Mark Metz was elected by the Carver County residents as the Carver County Attorney in 2010, re-elected in 2014 and 2018. Prior to election as the Carver County Attorney, Metz served as an assistant Carver County attorney and assistant McLeod County attorney for eleven years, prosecuting serious felonies in district court, and preparing subsequent appeals at the Minnesota Court of Appeals and the Minnesota Supreme Court. Metz also has extensive experience in child protection, commitments involving the mentally ill and chemically dependent, and other civil cases.

Metz serves on the Minnesota County Attorney Association’s Board of Directors. Metz is the former chairperson of the Minnesota County Attorney's Urban Board. Working in close collaboration with Minnesota County Attorneys, Metz emphasizes the mutual benefits in the sharing of legal information and increased professional training opportunities for Assistant Carver County Attorneys. For more than a decade, Metz continues to serve as an adjunct law professor at Mitchell Hamline College of Law, teaching appellate advocacy to advanced law students.

Metz’s prior experience has included serving as a volunteer ethics investigator for the Lawyer’s Board of Professional Responsibility and he is a past president of the Eighth District Bar Association.  Metz also served on Mitchell Hamline’s alumni board and board of directors for two years.

Under the guidance of the Carver County Attorney, Chief Deputy Peter Ivy provides timely and accurate legal advice to all Carver County divisions on both procedural and substantive legal matters. Peter assists in directing operational day-to-day activities of the office, including overseeing legal and policy interpretation and development. Under the direction of the County Attorney, Peter monitors the scope, goals, and performance of all managers, attorneys, and non-supervisory staff.

Having prosecuted criminal cases since 1988, Peter has achieved notable trial success including a high profile four-defendant first-degree murder case involving matricide. Peter prosecuted Carver County’s first criminal gang homicide and first methamphetamine manufacturing prosecution. More generally, Peter has successfully prosecuted numerous complex cases involving manslaughter, child abuse, criminal vehicular operation, and sexual assault. Peter has successfully argued many appellate and post-conviction proceedings, including successful results in the Minnesota Supreme Court cases of State v. Everson and State v. Diamond. Peter continues to handle a criminal caseload.

Appointed by the Minnesota Supreme Court, Peter serves on the Lawyers Professional Responsibility Board. In this role, Peter assists in the oversight of the Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility and acts in a quasi-judicial function when conducting evidentiary proceedings concerning allegations of unprofessional conduct by attorneys. Peter serves as the Lawyer's Board State Chair for all Minnesota District Ethics Committees. In addition, he serves as the Chair of the Minnesota County Attorney's Association Ethics Committee. The Ethics Committee provides ethics training as well as giving timely and confidential ethics opinions to individual prosecutors across Minnesota.

2017 Meritorious Award

John Rekow joined the Carver County Attorney’s Office in 2011 as the Law Office Manager. He oversees the support staff consisting of eight Legal Administrative Assistants and one Administrative Assistant. Prior to joining the office, John has worked in healthcare, retail, television and owned small business with his father. His grandfather O.O. Rekow served as Registrar of Deeds for Carver County for over thirty years.

John graduated from Chaska High School and received his Bachelor of Arts from Gustavus Adolphus College. He and his family reside in Chaska.

Angella Erickson is the Criminal Division Manager.  She joined the Carver County Attorney’s Office in 2013 and has been serving as the Criminal Division Manager since 2017.  She prosecutes adult felony criminal cases, with a particular focus on violent person offenses including criminal sexual conduct offenses, internet crimes against children and child abuse cases.  As Criminal Division Manager, Erickson is also responsible for providing legal advice to the Carver County Sheriff’s Office and Chaska Police Department.  Prior to joining the Carver County Attorney’s Office, Erickson worked in the Meeker County Attorney’s Office, where she served as interim County Attorney, and practiced in northern Minnesota. Erickson is a graduate of Concordia College and the University of North Dakota School of Law.

Erickson is a member of the Carver County Child Protection Team, the Minnesota County Attorney’s Association Criminal Law Committee , the Sexual Assault Interagency Counsel, and the Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault Public Policy Committee. 

Kevin Hill is an Assistant County Attorney in the adult criminal division. Prior to joining the Carver County Attorney’s Office, Kevin served as a Judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable Mary B. Mahler in Stearns County, Minnesota. Kevin is a graduate of the University of St. Thomas (2011) and William Mitchell College of Law (2014), where he participated in the Thurgood Marshall Moot Court and served on Law Review. He currently serves on the Minnesota DWI Task Force and the Minnesota County Attorney’s Association Appellate Committee.

Cassandra Shepherd is an Assistant County Attorney in the adult criminal division. Prior to joining the Carver County Attorney’s Office, Cassandra served as an Assistant Dakota County Attorney. Cassandra also previously served as a Judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable Timothy McManus in the First Judicial District. Cassandra graduated from University of Minnesota and Hamline University School of Law.

Greyson St. Martin is an Assistant County Attorney in the adult criminal division. Prior to joining the Carver County Attorney’s Office, Greyson gained experience as a municipal prosecutor in private practice.  Previously, Greyson also served as a Judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable Eric J. Braaten in the First Judicial District.  Greyson is a graduate of the University of Minnesota Twin Cities (2017) and University of St. Thomas (MN) School of Law (2020), where he participated in the Religious Liberties Moot Court.

Jennifer Christensen is the Juvenile Division Manager.  She prosecutes juvenile delinquency matters and child protection cases. She joined the Juvenile Division in 2008, beginning her Division Manager role in 2018.  Christensen handles a variety of cases for the division. This includes matters ranging from petty offenses, such as curfew violations, to felony level delinquency offenses. Christensen also works with Social Services in bringing actions to protect abused and neglected children. These actions include petitions to address children who are truant from school, children in need of protection and services, abused and neglected children, and petitions to terminate parental rights.

Christensen is a member of the Carver County Children’s Justice Initiative, the Carver County Child Mortality Review Board, the Carver County Child Protection Consultation Team, the Carver County Child Protection Investigations Team, and the Minnesota County Attorney’s Association Juvenile Law Committee for both Delinquency and Child Protection. She also consults with and provides advice to law enforcement and other county agencies.

Prior to joining Carver County, Christensen was a judicial law clerk for Judge Daniel H. Mabley in the Fourth Judicial District. Christensen graduated from William Mitchell College of Law in 2006, where she served on the Law Review from 2004 to 2006.

Hannah Hanlon is an Assistant County Attorney in the Juvenile Division, prosecuting juvenile delinquency cases and representing Carver County Health and Human Services in Child Protection actions. Prior to joining the Carver County Attorney’s Office, Hannah served as an Assistant County Attorney in Beltrami County gaining experience in child protection matters as well as adult criminal prosecution. Hannah has also served as a Judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable Patrick W. Flanagan in the Tenth Judicial District. Hannah is a graduate of the University of St. Thomas and University of St. Thomas School of Law where she participated on the Journal of Law and Public Policy.

Sheilan Hamasoor is an Assistant County Attorney in the Juvenile Division, prosecuting juvenile delinquency cases and representing Carver County Health and Human Services in Child Protection actions. Prior to joining Carver County, Sheilan was an Assistant County Attorney at the Steele County Attorney’s office where she handled a wide variety of both adult and juvenile cases. Sheilan is a graduate of University of North Dakota and received her law degree from University of Maine School of Law where she participated on the Trial Team.

Ms. Tichey is the Civil Division Manager. She has been practicing law for over 13 years, leading the Civil Division for the past 3 ½ years. After receiving her J.D. with honors from William Mitchell College of Law, Tichey joined the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office for a one-year contract position in the Public Finance and Opinions Division. Tichey then spent two years working in the Civil Division of the Scott County Attorney’s Office in Shakopee. During that time, she handled property tax appeals, criminal appellate work, and property forfeitures for DWI, drug, and prostitution offenses. For the next eight years, Tichey worked as an Associate City Attorney for the City of Bloomington, primarily in the Civil Division. In this position, Tichey drafted and negotiated the City’s contracts, continued her work with DWI property forfeitures, pursued property and building code violations, and represented several of the City’s departments.

As the Civil Division Manager, Tichey is responsible for assisting the County Attorney in advising and representing the County Board of Commissioners and other County Divisions on all civil legal matters. She provides legal advice to County officials on employment law, real estate acquisition and she initiates civil litigation to acquire land for road improvements. Ms. Tichey also provides supervision in the areas of contracts, environmental law, zoning administration, data privacy, property records, taxation and child support enforcement, among other areas.

Ms. Tichey is a member of the Minnesota County Attorney’s Association Civil Law Committee.

Ms.  Shimshak serves as a senior attorney in the Carver County Attorney’s Office. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from William Mitchell College of Law, and earned a M.S. degree in Journalism and a B.S. degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

During law school, Ms. Shimshak worked as a Certified Student Attorney in the Criminal Division at the Dakota County Attorney’s Office, in the Health and Licensing Division at the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office, and at the Minnesota Department of Human Rights. She also served as an Extern to the Honorable Ann. D. Montgomery, a former Judge of the United States District Court, and as an Associate Editor and a Staff Member of William Mitchell Law Review.

After law school, Ms. Shimshak worked as an adult criminal prosecutor for 15 years. She prosecuted serious felonies, and gross misdemeanors and misdemeanors in District Court. She also successfully handled a wide variety of criminal appeals, including an appeal before Minnesota Supreme Court which impacted the practice of prosecutors state-wide. 

In the Civil Division, Ms. Shimshak provides legal advice and a variety of other legal services to Administration, the Public Works Division, the Parks and Recreation Department, and the Regional Railroad Authority in Carver County.

Ms. Shimshak is an active member of Minnesota Eminent Domain Counsel Association and the Metro County Right-of-Way Professionals.

Patrick Conness has been working on behalf of the people of Minnesota for his entire legal career, with the bulk of that service coming in Carver County. Since coming to Carver County Mr. Conness has worked hard on behalf of the Carver County taxpayers in many ways. Assigned to the County Attorney’s Office Civil Division Patrick Conness is proud of his work forfeiting vehicles from repeat drunk drivers and drug dealers. Likewise, he has he has worked hard to make sure the County stretches its dollars as far as possible through vigorous contract review.

Before coming to Carver County, Patrick Conness clerked in the Minnesota Court of Appeals, Hennepin County and worked in another county attorney’s office. Mr. Conness is a passionate public interest lawyer and experienced appellate attorney. In 2002 he graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Hamline University School of Law. Patrick Conness’ family makes public service a priority in the community through church, public schools and other non-profits.

Laura Jaunich is an Attorney in the Civil Division. Her practice areas include child support, civil commitments, and land use issues. She serves on the Minnesota County Attorney’s Association Civil Commitment Committee.

Laura is an honors graduate of William Mitchell College of Law and St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota. Prior to coming to Carver County, Laura was a law clerk in the Dakota County Attorney’s Office Child Support Enforcement Division, and was an Assistant County Attorney in Stearns County.

Laura is married with two daughters.

Dan Ryan is a Senior Assistant County Attorney representing Carver County Health and Human Services in a variety of civil matters, including commitments, guardianships/conservatorships, administrative appeals, and child support enforcement.  Prior to joining the Carver County Attorney’s Office, Dan worked for the Attorney General’s Office, as well as worked in private practice for a period of time representing the cities of Apple Valley and Eagan, and clerked for the Honorable Erica MacDonald.  Dan has a B.A. from the University of Minnesota, and a J.D. from William Mitchell College of Law. 

Lynn Walters is a Senior Assistant County Attorney providing legal advice and services to the Carver County Public Works Division, the Parks and Recreation Department, and the Carver County Regional Railroad Authority, as well as other departments within the County as needed.  Lynn has been practicing law for almost 20 years, including work as a judicial law clerk, a civil litigation attorney, and a small business owner.  Her background has given her a unique perspective and knowledge base that she relies upon to provide thorough and practical advice to clients at the County.

Lynn received her law degree from the University of Minnesota Law School (cum laude) and her undergraduate degree in Business Administration from the University of South Dakota (with highest honors).

Lynn is an active member and a committee co-chair of Minnesota Women Lawyers, and is also a member of the Minnesota County Attorneys Association, and the Minnesota Eminent Domain Counsel Association.

Tina Senf is an Assistant County Attorney representing Carver County Health and Human Services in the area of Child Support. Prior to joining the Carver County Attorney’s Office, Tina served as a Judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable Elizabeth Clysdale in the Second Judicial District. Tina is a graduate of Mitchell Hamline School of Law, where she participated in the Health Law Clinic and in externships in the areas of family law and civil commitments. 

Joy Beuning is a paralegal with the civil division and supports seven attorneys in their various practice areas. She is certified in healthcare privacy compliance and has over nine years of experience working with the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act and HIPAA. Joy came back to Carver County from Hennepin County Medical Center where she was the Information Privacy and Security Specialist. She has also worked at SUPERVALU, Wilson’s Leather, Rainforest Café, Inc. and Leonard Street and Deinard.

Carolyn Chambers is a paralegal with the civil division where she assists the County attorneys with forfeitures, paternity cases, collections, administrative appeals, legal research and civil litigation. She earned a BA in English from Shippensburg University then graduated from the Paralegal Education Program at Villanova University. She has over 20 years of experience and has been employed by a wide variety of law firms in several states.  Prior to joining Carver County, Carolyn worked for a boutique law firm in Minneapolis for 7 years where she assisted attorneys in the areas of litigation, family law, business law, copyright/trademark infringement and employment law.

In her spare time, Carolyn enjoys volunteering for Special Olympics and Best Buddies Minnesota. She also enjoys live music, cycling, nature walks, gardening, cooking and being anywhere near an ocean.

Nancy Yates has served as a victim witness coordinator with the Carver County Attorney’s Office since 1997. In 2019, Yates was promoted to the Division Manager.

Yates works with victims and witnesses in criminal and juvenile court for Carver County Attorney’s Office. Yates’ strength is working with vulnerable victims and she has great skill in coordinating all facets of the criminal justice system to support the victims and prosecutors during the pendency of the criminal case. Yates has taught on issues relating to crime victim rights, victimization and multidisciplinary teams.

Yates is a member of multiple committees and teams and serves as a representative for crime victims.

Yates graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 1995. Thereafter, she graduated from the Minnesota Paralegal Institute with a Paralegal Certificate in 1996. Yates is also trained as a crisis counselor.

Yates has volunteered her time with domestic violence and sexual assault agencies and the Courage Center. She also served on the Board of Directors for the Sexual Violence Center.

Donna Storms joined the Carver County Attorney’s office in 2015. She works with victims and witnesses in criminal and juvenile court as a victim witness coordinator. Her caseload includes adult misdemeanor, juvenile, and specialty court cases. Prior to joining the Carver County Attorney’s Office, she worked as a paralegal for 15 years in complex civil litigation in state and federal court, real estate, corporate contracts, and employment law.

Storms graduated from Minnesota State University in Mankato, Minnesota with Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Law Enforcement, with a minor in Business Law. She is a trained sexual assault advocate through the Sexual Violence Center, and has completed extensive training on victim services through the Minnesota Office of Justice Programs, including crisis intervention and domestic violence.