Judicial selection picks three finalists

By Scout Nelson

The Commission on Judicial Selection announced three candidates recommended to fill the vacancy in Minnesota’s Eighth Judicial District, following the retirement of the Honorable Thomas W. Van Hon. The new judge will be chambered in Montevideo, Chippewa County. The three recommended candidates bring a range of legal expertise and community involvement.

John Fitzgerald serves as the first assistant county attorney at the Meeker County Attorney’s Office, where he supervises attorneys and support staff while prosecuting a range of criminal cases, including misdemeanors and felonies.

Fitzgerald’s legal experience also includes serving as a law clerk for Judge Kristine R. DeMay in the Ninth Judicial District. His community involvement extends to being chair of the Meeker Area Food Shelf and an active member of the Litchfield Lion’s Club, where he serves on the board of directors and engages in fundraising and service projects.

Benjamin Pieh is an assistant public defender in the Eighth Judicial District Public Defender’s Office, focusing on criminal and juvenile cases across several counties. His background includes clerking for Judges Paul Nelson, Dwayne Knutsen, and Thomas Van Hon. Pieh also chairs the 12th District Ethics Committee and has served on the Fee Arbitration Committee.

In addition to his legal work, he is president of the Prairie Arts Chorale, volunteers as a judge with the MSBA Mock Trial Program and participates in local charitable and faith organizations.

Heidi Torvik is an attorney with Lommen Abdo, P.A., representing clients in civil and criminal cases in both state and federal courts. Previously, she worked as an assistant county attorney in Chippewa County and as an attorney at Chestnut Cambronne PA. Torvik has also taught at the University of Minnesota Law School and co-authored legal publications.

She serves as a district ethics investigator and is an active musician, performing at community and legal events with a group of attorneys and judges.

Each candidate’s legal expertise and commitment to community service make them strong contenders for the Eighth Judicial District’s judicial seat.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-zoran-zeremski