Cleary is the director of the Minnesota Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility, a position he has held since 1997.  He was an attorney in private practice in St. Paul from 1978 to 1997, and an assistant Second Judicial District public defender in Ramsey County from 1980 to 1995. He was a staff attorney in the securities division of the Minnesota Department of Commerce from 1977 to 1978.  Cleary earned his juris doctorate degree from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1977 and his bachelor of arts degree magna cum laude from the University of Minnesota in 1974.

"As director of the Lawyers Professional Responsibility Board, Ed handles the ethics complaints that are filed against lawyers with dignity and respect," Governor Ventura said.  "As a judge, Ed will conduct himself with the highest regard for those who appear in his courtroom."

Cleary is an adjunct professor with the University of Minnesota Law School, is a member of the Minnesota State Bar Association Board of Governors, and serves on its Task Force on Multi-Disciplinary Practice, Professional Rules Committee and Professionalism Committee.  He is also past president of the Ramsey County Bar Association, and a member of the American Bar Association Center for Professional Responsibility as well as a member of the Minnesota News Council.

Cleary, 49, was born in St. Paul and lives there with his wife, Dana Moorhead.

Dorn is the chief referee in the family court division in the Fourth Judicial District in Hennepin County.  She has been a Hennepin County court referee since 1987.  Dorn was an attorney and partner in the law firm of Pepin, Dayton, Herman, Graham and Getts in Minneapolis from 1982 to 1987, an attorney and partner in the law firm of Sutcliffe and Swanson in Minneapolis from 1978 to 1982 and a law clerk in Hennepin County from 1977 to 1978.  Dorn earned her juris doctorate degree cum laude from Hamline University School of Law in St. Paul in 1976 and her bachelor of arts degree from Bethel College in St. Paul in 1968.

"As a Hennepin County District Court referee for the past 15 years, Marybeth has become a favorite among lawyers who appear before her because she has a reputation for timely and well-written opinions, she runs an orderly courtroom, is respectful of all parties and has great knowledge of the law and procedures," Governor Ventura said.  "She has proven herself as a referee to be elevated to a district court judge and will be a great addition to the Ramsey County bench."

Dorn is a board member of the Minnesota Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, a trainer for the Hennepin County DASC Volunteer Program and has taught numerous courses on family law and courtroom procedures and processes.  She has also been a Hennepin County Family Court Guardian ad Litem, volunteered at Chrysalis and for the Hennepin County Bar Association Family Court Settlement Program.