Experience & Qualifications
“I'm human and I'm honest, and I want what's best for this community. I want this community to make sure they have support, both law enforcement and community members at large.” — M. Esther Sherman
Embedded Files
Education
2006-2020
Education
2006-2020
New York University School of Law
Master of Laws (LL.M.), Taxation
An advanced law degree specializing in tax law.
University of Oregon School of Law
Juris Doctor (J.D.)
Boston University
Master of Fine Arts in Screenwriting
California Baptist University
Bachelor's Degree, Sociology
Third Judicial District
Minnesota Board of Public Defense - Assistant Public Defender | 2026-Present
Third Judicial District
Minnesota Board of Public Defense - Assistant Public Defender | 2026-Present
As a Public Defender, M Esther Sherman represents individuals in criminal and juvenile matters, including a significant caseload involving serious felony offenses throughout Minnesota's Third Judicial District. Responsibilities include advising clients, evaluating evidence, conducting legal research, litigating cases, court appearances, handling hearings and trials, and ensuring every person receives the fair process guaranteed under the law. Much of this caseload is focused heavily on criminal sexual conduct cases.
As a Public Defender, M Esther Sherman represents individuals in criminal and juvenile matters, including a significant caseload involving serious felony offenses throughout Minnesota's Third Judicial District. Responsibilities include advising clients, evaluating evidence, conducting legal research, litigating cases, court appearances, handling hearings and trials, and ensuring every person receives the fair process guaranteed under the law. Much of this caseload is focused heavily on criminal sexual conduct cases.
How this benefits Steele County
Serving as both a prosecutor and a public defender provides a unique perspective on the criminal justice system. It strengthens a prosecutor's ability to evaluate evidence objectively, recognize legal issues early, anticipate defenses, and ensure cases are built on solid legal and ethical foundations. M Esther Sherman has shared that this experience reinforced her belief that prosecutors should pursue justice—not simply convictions—and that public safety is best served by making thoughtful, evidence-based decisions.
How this benefits Steele County
Serving as both a prosecutor and a public defender provides a unique perspective on the criminal justice system. It strengthens a prosecutor's ability to evaluate evidence objectively, recognize legal issues early, anticipate defenses, and ensure cases are built on solid legal and ethical foundations. M Esther Sherman has shared that this experience reinforced her belief that prosecutors should pursue justice—not simply convictions—and that public safety is best served by making thoughtful, evidence-based decisions.
Steele County
Assistant Steele County Attorney | 2024 – 2025
Steele County
Assistant Steele County Attorney | 2024 – 2025
M Esther Sherman served the public by prosecuting criminal matters, with much of her work focused on serious felony cases involving victims and all of Steele County's juvenile caseload. M Esther Sherman evaluated evidence, made charging and case-resolution decisions, worked with victims and law enforcement, appeared in court, and prosecuted cases through jury trial.
M Esther Sherman served the public by prosecuting criminal matters, with much of her work focused on serious felony cases involving victims and all of Steele County's juvenile caseload. M Esther Sherman evaluated evidence, made charging and case-resolution decisions, worked with victims and law enforcement, appeared in court, and prosecuted cases through jury trial.
During her time as an Assistant Steele County Attorney, M. Esther Sherman participated in four jury trials involving serious criminal offenses, obtaining convictions in each. In one of her final cases as an Assistant Steele County Attorney, M. Esther Sherman prosecuted a serious criminal sexual conduct case that resulted in a jury conviction for First-Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct. The defendant was later sentenced to 306 months in prison.
During her time as an Assistant Steele County Attorney, M. Esther Sherman participated in four jury trials involving serious criminal offenses, obtaining convictions in each. In one of her final cases as an Assistant Steele County Attorney, M. Esther Sherman prosecuted a serious criminal sexual conduct case that resulted in a jury conviction for First-Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct. The defendant was later sentenced to 306 months in prison.
In addition to her criminal and juvenile work, M Esther Sherman handled all of Steele County's Tax Court cases. In two property-tax challenges, she identified deficiencies in how the cases had been legally initiated, researched and briefed the issues, and filed motions with the Tax Court. Before the scheduled hearing, opposing counsel withdrew both challenges and the cases were dismissed.
In addition to her criminal and juvenile work, M Esther Sherman handled all of Steele County's Tax Court cases. In two property-tax challenges, she identified deficiencies in how the cases had been legally initiated, researched and briefed the issues, and filed motions with the Tax Court. Before the scheduled hearing, opposing counsel withdrew both challenges and the cases were dismissed.
One of M. Esther Sherman's most important accomplishments with Steele County was helping develop the county's truancy initiatives while serving as co-chair of Steele County's Restorative Practices Committee. Representing the Steele County Attorney's Office, she worked in partnership with local schools and community organizations to strengthen early intervention and restorative approaches for youth. The work brought together partners across the community, including the Steele County Attorney's Office, local schools, Minnesota Prairie County Alliance (MNPrairie), United Way of Steele County, law enforcement, Community Corrections, and other community partners. These collaborative efforts worked alongside United Way's UPLIFT program to strengthen early-intervention and restorative approaches for youth. Rather than relying solely on the court system after problems had escalated, these partnerships focused on identifying barriers, connecting youth and families with resources, improving school engagement, and meeting student's needs where they're at to encourge school attendance.
One of M. Esther Sherman's most important accomplishments with Steele County was helping develop the county's truancy initiatives while serving as co-chair of Steele County's Restorative Practices Committee. Representing the Steele County Attorney's Office, she worked in partnership with local schools and community organizations to strengthen early intervention and restorative approaches for youth. The work brought together partners across the community, including the Steele County Attorney's Office, local schools, Minnesota Prairie County Alliance (MNPrairie), United Way of Steele County, law enforcement, Community Corrections, and other community partners. These collaborative efforts worked alongside United Way's UPLIFT program to strengthen early-intervention and restorative approaches for youth. Rather than relying solely on the court system after problems had escalated, these partnerships focused on identifying barriers, connecting youth and families with resources, improving school engagement, and meeting student's needs where they're at to encourge school attendance.
How This Experience Strengthens Her as County Attorney
M. Esther Sherman has already performed many of the core responsibilities of the Steele County Attorney's Office and is ready to hit the ground running. Her experience includes serious felony prosecution, jury trials, victim advocacy, juvenile cases, truancy, collaboration with schools and law enforcement, restorative justice, and civil Tax Court litigation.
How This Experience Strengthens Her as County Attorney
M. Esther Sherman has already performed many of the core responsibilities of the Steele County Attorney's Office and is ready to hit the ground running. Her experience includes serious felony prosecution, jury trials, victim advocacy, juvenile cases, truancy, collaboration with schools and law enforcement, restorative justice, and civil Tax Court litigation.
Her Tax Court experience is particularly valuable because the County Attorney's Office does more than prosecute crimes—it also represents and protects the county's interests in civil legal matters. M. Esther Sherman's experience demonstrates an ability to research complex legal questions, identify important statutory and procedural issues, prepare legal arguments, and protect the county's financial interests.
Her Tax Court experience is particularly valuable because the County Attorney's Office does more than prosecute crimes—it also represents and protects the county's interests in civil legal matters. M. Esther Sherman's experience demonstrates an ability to research complex legal questions, identify important statutory and procedural issues, prepare legal arguments, and protect the county's financial interests.
Her work with juveniles, truancy, and restorative practices demonstrates another important part of the County Attorney's role: addressing problems before they escalate into more serious involvement with the criminal justice system. Effective juvenile intervention requires collaboration among prosecutors, schools, law enforcement, social services, Community Corrections, families, and community organizations. M. Esther Sherman has experience working across these systems to build partnerships focused on early intervention while maintaining accountability and protecting public safety.
Her work with juveniles, truancy, and restorative practices demonstrates another important part of the County Attorney's role: addressing problems before they escalate into more serious involvement with the criminal justice system. Effective juvenile intervention requires collaboration among prosecutors, schools, law enforcement, social services, Community Corrections, families, and community organizations. M. Esther Sherman has experience working across these systems to build partnerships focused on early intervention while maintaining accountability and protecting public safety.
At the same time, her experience prosecuting serious felony cases demonstrates that she is prepared to pursue serious consequences when necessary to protect victims and the community. Her prosecutorial experience included felony jury trials and cases involving victims, including First-Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct.
At the same time, her experience prosecuting serious felony cases demonstrates that she is prepared to pursue serious consequences when necessary to protect victims and the community. Her prosecutorial experience included felony jury trials and cases involving victims, including First-Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct.
Together, these experiences reflect M. Esther Sherman's approach to prosecution: protect public safety, support victims, make decisions based on the law and evidence, protect constitutional rights, and use public resources responsibly.
Together, these experiences reflect M. Esther Sherman's approach to prosecution: protect public safety, support victims, make decisions based on the law and evidence, protect constitutional rights, and use public resources responsibly.
“The oath you take as a prosecutor is to justice, it's not to winning.” — M. Esther Sherman
“The oath you take as a prosecutor is to justice, it's not to winning.” — M. Esther Sherman
Minnesotal Judical Branch
Judicial Law Clerk | 2021 – 2024
Minnesotal Judical Branch
Judicial Law Clerk | 2021 – 2024
Served six months as a volunteer law clerk followed by three and a half years as a full-time judicial law clerk. M. Esther Sherman conducted extensive legal research, analyzed case law and statutes, reviewed evidence and court records, drafted legal memoranda and proposed orders, and provided legal analysis to assist the court in resolving criminal and civil matters.
Served six months as a volunteer law clerk followed by three and a half years as a full-time judicial law clerk. M. Esther Sherman conducted extensive legal research, analyzed case law and statutes, reviewed evidence and court records, drafted legal memoranda and proposed orders, and provided legal analysis to assist the court in resolving criminal and civil matters.
During this time, M. Esther Sherman worked on approximately 1,000 felony cases, gaining exposure to cases from the filing of the complaint through trial and sentencing and developing a comprehensive understanding of the criminal justice process.
During this time, M. Esther Sherman worked on approximately 1,000 felony cases, gaining exposure to cases from the filing of the complaint through trial and sentencing and developing a comprehensive understanding of the criminal justice process.
How This Experience Strengthens Her as County Attorney
Working within the court provided M. Esther Sherman with a perspective few prosecutors have: an understanding of how criminal cases look from the other side of the bench. She gained firsthand insight into how judges evaluate evidence, analyze legal arguments, apply statutes and case law, and determine whether the information presented by attorneys is sufficient to make legally sound decisions.
How This Experience Strengthens Her as County Attorney
Working within the court provided M. Esther Sherman with a perspective few prosecutors have: an understanding of how criminal cases look from the other side of the bench. She gained firsthand insight into how judges evaluate evidence, analyze legal arguments, apply statutes and case law, and determine whether the information presented by attorneys is sufficient to make legally sound decisions.
That experience can help a County Attorney identify legal issues before they become problems, evaluate cases critically, present stronger arguments, and ensure prosecutors provide the court with the information necessary to reach legally sound decisions.
That experience can help a County Attorney identify legal issues before they become problems, evaluate cases critically, present stronger arguments, and ensure prosecutors provide the court with the information necessary to reach legally sound decisions.
Combined with her later experience as both a prosecutor and public defender, her judicial clerkship gives M. Esther Sherman an unusually broad understanding of how a criminal case moves through the justice system.
Combined with her later experience as both a prosecutor and public defender, her judicial clerkship gives M. Esther Sherman an unusually broad understanding of how a criminal case moves through the justice system.
U.S. Senate Finance Committee - Washington D.C.
Tax Team Law Clerk | 2018
U.S. Senate Finance Committee - Washington D.C.
Tax Team Law Clerk | 2018
As a law clerk with the U.S. Senate Finance Committee's Tax Team, M. Esther Sherman conducted legal and policy research on federal tax issues, analyzed proposed legislation, drafted legal memoranda and briefing materials, reviewed statutory language, and contributed to the development and evaluation of federal tax legislation.
As a law clerk with the U.S. Senate Finance Committee's Tax Team, M. Esther Sherman conducted legal and policy research on federal tax issues, analyzed proposed legislation, drafted legal memoranda and briefing materials, reviewed statutory language, and contributed to the development and evaluation of federal tax legislation.
This experience provided firsthand insight into how laws and public policy are developed, analyzed, and implemented—and how legal decisions can have significant financial consequences for governments and the people they serve. M. Esther Sherman later built upon this experience by earning a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Taxation, an advanced law degree focused specifically on tax law.
This experience provided firsthand insight into how laws and public policy are developed, analyzed, and implemented—and how legal decisions can have significant financial consequences for governments and the people they serve. M. Esther Sherman later built upon this experience by earning a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Taxation, an advanced law degree focused specifically on tax law.
How This Experience Strengthens Her as County Attorney
A County Attorney's responsibilities extend well beyond criminal prosecution. The office must interpret statutes, advise county government, handle complex criminal and civil legal matters, and protect the county's legal and financial interests. Fiscal responsibility is a priority for M. Esther Sherman. Her background in tax law, public policy, and county litigation gives her a unique understanding of how legal decisions affect public resources. As County Attorney, she will approach those decisions with an emphasis on protecting taxpayer dollars, considering the financial consequences of legal decisions, and ensuring public resources are used responsibly while meeting the county's legal obligations.
How This Experience Strengthens Her as County Attorney
A County Attorney's responsibilities extend well beyond criminal prosecution. The office must interpret statutes, advise county government, handle complex criminal and civil legal matters, and protect the county's legal and financial interests. Fiscal responsibility is a priority for M. Esther Sherman. Her background in tax law, public policy, and county litigation gives her a unique understanding of how legal decisions affect public resources. As County Attorney, she will approach those decisions with an emphasis on protecting taxpayer dollars, considering the financial consequences of legal decisions, and ensuring public resources are used responsibly while meeting the county's legal obligations.
M. Esther Sherman's experience with the U.S. Senate Finance Committee provided experience analyzing legislation, interpreting statutory language, researching complex legal issues, and considering the financial and policy consequences of government decisions.
M. Esther Sherman's experience with the U.S. Senate Finance Committee provided experience analyzing legislation, interpreting statutory language, researching complex legal issues, and considering the financial and policy consequences of government decisions.
Combined with her LL.M. in Taxation and experience handling Steele County's entire Tax Court caseload, M. Esther Sherman brings a particularly strong foundation for navigating the complex legal and financial responsibilities of the County Attorney's Office.
Combined with her LL.M. in Taxation and experience handling Steele County's entire Tax Court caseload, M. Esther Sherman brings a particularly strong foundation for navigating the complex legal and financial responsibilities of the County Attorney's Office.
Why Her Experience Matters
Why Her Experience Matters
M Esther Sherman's career has provided experience from every major perspective of the criminal justice system:
M Esther Sherman's career has provided experience from every major perspective of the criminal justice system:
- Legislative – analyzing law and public policy at the federal level.
- Judicial – understanding how courts evaluate cases.
- Prosecution – representing the State and advocating for victims.
- Defense – protecting constitutional rights and ensuring due process.
She has often said that seeing the system from all four perspectives gives her the ability to make better decisions because justice requires understanding how every part of the system works together. Her guiding principle remains simple:
"Does it serve justice to prove this beyond a reasonable doubt?" — M. Esther Sherman
She has often said that seeing the system from all four perspectives gives her the ability to make better decisions because justice requires understanding how every part of the system works together. Her guiding principle remains simple:
"Does it serve justice to prove this beyond a reasonable doubt?" — M. Esther Sherman
Help Elect M. Esther Sherman
Help Elect M. Esther Sherman
The biggest challenge facing any write-in campaign is simple: voters have to know there is another choice.
That’s where you can make a difference.
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Whether you have a few minutes to share a post, space for a yard sign, time to volunteer, or the ability to contribute, every bit of support helps.
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