ST. PAUL, MN - Governor Tim Walz today announced the appointment of Kayla Johnson and Paul Gunderson as District Court Judges in Minnesota’s Fifth Judicial District. One seat will be chambered in Luverne in Rock County and Pipestone in Pipestone County, and the other seat will be chambered in St. Peter in Nicollet County.

Kayla Johnson will replace the Honorable Terry S. Vajgrt for the seat chambered in Rock and Pipestone County.

“It is my privilege to appoint Kayla Johnson to the Fifth Judicial District,” said Governor Walz. “Her diverse practice background and ability to work with stakeholders to deliver fair and equitable justice will make her a great addition to the bench.”

Paul Gunderson will replace the Honorable Todd W. Westphal for the seat chambered in Nicollet County.

“Paul Gunderson is a dedicated public servant who strives to improve the lives in his community,” said Governor Walz. “It is my honor to appoint him to Nicollet County where he will serve his neighbors with honor and distinction for years to come.”

The Fifth Judicial District consists of 15 counties in southwest Minnesota: Blue Earth, Brown, Cottonwood, Faribault, Jackson, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Rock, and Watonwan.

About Kayla Johnson
Kayla Johnson is an assistant county attorney in the Murray County Attorney’s Office, where she participates in treatment court and handles a broad range of matters, including juvenile prosecution, child protection, and land use matters. She is also a partner at Smith & Johnson, a general practice law firm with an emphasis in child protection, real estate, estate planning, and municipal law. Johnson previously worked as an assistant public defender in the Fifth Judicial District Public Defender’s Office and as an associate attorney at Lynn A. Johnson Law Office, LLC. Her community involvement has included serving as a high school mock trial judge and coach, as well as a board member for WonderWorld Preschool Inc. and the Slayton Area Chamber of Commerce. Johnson received her B.A. from Hamline University and her J.D. from Hamline University School of Law.

About Paul Gunderson
Paul Gunderson is an assistant county attorney in the Brown County Attorney’s Office, where he prosecutes adult felony and gross misdemeanor cases, and is a member of the Brown County Treatment Court staffing team. He previously was an associate attorney at Blethen Berens, where his practice included criminal defense, business litigation, and representing the City of New Ulm as an assistant city attorney. Gunderson’s community involvement?includes serving on the Minnesota Supreme Court Advisory Committee on Rules of Criminal Procedure and the New Ulm Chamber of Commerce Board. He also volunteers as a coach for a local college mock trial team and as a judge for college and high school mock trial competitions. Gunderson received his B.A. from Bethany Lutheran College and his J.D. from the University of North Dakota School of Law

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