The Hon. Andrew R. Pearson is a judge for the 7th Judicial District Court of Minnesota. He was appointed to the bench by former Governor Mark Dayton on November 1, 2013, filling a vacancy created by the retirement of the Hon. Thomas P. Knapp.
The 7th Judicial District includes Becker County, Benton County, Clay County, Douglas County, Mille Lacs County, Morrison County, Otter Tail County, Stearns County, Todd County, and Wadena County.
Pearson earned a bachelor’s degree from St. John’s University in 1992. He then completed a J.D. at William Mitchell College of Law in 1998. He is certified as a Trial Specialist by the Minnesota State Bar Association.
After graduating from law school, Pearson began his legal career as an assistant public defender for the 7th Judicial District Public Defender’s Office. He served in that capacity until 2007, at which time he entered into private practice at Bradshaw & Bryant. During his tenure there, he defended clients in both state and federal courts.
His memberships have included the Minnesota State Bar Association, the Stearns-Benton Bar Association, the Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and the Minnesota Association for Justice. He has also been involved with the Central Minnesota Youth Soccer Association.
He was a resident of St. Cloud, Minnesota, at the time of his appointment.