Appointed/Elected:

Appointed by Governor Rudy Perpich on Sept. 1, 1987. Elected 1988, 1994, 2000, 2006 and 2012. Retired on May 18, 2018.

Appointed and assigned to serve statewide as Senior Judge from July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2025.
 

Education:

• Associate of Applied Science, Culinary Arts, Saint Paul College, 2020
• ​M.L.S., University of Minnesota, 2007 – Concentration in Restorative Justice
• J.D., University of Minnesota Law School, 1974
• B.A., Macalester College, 1970

Employment:

• University of Minnesota Law School, Adjunct Professor, 2019-present
• Neighborhood Justice Center (St. Paul, Minnesota), 1979-1987
• Legal Aid Society of Minneapolis, 1974-1979

Professional Memberships:

Minnesota District Judges Association
Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers
National Bar Association
Minnesota State Bar Association
Ramsey County Bar Association
 

Professional Activities:

Ramsey County Youth Auto Theft Intervention Project Advisory Group
Sexual Violence Faculty Development Team Member
Presiding Judge, Second Judicial District Criminal Division 2008-2013
Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission, 1990-2002
Supreme Court Racial Bias Task Force, 1991-1993
St. Paul Anti-Drug Task Force, 1988-1990
 

Community Activities:

Board of Directors, World Without Genocide
Inner City Youth League
Chair, Board of Directors- Project Remand, Inc.
Board of Directors- Hallie Q. Brown Community Center, Inc.
Save Our Sons
Summit-University/Frogtown Community Circle
Mentor, University of St. Thomas Law School Mentor Program
 

Awards:

Community Service Award, Minnesota District Judges Foundation
Kay Pranis Restorative Justice Award
Upper Midwest Human Rights Fellowship
Distinguished Citizen Alumni Award, Macalester College
Judge of the Year Award, American Board of Trial Advocates
Judicial Service Award, Minnesota Minority Lawyers Association
 

International Experience:

International Judge for the United Nations Mission in Kosovo- 2003