New judge in Fifth District

By SARA SYVERSON

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Governor Ventura on Monday appointed New Ulm attorney John Rodenberg to the Fifth Judicial District trial court bench.

The ceremony was shown via interactive television at the the courthouse in New Ulm on Monday morning.

Rodenberg is replacing Judge Terri Stoneburner who was appointed to serve as a justice on the Minnesota Court of Appeals earlier this year. Stoneburner resigned from the Fifth Judicial District on April 28.

Rodenberg has worked as an attorney and partner with the law firm of Berens, Rodenberg and O'Connor in New Ulm. He is also a part-time assistant Brown County Attorney.

Ventura said Monday that whoever replaces Stoneburner would have to have a strong work-ethic and would be able to handle a variety of cases. Nine people applied for the job.

"I really thank you for the opportunity to serve as a Fifth Judicial District Judge," said Rodenberg.

"I accept and look forward to the position. I'm excited about the opportunity and challenge. Today does not see me at the end of my destination, but at another step along my journey."

Rodenberg was a staff attorney with the Social Security Administration Office of Hearings and Appeals in Minneapolis from 1981 to 1982.

He earned his law degree, cum laude, from Hamline University School of Law in St. Paul in 1981. He received his B.A., cum laude, from St. Olaf College in Northfield in 1978.

"He was among the students at the top of the class in college and law school," said a Ventura press release.

"His reputation as a mediator ,and as both a civil and criminal trial attorney, has resulted in him being named a 'Superlawyer' by Minnesota Law and Politics this year."

Rodenberg was one of the top 25 vote-getters in a "Superlawyers" poll taken this year of the lawyers in the state. He also serves as a volunteer attorney for Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services and has been a volunteer coach for the New Ulm high school mock trial team.

Rodenberg is a coaches for the New Ulm Junior Baseball Association and the New Ulm Hockey Association.

Rodenberg, 44, was born in New Ulm. He and his wife Dianne have three children, David, Ana and Matthew.

Governor Ventura also appointed Donald Aandal and Kurt Marben to the Ninth Judicial District trial court bench.