Appointed/Elected:
Appointed on Jan. 3, 2008, by Governor Tim Pawlenty. Elected in 2010, 2016, and 2022. Retired on Oct. 4, 2024. Appointed and assigned to serve statewide as Senior Judge from Nov. 4, 2024, to June 30, 2025.
Education:
J.D., Hamline University School of Law, 1989, Cum Laude
- Law Review, Dean’s List, National Dean’s Honor Roll, Merit Scholarship recipient, and American Jurisprudence Award in Evidence & Litigation Practice
B.S., University of Minnesota, Carlson School of Management, 1986
Employment:
Judge – First Judicial District: 2008 – Oct. 4, 2024
Serving: Carver, Dakota, Goodhue, LeSueur, McLeod, Scott, and Sibley counties.
- Implemented Early Neutral Evaluation in Carver County
- Implemented Children in Need of Protection and Services Mediation Pilot in Carver County for State of Minnesota Children’s Justice Initiative
- Implemented and presiding judge of Carver County Veteran’s Treatment Court, Carver Dakota Veteran’s Treatment Court, and First District Veteran’s Treatment Court
Carver County Attorneys’ Office
Assistant Carver County Attorney
- Juvenile Division Head: December 1996 – January 2008
- Civil Division: February 1996 – January 1997
- Criminal Division: March 1994 – February 1996
Minneapolis City Attorneys’ Office
Assistant City Attorney, Criminal Division: December 1992 – March 1994
Hennepin County District Court
Law Clerk to the Honorable Robert G. Schiefelbein: August 1989 – December 1992
Salmen, Brinkman & Martinson, PA
Law Clerk: May 1988 – March 1989
Minneapolis City Attorneys’ Office
Law Clerk & Intern: May 1985 – 1988
Chief Federal District Court Judge Alsop
Intern: September 1987 – December 1987
Professional Memberships:
Minnesota District Judges Association (MDJA) Board of Directors: 2011 – present
Minnesota District Judges Foundation (MDJF) Committee Co-Chair and author for the Judges Benchbook 2013-2024
Minnesota Supreme Court Children’s Justice Initiative—Pilot County: 2001 – 2024
Lead Judge, Carver County Children’s Justice Initiative: 2008 – 2024
Minnesota Supreme Court Juvenile Protection Rules Committee: 2007 – 2017
First Judicial District Equal Justice Committee: 2007 – 2015
Minnesota Supreme Court Juvenile Delinquency Rules Committee: 2001 – 2006
Minnesota Supreme Court Sentencing Forms Subcommittee: 2004 – 2005
Minnesota Supreme Court Children’s Justice Initiative Committee: 2004 – 2005
Minnesota District Judges Association: 2008 – present
Minnesota State Bar Association: 2008 – 2024
First District Bar Association: 2008 – 2024
Eighth District Bar Association: 2008 – 2024
Dakota County Bar Association: 2008 – 2024
Teaching:
Minnesota Judicial Branch Juvenile Faculty Development - develop and implement juvenile training for State of Minnesota District Court judges.
Minnesota District Judges Foundation Fall Conference
Annual Conference of Judges
State of Minnesota New Judge Orientation
Family Law Institute
Divorce Camp
Children’s Justice Initiative Conference
Criminal Justice Institute
Community Activities:
District 191 Community Education Advisory Council: 2004 – present
Speaking at local schools & community colleges: 1994 – present
Volunteer activities for District 191 Schools: 1997 – 2024
Neighborhood fundraising for many charitable organizations: 1994 – 2007
Recognition:
Inducted into the Burnsville Senior High School Hall of Fame: September 2014
MDJA/MDJF Joint Presidents Award: September 2024 (Only 2nd joint award in MDJA/MDJF history)