[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 Third Judicial District. The vacancy will occur upon the retirement of the Honorable Ross L. Leuning. This seat will be chambered in Albert Lea in Freeborn County.

John Brooks: John Brooks is an assistant public defender in the Third District Public Defender’s Office, where he represents clients charged with felonies. He previously served as a lead assistant county attorney in the Mower County Attorney’s Office, where he prosecuted serious violent felonies and complex financial crimes, and at the Massachusetts Office of the Inspector General, where he led and conducted complex investigations into government fraud and corruption. His past community involvement includes serving as the president of the Mower County Law Library.  

Holli Mayer: Holli Mayer is senior counsel at Hormel Foods Corporation, where she manages all litigation for the company. She was previously an assistant county attorney in both Mower County and Freeborn County, where she handled a wide range of cases, including adult criminal offenses, juvenile delinquencies, child protection, civil commitments, guardianships, and conservatorships. Mayer’s community involvement includes serving on the Austin Police Civil Service Commission and the United Way Backpack Program Committee. She previously served on the board of directors for the Sacred Heart Care Center. 

Sarah Palm: Sarah Palm is a senior staff attorney for Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (“SMRLS”), where she represents low-income clients and victims of domestic abuse in family law cases. She was previously a judicial law clerk to the Honorable James A. Fabian in Minnesota’s Third Judicial District. Palm’s community involvement includes membership in the Freeborn County Bar Association and serving as president of the SMRLS employee union. She also volunteers with the Wilson Elementary School PTO, works with the Rice County Blueprint for Safety, and participates in activities with the Cub Scouts of America.

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