News Item
Margaret H. Chutich sworn in as 93rd Minnesota Supreme Court Justice; Diane B. Bratvold sworn in as 54th Minnesota Court of Appeals judge

Posted: Friday, April 22, 2016

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The Honorable Margaret H. Chutich was sworn in as the 93rd Associate Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court, and the Honorable Diane B. Bratvold was sworn in as the 54th Judge of the Minnesota Court of Appeals, during a public investiture ceremony on Friday, April 22. The ceremony was held at the Landmark Center in downtown St. Paul.
 
Governor Mark Dayton announced the appointments of Justice Chutich and Judge Bratvold on January 22, 2016. Justice Chutich was appointed to the Minnesota Supreme Court from the Minnesota Court of Appeals, replacing the Honorable Wilhelmina M. Wright, who now serves as a U.S. District Court Judge for the District of Minnesota. Judge Bratvold, formerly a District Court Judge for the Fourth Judicial District in Hennepin County, was appointed to fill Justice Chutich’s position on the Court of Appeals.
 
Governor Dayton presented Justice Chutich and Judge Bratvold at the investiture ceremony. Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Lorie S. Gildea welcomed guests, and Chief Judge Edward J. Cleary provided remarks on behalf of the Minnesota Court of Appeals. United States Court of Appeals Judge Diana E. Murphy spoke on behalf of Justice Chutich, and former Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice, and partner at Robins Kaplan LLP, Eric J. Magnuson spoke on behalf of Judge Bratvold. President Michael Unger presented remarks on behalf of the Minnesota State Bar Association.
 
“Having been born and raised in Minnesota, I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the people of Minnesota on this well-regarded court,” said Justice Chutich. “I will work hard to ensure that the parties’ voices are heard and carefully considered as the court weighs and determines challenging issues.”
 
“As a trial court judge, I developed a keen appreciation for how the courts affect people’s lives,” said Judge Bratvold. “I am honored that Governor Dayton has asked me to use this experience as a judge on the Minnesota Court of Appeals.”
 
About the Honorable Margaret H. Chutich
 
Governor Mark Dayton announced the appointment of Margaret H. Chutich to the Minnesota Supreme Court on January 22, 2016. Justice Chutich replaced the Honorable Wilhelmina M. Wright, who now serves as a U.S. District Court Judge for the District of Minnesota.
 
Justice Chutich previously served as an at-large Judge on the Minnesota Court of Appeals following her appointment to the Court by Governor Dayton in 2012. Before joining the bench, Justice Chutich served as Assistant Dean at the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs, as Deputy Attorney General of the Law Enforcement Section with the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office, and as an Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Minnesota.
 
Justice Chutich earned her B.A. from the University of Minnesota and her J.D. cum laude from the University of Michigan Law School. After completing law school, Justice Chutich was law clerk for the Honorable Diana E. Murphy, United States District Court Judge for the District of Minnesota. She then spent five years as an attorney with the law firms of Tanick & Heins and Opperman Heins & Paquin.
 
About the Honorable Diane B. Bratvold
 
Governor Mark Dayton announced the appointment of Diane B. Bratvold to the Minnesota Court of Appeals on January 22, 2016. Judge Bratvold replaces Justice Chutich as at-large judge on the Minnesota Court of Appeals.
 
Judge Bratvold previously served as a District Court Judge for the Fourth Judicial District, following her appointment by Governor Dayton in 2014. She is also an adjunct professor in appellate advocacy at the University of St. Thomas Law School and an officer in the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers. She previously served as a shareholder with Briggs and Morgan, P.A., where her practice focused on civil appeals and advice to clients and trial counsel.
 
Judge Bratvold earned her B.A. summa cum laude from Macalester College and her J.D. cum laude from the University of Minnesota School of Law. After completing law school, Judge Bratvold spent 13 years as an attorney at Fetterly & Gordon, P.A. and six years as a partner and associate at Rider Bennett, L.L.P. She was also a volunteer attorney with Advocates for Human Rights.