Paul Gunderson will replace retiring Judge Todd W. Westphal for the seat chambered in Nicollet County and Kayla Johnson will replace retired Judge Terry S. Vajgrt for the seat chambered in Rock and Pipestone County.

The appointment of Gunderson and Johnson was made Friday by Governor Tim Walz. When a judicial vacancy occurs during a mid-term, the Governor is allowed to make an appointment to the seat. A commission reviews applications for the judicial seats. Typical three finalists are selected to be reviewed by the Governor and his staff. Since two seats needed to be filled in the Fifth Judicial District, five candidates were brought for an interview with Walz. Gunderson and Johnson were selected to fill the vacancies.

Walz said it was his privilege to appoint both Gunderson and Johnson to the Fifth Judicial District during the formal announcement Friday.

“[Johnson’s] diverse practice background and ability to work with stakeholders to deliver fair and equitable justice will make her a great addition to the bench,” Walz said. “Paul Gunderson is a dedicated public servant who strives to improve the lives in his community. It is my honor to appoint him to Nicollet County where he will serve his neighbors with honor and distinction for years to come.”

Paul Gunderson, an assistant county attorney in Brown County was recently appointed to the Minnesota Fifth Judicial District to replace retiring Judge Todd W. Westphal.

Johnson is an assistant county attorney in the Murray County Attorney’s Office. She handles juvenile prosecution, child protection, and land use matters. She is also a partner at Smith & Johnson, a general practice law firm with an emphasis on child protection, real estate, estate planning, and municipal law.

Johnson previously worked as an assistant public defender in the Fifth Judicial District Public Defender’s Office and as an associate attorney at Lynn A. Johnson Law Office, LLC.

Johnson received her B.A. from Hamline University and her J.D. from Hamline University School of Law.

Gunderson is currently an assistant county attorney in the Brown County Attorney’s Office. He prosecutes adult felony and gross misdemeanor cases and is a member of 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 received his B.A. from Bethany Lutheran College and his J.D. from the University of North Dakota School of Law.

The Fifth Judicial District consists of 15 counties in southwest Minnesota: Blue Earth, Brown, Cottonwood, Faribault, Jackson, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Rock, and Watonwan.