Daniel L. Griffith

Born: 1962 in Big Fork, MN

Education:

• Falls High School - 1980
• Rainy River Community College - A.A. 1985
• University of Minnesota - B.A. 1988
• William Mitchell College of Law - J.D. 1993

Employment:

• 1996-present, GRIFFITH LAW OFFICE -- Started private law practice focusing on criminal, family, probate and environmental law.
• 1994-1996, CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE -- THE BOYLE LAW FIRM Assistant City Attorney--Prosecuted criminal matters and practiced personal injury, family, real estate and probate law.
• 1993 GRAY, PLANT, MOOTY, MOOTY & BENNETT, P.A., Law Clerk--Covered environmental issues during the 1993 Minnesota Legislative Session and drafted a weekly report, which was disseminated to Gray, Plant business clients.
• Summer 1992, HUMMEL, SINCLAIR, PEARSON, EVANS, HUNT & HEISLER, P.A.
  Law Clerk - Drafted two appellate briefs and completed several assignments for the Becker County Attorney stationed in that office. Researched a variety of legal issues, wrote memorandums, and offered support for trials and hearings.
• Spring 1992, DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE, HUDSON, WISCONSIN
  Law Clerk/Intern - Researched a variety of legal issues, wrote memorandums, and assisted in trials and hearings.
• Fall 1991 MINNESOTA ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE
  Law Clerk/Intern - Researched a variety of legal issues, wrote memorandums, and assisted in trials and hearings.

Summary Experience:

• Attorney - 11 years
• Assistant City Attorney - 2 years
• Assistant County Attorney by appointment - 7 years
• Criminal Defense - 7 years
• General Practice - probate, civil, personal injury, environmental, property
• 10 years experience on cases involving families and children
• Guardian Ad Litem - 9 years
• 1996-present, RAINY RIVER COMMUNITY COLLEGE
  Adjunct Professor on request - Taught Criminal Justice, International Relations, Political Science and Business Law
• 1983 and 1984, MINNESOTA STATE SENATE
  Senate Page - Served as an aid to Senators. Worked both the 1983 and 1984 legislative sessions.

Bar Admissions:

• Minnesota Supreme Court Bar -1993
• Federal District Court Bar - 2000
• Federal Court of Appeals - 1997
• Bois Forte Tribal Court - 2001

• Koochiching County Bar Association - past President
• Minnesota State Bar Association

• Community Theatre and Music
• Red Cross Volunteer and former Board Member
• Radio Station KBHW Board Member
• Church Board Member
• Children’s Justice Initiative Committee Member
• Friends Against Abuse former Board Member
• Life Care Center Board Member

Candidacy Questions:

1. Why do you want to be a judge?
It is the judge’s job to find the truth, find the facts, and follow the rule of law. Justice is the paramount duty of a judge, but not necessarily the job of a lawyer. That is one of the major reasons I want to serve as a judge.

2. Why should voters select you rather than your opponent in the upcoming election?
If I am granted the privilege of serving as a judge I will stay within the constitutional boundaries of a judicial officer and work to provide fairness and justice to all who come before the court. I wish my opponent the best. He was appointed to this position back when the Court of Appeals was first created in this state. I do not expect him to remain as a judge much longer since he is already at the age that most people retire. If he were to retire in the middle of his term (which is a common practice on this court), then we would have another political appointee. I believe our judges would serve our state better if they were accountable to the people they are to serve through open elections rather than mid-term appointments.

3. What experience have you had in dealing with the court on which you wish to sit?
I have been an attorney for 11 years. When I was a law clerk I drafted two appellate briefs that went to our Court of Appeals. I also appealed four cases on my own after I became an attorney and one to the Minnesota Supreme Court. My clients prevailed on two cases and did not prevail on two others. In addition, I drafted and argued an amicus curiae brief before the Federal Court of Appeals and represented clients in Federal District Court.

4. What are the major issues facing the court on which you wish to serve? How can these realistically be addressed?
Fundamentally the court must provide justice and the people must have confidence that it will do so. I believe for the court to meet this important mandate it must be accountable to the people it is judging. Lord Acton said, "Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely." Our government was established under a system of checks and balances to ensure that no one branch of government or group of people could subjugate the others. Encouraging the judiciary’s independence, but tempering that independence with accountability can accomplish this important charge.

5. Do you believe it is good policy to discuss disputed legal and political issues during a judicial campaign? If so, what issues do you plan to discuss and why. If not, why shouldn't such issues be discussed?
I believe that the voters should be able to ask judicial candidates what they want. How else can they make an informed decision to vote for one candidate over another?

6. What else, if anything, would you like the voters to know about your candidacy that you have not discussed so far?
I will answer any questions they have that the rules will allow. Both the client and their lawyer need to know that they will receive a fair and impartial hearing before the court. That is what I will give them if I am granted this office.