News Item
Sommerville appointed Ninth Judicial District Administrator

Posted: Thursday, July 18, 2019

On behalf of the 24 judges of Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District, Chief Judge Tamara L. Yon has appointed Bob Sommerville to serve as District Administrator. The appointment was approved by the Minnesota Judicial Council on Thursday, July 18, 2019. The appointment will be effective on August 7, 2019.
 
”Bob Sommerville brings a wealth of experience and knowledge of the unique needs of the Ninth Judicial District to his appointment,” said Chief Judge Yon. “He has built vital relationships with judges, staff, and judicial partners across the state and District during his 16 years working at all levels for the Judicial Branch. I look forward to working closely with him in his new role. This is an exciting moment for the Ninth Judicial District. I thank outgoing District Administrator Paul Maatz for his tireless service to the District throughout his 40 years of service.”
 
Sommerville currently serves as Deputy District Administrator for the Ninth Judicial District, a position he has held since 2018. He earned his Bachelor of Arts and later Master of Public Policy degrees from the University of Minnesota. Starting as a senior court clerk for the Fourth Judicial District shortly after his graduation, Sommerville quickly rose through the ranks working as a court operations leadworker, a court operations supervisor, and a court operations manager for the District. In 2013 he took a position as a multi-county court administrator in the Ninth Judicial District for Beltrami and Cass district courts. He held that position until taking the Deputy District Administrator position for the Ninth Judicial District.
 
In the Ninth Judicial District, Sommerville has overseen the local Administrative Strategic Plan, developed and implemented the New Judge Orientation Program, coordinated with justice partners, and has formally represented the District on numerous committees and working groups. He is a graduate of the National Center for State Court’s Certified Court Manager and Certified Court Executive programs.
 
As District Administrator, Sommerville will oversee the administrative affairs of the Ninth Judicial District, including management and processing of all court records and files, budgeting and accounting, human resources, and maintenance of the District’s information technology infrastructure.
 
Sommerville will replace Paul Maatz, who announced his retirement from the Minnesota Judicial Branch after 40 years of service. Maatz served as an innovator for the Trial Court Information System, better known as TCIS, in his first roles as Court Administrator for Lac qui Parle County in 1979, and taking over the same position in Clay County beginning in 1985. TCIS was the initial case records management system that lead the way for the current Minnesota Court Information System (MNCIS). Maatz became the Ninth Judicial District Deputy District Administrator in 1991, and was appointed District Administrator in 2000.