News Item
Erik Askegaard Appointed to Ninth District Bench

Posted: Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Erik J. Askegaard has been appointed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty to fill a Ninth Judicial District trial court bench vacancy in the city of Brainerd in Crow Wing County. The vacancy occurred with the retirement of the Honorable John R. Leitner.

Askegaard is an attorney and president of the Askegaard and Robinson law firm in Brainerd, a position he has held since 1991.  He was an associate attorney with the Jeffries, Olson and Flom law firm in Moorhead from 1987 to 1991, and a law clerk to North Dakota Supreme Court Justice Herbert L. Meschke in Bismarck from 1986 to 1987.  Askegaard earned his juris doctorate degree from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks in 1986, and his bachelor of science business administration degree cum laude from the University of North Dakota in 1982.

"Erik has earned the respect and admiration by attorneys as well as the broader Brainerd community for his intelligence, calm manner and fairness," Governor Tim Pawlenty said.  "These traits will serve him well as a judge."

Askegaard is a certified civil trial specialist by both the Minnesota State Bar Association as well as the National Board of Trial Advocacy, and is listed on the Minnesota Statewide Alternative Dispute Resolution Roster as a qualified neutral.  He is a member of the Minnesota Association for Justice, Minnesota State Bar Association, where he is treasurer of the Outstate Practice Section, and has been a lecturer at numerous continuing legal education seminars.  His community activities have included serving as a volunteer coach for Brainerd High School Mock Trial Competitions, a basketball coach with the Brainerd Youth Athletic Association and the YMCA, a foreign exchange student host, and a member of the Sunrise Sertoma Club.

Askegaard, 49, was born in Fargo, North Dakota, grew up in Detroit Lakes and lives in Brainerd with his wife, Joan and their three sons.