Sixth District Judge Candidates

Name:

Gunnar Johnson

Age: 56

Residence: Gnesen Township

Current job: Attorney for Cloquet Area Fire District, City of Hermantown, numerous townships, and Overom Law.

Education

I received a BS in biology at UMD in 1990. I was on the Dean’s List and received service awards including the Sieur du Luth Award.

I went to law school at the American University in Washington, DC. I graduated cum laude in the top 25 percent of my class in 1994.

As an attorney, I attend at least 15 hours of Continuing Legal Education each year to maintain my Minnesota and Wisconsin law licenses.

Legal background

I am an attorney with Overom Law and represent Cloquet Fire, Hermantown, townships, Justice North, and UMD.

I was the Duluth City Attorney for 12 years. I worked on a wide range of legal matters including litigation, criminal prosecution, and economic development. I helped shut down the Last Place On Earth.

I worked as a Minnesota Assistant Attorney General. I represented state agencies in northeastern Minnesota on a variety of litigation and criminal matters.

Why are you running?

My work in public service has been the most rewarding part of my long legal career. I see being a judge as an opportunity to give back to our community. I believe my 30-years of experience in civil and criminal matters and as a hearing officer will be valuable in helping to resolve legal disputes in our judicial district. I would be honored to serve Carlton and St. Louis Counties as a judge.

What makes a good district judge?

A good judge is organized, hard-working, listens to all sides in a dispute, patient, open-minded, has a good demeanor, knowledgeable of the law, unbiased, ethical, makes timely decisions, and explains things in a way that even non-lawyers can understand. I believe my education, background as a hearing officer, and experience demonstrates that I possess all of these qualities and would be a strong judge for our area.

How will your background and personal attributes help you on the bench?

I have been involved in countless civil and criminal matters throughout the 6th Judicial District over the past 30 years. One area of my practice that I would like to highlight is my work as a hearing officer for the Duluth Housing and Redevelopment Authority. I hear cases much like a district court judge. The hearings are similar to a civil trial with opening statements, a hearing, closing statements, and ultimately a written decision by me. The cases often involve issues of mental health, addiction, poverty, and access to legal services. Sometimes the tenants are represented by an attorney but are often pro se. After the hearing, I apply the facts gathered in the hearing to the Federal housing laws. I issue a written decision within 7 days. I enjoy being a hearing officer because it is interesting, challenging, and rewarding.

What is one way the legal system can better serve all Americans?

A fair and unbiased legal system is the foundation of our society. When justice and fairness are lost, so is trust in our system of government. Respect , dignity, and fairness are the cornerstones of our legal system. My goal is not to “fix” the courts with a predetermined agenda. I want to be a hardworking, fair, and unbiased member of the judicial team that serves our community. I will work with the court system to keep it fair, unbiased, and user friendly. I will listen to all that come before me. I will make decisions based on the facts and the law. I will issue decisions in a timely manner. I will work to keep the Sixth Judicial District a standard of American justice.

What is one thing you’d like to say to voters?

Most of the time our local judges are selected by the governor. This time you get to pick your judge. This is an important decision. I believe my years of experience handling complex legal matters like the Last Place on Earth, my experience as a hearing officer, and my respect for public service would be an excellent fit for the judicial needs of our area. I ask for your vote Nov. 5th. http://www.gunnar4judge.com.

Name:

Shawn B. Reed

Age: 53

Residence: Midway Road, Duluth

Current job: Attorney and shareholder with Reed Law, Ltd.

Education

Esko High School, 1989 grad; University Minnesota, Duluth, graduated 1993 with Bachelor of Arts majors in Political Science and Criminology, and a minor in Philosophy. William Mitchell College of Law 1997 grad, Juris Doctor cum laude. Member of the Rosalie Wahl Moot Court Society.

Legal background

I have been a trial attorney for 27 years. My practice includes criminal law, family law, civil cases, and appellate work. My criminal practice is unique because I serve as a prosecuting attorney for local municipalities and a private criminal defense attorney. Related to the family law practice, I am on the Rule 114 Roster of Qualified Neutrals. Finally, I serve as an administrative hearing officer for municipalities and housing agencies.

Why are you running?

With 27 years of court experience, I know how important it is that we have district court judges with experience. The role of judge is too important to be filled without court experience. My extensive trial experience includes work as a prosecuting attorney, criminal defense attorney, family law attorney, and civil law attorney. I have served as a hearing officer for municipal and housing matters. I am running to bring my experience to the court.

What makes a good district judge?

A successful judge requires patience, empathy, humility, multitasking ability, and a sense of humor. Patience, because courts handle people and complex issues. Empathy, because a day in court may be a person’s worst day. Humility, because the work is about the law and the individuals in court, not the judge. Multitasking, because without it, delays occur. Finally, a sense of humor, because the work may become overwhelming if you cannot find life’s lighthearted moments.

How will your background and personal attributes help you on the bench?

My background in trial practice has given me a thorough understanding of the types of cases commonly handled by judges and the daily operations of the court. I manage cases effectively and ensure their timely progress. As an administrative hearing officer, I have served as a judge, applying the law to facts and making impartial decisions. Because of this, I am prepared to step into the role of the next district court judge on day one. I am committed to ensuring that justice is not delayed and that attorneys, parties, and the public can count on timely decisions. My greatest strength is my ability to demonstrate fairness. I believe that all need to be treated with respect and dignity without regard to their background or circumstances. Not everyone can win their case. But, if one experiences respect and dignity, one is more likely to have felt they have been heard.

What is one way the legal system can better serve all Americans?

Improve access to justice. Access is often hindered by a person's financial situation, which can prevent them from obtaining justice in both criminal and civil cases. While the public defender system assists those at risk of losing their freedom, the economic qualifications for accessing a public defender are quite low. As a result, many individuals who live paycheck to paycheck do not qualify for a public defender. This financial barrier also extends to civil cases, where many people cannot afford to hire a lawyer and are consequently forced to represent themselves. This, in turn, burdens the judicial system as matters may be delayed.

What is one thing you’d like to say to voters?

Go out and vote for your judge. Judges make decisions that have real-life consequences. Because of that, the Sixth Judicial District needs a qualified judicial candidate who has significant and actual courtroom experience in criminal, family, and civil law. We need a candidate that has significant jury trial and hearing experience. Nearly 69 percent of area attorneys voting in a plebiscite selected me as their choice for judge. Go and vote. We need Reed.