Elected:
Elected in 2010 and 2016. Current term expires Jan. 2023.
Education:
William Mitchell College of Law, Juris Doctor, 1983
Law Review, 1982-1983
Saint Olaf College, Bachelor of Arts, 1979
History and Social Studies Education
Professional:
District Court Judge, Fifth Judicial District, chambers in Mankato, MN, June 20, 2002-present.
Gislason & Hunter, LLP, New Ulm, MN, 1983-2002
Professional Highlights and Accomplishments:
- Drug Court Judge, Blue Earth County Drug Court, 2005-present
- Judge, Blue Earth County Family Dependency Treatment Court, 2009-present
- Member, Civil Justice Forum
- Lead Judge, Blue Earth County, Children’s Justice Initiative
- Member, Supreme Court Advisory Committee on the Rules of Civil Appellate Procedure
- Member, Judicial College Planning Committee, 2006-2007
- Participant and presenter in multiple Continuing Legal and Judicial Education seminars and education programs for attorneys and Judges
- Civil Trial Specialist, Certified by Civil Litigation Section, MN State Bar Assn., 1994
- Qualified ADR Neutral, Mediation and Arbitration
- Selected by peers for inclusion in Minnesota's Law & Politics Magazine as a "Super Lawyer", 2001 and 2002
- Handled a wide range of civil litigation matters including multi-million dollar plaintiff and defense personal injury cases
- Involved as counsel in multiple appellate matters, including Grossman v. Aerial Farm Service, Inc., 401 N.W.2d 676 (Minn. App. 1987); State v. Patten, 416 N.W.2d 168 (Minn. App. 1987); Central Collection Services, Inc. v. Reynolds, 438 N.W.2d 396 (Minn. App. 1989); Jirik ex rel. Jirik v. Auto Owners Ins. Co., 595 N.W.2d 219 (Minn. App. 1999); Snilsberg v. Lake Washington Club, 614 N.W.2d 738 (Minn. App. 2000); Clarke v. Illinois Farmers Ins. Co., 1993 WL 390209 (Minn. App. 1993); Wohlrabe v. Bell, 1994 WL 102039 (Minn. App. 1994); Jirik v. Auto Owners Ins. Co., 1999 WL 1103361 (Minn. App. 1999)
Professional Associations and Societies:
Minnesota State Bar Association
Sixth District Bar Association
Minnesota District Judges Association
Civic and Community Activities:
Christ the King Lutheran Church
- Member
- Confirmation guide and mentor
- Former Council member
- Former Building Committee chairman
- Former Council President
Former coach and member
- New Ulm Basketball Association
- New Ulm Junior Baseball Association
- New Ulm Area Football Association
Mock Trial coach and Judge
Assistant Scout Master and Merit Badge Counselor, Boy Scout Troop 25
Former volunteer attorney, Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services
Former Director and President, New Ulm United Way
Former member, Lions Club of New Ulm and the North Mankato Rotary Club