OverviewThe State Court Administrator's Office includes finance, human resources, technology, court services support, research and development, public information, education and organizational development, legal counsel, and intergovernmental relations. The State Court Administrator plans for statewide Judicial Branch needs, develops and promotes statewide administrative practices and procedures, oversees the operation of statewide court programs and strategic initiatives, and serves as a liaison with other branches of government.
Throughout the Judicial Branch, innovative business techniques and new procedures are constantly under evaluation for possible introduction at all levels in order to improve efficiency and effectiveness and to make courts more accessible to the citizens of Minnesota.
State Court Administrator Jeff Shorba took office on October 10, 2012, after having served as Deputy State Court Administrator since July 2002. Prior to joining the Judicial Branch, Jeff was the Assistant Commissioner for Management Services and General Counsel for the Minnesota Department of Corrections from 1999-2002. He served as the Associate General Counsel for Legislative and Correctional Issues in the Office of General Counsel for the Federal Bureau of Prisons, U.S. Department of Justice from 1991-1999. Prior to his service with the federal government, Jeff was in private practice with the law firm of Bell, Boyd & Lloyd in Washington, D.C. from 1989-1991. Jeff has also been a law clerk for Chief Justice Peter Popovich on the Minnesota Supreme Court from 1988-1989.
Jeff is currently a member of the Judicial Council, the administrative policy-making body for the Minnesota Judicial Branch. He is a past president of the Conference of State Court Administrators (COSCA) and former vice chair of the National Center for State Courts (NCSC) Board of Directors. Jeff is also faculty for the Institute for Court Management, a Certified Court Manager, and a member of the Minnesota State Bar.
Jeff is a 1988 cum laude graduate of Harvard Law School and received his undergraduate degree magna cum laude in 1985 from Carleton College.
Dawn Torgerson serves as Deputy State Court Administrator for the Minnesota Judicial Branch. She oversees the administrative divisions of the State Court Administrator's Office, including the areas of finance, human resources, court services, and education and organization development. She is also responsible for oversight of staff in the areas of internal audit and facilities management for the Minnesota Judicial Center. Ms. Torgerson also serves as a member of the Minnesota Judicial Council- the administrative policy-making body for the Judicial Branch.