Supreme Court.</p>
<p>For more information about the Commission or the judicial selection process, please visit our website:&nbsp;<a href=”https://mn.gov/governor/administration/judicialappointments/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer” data-auth=”NotApplicable”>https://mn.gov/governor/administration/judicialappointments/</a></p>
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