News Item
Brian Jones Appointed First Judicial District Administrator

Posted: Monday, January 26, 2015

On behalf of the judges in Minnesota’s First Judicial District, Chief Judge Terrence E. Conkel has appointed Brian E. Jones as district administrator of Minnesota’s First Judicial District. The Minnesota Judicial Council approved the appointment on January 15, and the appointment is effective March 18, 2015. 

Jones currently serves as the assistant district administrator for the First Judicial District, a position he has held since 2001. He began his career in Minnesota’s court system in the Fourth Judicial District (Hennepin County) in 1997. Prior to joining the Minnesota Judicial Branch, he was employed by Target Corporation and the League of Minnesota Cities.

Jones has a J.D. from Hamline University School of Law, as well as an M.B.A. and B.S. from North Dakota State University. He was named a Certified Court Manager in 2009 by the National Center for State Courts, and is currently pursuing Certified Court Executive certification.

While serving as assistant district administrator for the First Judicial District, Jones has been actively involved in the Minnesota Judicial Branch’s eCourtMN initiative – the historic, multi-year effort that is transitioning Minnesota’s courts from a paper to an electronic information environment. Jones has been a co-lead on the statewide eCourtMN Communications Workgroup, and has helped oversee the pilot testing of electronic filing and service of court documents in Dakota County.

“As our court system works to improve our service to the public through technological innovation, it is important that we have forward-thinking leaders who are ready to address the challenges and take advantage of the opportunities that lie ahead,” said Chief Judge Conkel. “Brian is a trusted, respected leader, with a clear vision of how we can leverage these new technologies to improve our efficiency, enhance access to the courts, and better meet the needs of our customers.”

As district administrator, Jones will oversee the administrative affairs of the district, including management and processing of all court records and files; district budgeting and accounting; human resources; and maintenance of the district’s information technology infrastructure.

Jones will replace Gerald Winter, who has announced his retirement from the Minnesota Judicial Branch after 35 years of service, including 30 years as the District Administrator for the First Judicial District.