[ST. PAUL, MN] – The Commission on Judicial Selection announced today that it is recommending three candidates for consideration to fill the vacancy in Minnesota’s Fifth Judicial District. The vacancy occurred upon the retirement of the Honorable Allison L. Krehbiel. This seat will be chambered in St. Peter in Nicollet County.

Susan DeVos: Susan DeVos is an assistant county attorney in the Blue Earth County Attorney’s Office, where she represents the county in numerous areas including child protection, civil commitment, and appeals. She is a member of the Blue Earth County Family Dependency Treatment Court, Blue Earth County Child Protection Team, and Children’s Justice Initiative. DeVos was previously an associate attorney at Meagher & Geer and a law clerk to the Honorable R.A. (Jim) Randall on the Minnesota Court of Appeals. Her community involvement includes volunteering backstage for Mankato Ballet Company productions and as a judge for the McGee National Civil Rights Moot Court. 

John Engels: John Engels is a solo practitioner at Engels Law Office, PLLC, where he practices in the areas of probate, real estate, estate planning, corporate and business law, civil litigation, and criminal defense. He also serves as the city attorney for eight cities. Engels previously served as an assistant county attorney in the Lincoln County Attorney’s Office. He also served more than 35 years in the Minnesota Army National Guard and the United States Army Reserve, retiring as a colonel and judge advocate. Engels’ community involvement includes serving as chair of the Lincoln County Enterprise Development Corporation, as a trustee of the Hendricks Community Hospital Association, and as a financial officer for Minnesota American Legion Post 199. 

Stefanie Menning: Stefanie Menning is an assistant county attorney in the Scott County Attorney’s Office, where she represents Human Services in child protection proceedings. She is a member of the First Judicial District Veterans Treatment Court and Scott County Treatment Court. Menning was previously an assistant county attorney in the Blue Earth County Attorney’s Office in the felony criminal division, an assistant city attorney in the Mankato City Attorney’s Office, and an associate attorney at Brandt Law Office, P.A. Menning’s community involvement includes serving on the Staff Support Committee at First Lutheran Church of St. Peter, serving as an investigator for the 8th District Bar Association Ethics Committee, and volunteering as a basketball coach for the St. Peter Youth Basketball Association. 

For more information about the judicial selection process, please visit the Governor’s Judicial Appointments webpage.