News Item
Judge Jodi L. Williamson re-elected Chief Judge of Third Judicial District
Posted: Thursday, February 21, 2019
Judge Joseph A. Bueltel re-elected as Assistant Chief Judge
The Honorable Jodi L. Williamson has been re-elected to serve as chief judge of Minnesota’s
Third Judicial District. The Honorable Judge Joseph A. Bueltel was also re-elected to serve as Assistant Chief Judge. Both were re-elected by their fellow Third Judicial District judges to serve another two-year term, effective July 1, 2019.
Judge Williamson was first elected to serve as chief judge of the Third Judicial District in 2017. She earned her juris doctorate degree from Hamline University School of Law, and her Bachelor of Arts degree from Marquette University. Chief Judge Williamson was appointed to the bench in January of 2000. Before her appointment to the bench, Chief Judge Williamson worked as a law clerk, and as an assistant city attorney for Rochester, operated a private civil practice, and served as an assistant public defender for the Third Judicial District. She is chambered in the Dodge County Courthouse in Mantorville.
“Serving as chief judge of the Third Judicial District for the last two years has been an incredible privilege. I am honored that my colleagues have renewed their trust in my leadership locally and at the state level.” said Chief Judge Williamson. “I look forward to serving with Assistant Chief Judge Bueltel once again.”
Judge Bueltel was elected to serve as assistant chief judge for the first time in 2017. He earned his juris doctorate from William Mitchell College of Law, and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota. Chief Judge Bueltel was appointed to the bench in April of 2002. He previously served as an assistant public defender and chief public defender for the Third Judicial District, worked in private practice, and served as a law clerk. His chambers are located in the Steele County Courthouse.
By statute, the chief judge of a judicial district exercises general administrative authority over the courts within the district, including assigning judges to serve in locations throughout the district. The chief judge of each judicial district also serves as a member of the
Minnesota Judicial Council, the administrative policy-making authority for the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No judge may serve as chief judge or assistant chief judge for more than two consecutive two-year terms.