FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 28, 2023
Contact: Claire Lancaster
claire.lancaster@state.mn.us
651-219-2975
Governor Walz Appoints Dean Eyler, Kristen Marttila, and Dominick Mathews to Fill Fourth Judicial District Vacancies
ST.
PAUL, MN – Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan
today announced the appointment of Dean Eyler, Kristen Marttila, and
Dominick Mathews as District Court Judges in Minnesota’s Fourth Judicial
District. The seats will be chambered in Minneapolis in Hennepin
County.
Eyler will replace the Honorable Keala C. Ede.
“I am honored to appoint Dean Eyler to the Fourth Judicial District,” said Governor Walz.
“He is a skilled attorney with an extensive background in complex civil
litigation that will lend itself well to the Hennepin County bench.”
“I applaud the appointment of Dean Eyler,” said Lieutenant Governor Flanagan.
“Not only is he a talented attorney, but his dedication to helping
asylum seekers through our justice system demonstrates his dedication to
serving the most vulnerable.”
Marttila will replace the Honorable Tanya M. Bransford.
“I am pleased to appoint Kristen Marttila,” said Governor Walz. “Her
background working on complex antitrust cases, consumer class actions,
and environmental litigation will bring a valuable perspective to this
court.”
“Kristen Marttila will be an excellent addition to the Fourth Judicial District bench,” said Lieutenant Governor Flanagan.
“Throughout her career she has demonstrated a deep commitment to
justice, oftentimes advocating for clients who were the underdog. I am
confident she will be a fair, effective, and empathetic jurist.”
Mathews will replace the Honorable Toddrick S. Barnette.
“It is my honor to appoint Dominick Mathews to the bench,” said Governor Walz. “He approaches the law with humility and grace, which will continue to show through his work on the Hennepin County bench.”
“Dominick
Mathews is an outstanding attorney with a deep understanding of our
criminal justice system and the role that the judge plays in ensuring
the equitable administration of justice,” said Lieutenant Governor Flanagan.
“His deep roots in community and lived experience will serve the people
of the Fourth Judicial District well. I look forward to seeing him
excel in his new role.”
Minnesota’s Fourth Judicial District encompasses Hennepin County.
About Dean Eyler
Dean
Eyler is a partner at Lathrop GPM, where he litigates complex
commercial and intellectual property disputes and serves as the firm’s
pro bono partner. He was previously a law clerk for the Honorable Donald
P. Lay on the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals and an associate attorney
at Dorsey & Whitney. Eyler’s community involvement includes serving
on the boards of the Advocates for Human Rights and Minnesota Urban
Debate League. He also volunteers with the Volunteer Lawyers Network and
provides pro bono representation to parties seeking asylum before the
asylum office and immigration court. Eyler helped create a fellows
program for high school debaters and is a former Edina High School
debate coach. He earned his B.A. from the University of Northern Iowa
and his J.D. from the University of Iowa College of Law.
About Kristen Marttila
Kristen
Marttila is a partner at Lockridge Grindal Nauen PLLP, where her
practice focuses on litigating complex antitrust and other
consumer-oriented class actions. She is the chair of the firm’s pro bono
committee, and her own pro bono practice has included civil rights,
environmental, criminal appeals, and criminal expungement cases.
Marttila was previously a law clerk for the Honorable Patrick J. Schiltz
and Honorable Eric C. Tostrud on the U.S. District Court for the
District of Minnesota. She was also an attorney at Faegre & Benson
LLP, where she handled environmental and land use matters. Marttila’s
community involvement includes chairing the amicus committee of the
Committee to Support the Antitrust Laws. She also volunteers in
Minneapolis Public Schools as a classroom assistant and as a member of
the Welcoming Equity Committee of her local elementary school. She
earned her B.A. from the University of Iowa and her J.D. from the
University of Iowa College of Law.
About Dominick Mathews
Dominick
Mathews is a principal attorney at the Hennepin County Attorney’s
Office, where he supervises over 100 attorneys and support staff in the
felony prosecution of homicide, sexual assault, domestic assault, child
abuse, felony assault, and other serious felony level crimes. He was
previously a law clerk for the Honorable Toddrick S. Barnette in
Minnesota’s Fourth Judicial District. Mathews’s community involvement
includes serving on the Minnesota Supreme Court Advisory Committee on
Rules of Criminal Procedure and volunteering as a mentor for the ACT/SAT
college preparatory program for Twin Cities youth. He is also a member
of the Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers and Alpha Phi Alpha
Fraternity, Inc. He earned his B.A. from the University of Minnesota and
his J.D. from William Mitchell College of Law.
For more information about the judicial selection process, please visit the Governor’s Judicial Appointments webpage.
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