Austin attorney Fred W.

Thursday, October 12, 2000

Austin attorney Fred W. Wellmann has been appointed to fill the judgeship vacancy in the Third Judicial District trial court.

"I’m happy," Wellmann said, "as well as my family. It’s been an interesting process. Becoming a judge has always been in the back of my mind and to receive the appointment on my first time at applying for a judgeship is an honor."

The appointment came Tuesday, when Gov. Jesse Ventura also appointed Samuel Hanson to the Minnesota Court of Appeals and Michael Jesse to the Seventh Judicial District trial court.

Wellmann is an attorney with the Austin law firm of Hoversten, Johnson, Beckmann, Wellmann and Hovey, a position he has held since 1980.

He served as Mower County attorney from 1978 to 1980, a prosecutor for the county and the city of Austin from 1975 to 1978 and an attorney with the law firm of Blaufuss and Wellmann in Marshall from 1974 to 1975.

Wellmann earned his juris doctorate degree from William Mitchell College of Law in 1974 and his bachelor of science degree from Mankato State University in 1967.

"Fred has a wealth of experience in both civil and criminal law," Ventura said in making the announcement. "He has tried over 1,200 cases to a verdict during the 26 years he has been a lawyer.

"His reputation for hard work and his active involvement in the Mower County community make him a great fit for this judgeship," Ventura said.

Wellmann is past president of the Mower County Bar Association, Austin Rotary Club and the Austin Jaycees. He is president of the St. Mark’s Lutheran Home board of directors, serves on the Austin Public Schools’ athletic facilities steering committee and is a mentor to students at Austin High School.

He replaces Michael H. Seibel, who died June 16.

The Supreme Court continued the chambers of the judgeship for the city of Austin in Mower County.

Wellmann, 56, was born in St. Paul and lives in Austin with his wife Dianne. They have two children.

He is the second attorney from the Austin law firm of Hoversten, Johnson, Beckmann, Wellmann and Hovey to be chosen for a judgeship. Donald E. Rysavy was an attorney with the law firm when he was appointed to the Third Judicial District trial court.

Among those to congratulate Wellmann on his appointment was County Attorney Patrick A. Oman, who praised the selection, saying Wellmann has a "degree of experience," including that of a criminal case prosecutor, that should serve the new judge well.

Wellmann will be allowed time to conclude his work in private practice before beginning extensive training to be a trial court judge, including a two-week mentorship with a sitting judge in the district.

Swearing-in ceremonies are expected sometime in mid-November.

Wellmann praised the Third Judicial District Court system for handling the increased responsibilities during Seibel’s illness and after his death.

"I think the system has worked very well under the circumstances," he said. "I’m very impressed with the judges throughout the district who have had to handle their own schedules while also being assigned to fill in in Mower County."

Wellmann said he wants to be regarded as a "fair and even-handed" judge when he takes his seat on the bench and that his top priority will be to help address the backlog of cases before the court.