Appointed/Elected:
Appointed July 11, 2018, by Governor Mark Dayton. Elected in 2020. Current term expires Jan. 2027.
Education:
B.A., Syracuse University, 2000.
J.D., Hamline University School of Law, 2003.
University of Minnesota, Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, Policy Fellows Program (2007 - 2008)
Prior Legal Experience:
- Judicial Referee, Hennepin County District Court (Fourth Judicial District)
- Juvenile Court (2015- 2018);
- Civil (Housing Court, Harassment Court 2012 – 2017);
- Criminal (Petty Misdemeanor Court Trials 2012 – 2017);
- Mental Health Civil Commitment April 2014 – 2016).
- Adjunct Professor, William Mitchell College of Law (now Mitchell Hamline College of Law).
- Managing/Supervising Attorney, Mid Minnesota Legal Aid.
- Minneapolis Public School District.
- Staff Attorney, Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services.
Professional Membership:
- Minnesota State Bar Association
- Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers
- Hennepin County Bar Association
- Minnesota District Judges Association
- American Judges Association
Current Professional and Community Activities:
- Board Member, Criminal Defense Services, Inc.
- Board Member, Volunteer Lawyers Network
- Minnesota Supreme Committee for Equality and Justice:
- Committee Member (January 2014 - Present);
- Education Subcommittee Chair (September 2015 – Present)
- Youth Athletics Coach, Saint Paul Parks and Recreation;
Past Professional and Community Activities:
- National Consortium on Racial and Ethnic Fairness in the Courts 2018 National Conference Planning Committee Education Subcommittee Co-Chair.
- Former Committee Member, Fourth Judicial District Equal Justice Committee;
- Former Member, Hennepin County Juvenile Detention Alternative Initiative (JDAI);
- Saint Paul Earned Safe and Sick Leave Taskforce, Co-Chair;
- Saint Paul Human Rights Commission:
- Commission Chair (October 2010 – January 2018);
- Commissioner February 2007 – October 2010)
- Former Member of the Minnesota Supreme Court Racial Fairness Committee;
- Former Member of the Minnesota State Board on Aging.