Appointed/Elected:
Appointed April 19, 2004, by Governor Tim Pawlenty. Elected in 2006, 2012, and 2018. Retired on Sept. 2, 2021. Appointed and assigned to serve statewide as Senior Judge from Oct. 4, 2021, to June 30, 2025.
Specialty Judicial Assignments
Juvenile Court: (2007 to 2018)
Family Dependency Treatment Court: (2008 to 2015)
Adult Drug Court: (2009 to 2015)
Education:
William Mitchell College of Law (J.D. 1987) (Law Review Editor 1985-86)
University of Minnesota (M.S. 1984) (Maternal-Child Nursing)
Northern Michigan University (B.S.N. 1979) (magna cum laude)
Employment Background:
Halleland, Lewis, Nilan, Sipkins & Johnson, Shareholder: 2000 - 2004
Allina Health System, Associate General Counsel for Litigation: 1997 - 2000
Bassford, Lockhart, Truesdell & Briggs, P.A., Shareholder: 1991 - 1997
Lommen, Nelson, Cole & Stageberg, P.A., Associate: 1987 - 1991
Registered Nurse, pediatric intensive care, adult intensive care and pediatric transport team: 1979 - 1987
Bar Admissions:
Minnesota Supreme Court (1987); Federal District Court, District of Minnesota (1987); Wisconsin Supreme Court (1993).
Teaching and Related Law School Activities:
Adjunct Professor University of Minnesota Law School in Health Law (2004 - 2005)
Legal Writing Instructor William Mitchell College of Law (1993 - 1995)
University of St. Thomas School of Law Trial Advocacy Adjunct Professor (2012 - present)
University of St. Thomas School of Law Mentor Program (2004 - present)
Judicial Trial Skills Training Program (2010 - present)
Certifications:
Certified Civil Trial Specialist – Minnesota State Bar Association
Certified in 1994, Recertified in 2000
The Advanced Science and Technology Adjudication Resource Center – ASTAR
Fellow: (2013 - present)
Professional Organizations:
Hennepin County Bar Association 4th District Ethics Committee: Chair (2004); Vice-Chair (1998 - 2003); Investigator (1993 - 1998)
Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association: President (2001 to 2002); Executive Committee (1998 - 2001); Board of Directors (1996 - 1998); Editorial Committee “Minnesota Defense” (1988 - 1993); Creative Dispute Resolution Board of Directors (1996 - 1998)
Minnesota State Bar Association (1987 - present)
Wisconsin State Bar Association (1993 - present)
Minnesota Women Lawyers (1987 - present)
Minnesota Board of Continuing Legal Education (2003 - 2009)
Minnesota Board of Legal Certification (2009 - 2015)
Minnesota District Judges Association (2004 - present)
Minnesota District Judges Association Civil Jury Instruction Guide Committee (2004 - present); Chair (2012 - present)
Minnesota Academy of Certified Trial Lawyers (1994 - present)
Judicial Activities:
Chief Judge: 2017 - June 30, 2021
First Judicial District Executive Committee: 2005 - present
Assistant Chief Judge: 2013 - 2017
Adult Detention Alternatives Initiative Executive Committee: 2015 - present
Children’s Justice Initiative: 2007 - present
Supreme Court Advisory Committee, General Rules of Practice for District Courts: 2007 - 2013; Committee Chair 2011 - 2013
Dakota County Criminal Courts Partner Workgroup: 2015 - present
Treatment Court Initiative (TCI) Committee: 2013 - present
Awards and Recognitions:
American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA): Elected 2005
Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association “President’s Award”: 2004
Defense Research Institute (DRI) “Exceptional Service Award”: 2002
Minnesota Lawyer “Lawyer of the Year”: 2001
Northern Michigan University “Distinguished Alumni Award”: 2002
Community Activities:
Minnesota State Bar Association Mock Trial Competition
- Judge (1989 - present)
- Coach: Harding High School (1990 - 1992, 1994 - 1995); Southwest Junior High School (1993); Henry Sibley High School (2003 - 2007); Eastview High School (2008 - 2014)
Wisconsin State Bar Association Mock Trial Judge (1989 - 1992)
Washburn Child Guidance Center Board of Directors (2003 - 2004)
Volunteer Veterans Court Judge: Minnesota DAV Stand-down Event (2010, 2012)
Minnesota State Horticultural Society Board of Directors (2013 -2018)
Multiple community presentations on the Judicial System for local schools, citizen police academies, and civic groups in Dakota County.