Appointed/Elected

Appointed by Governor Tim Pawlenty in May 2007.
Elected to the Bench in November 2008.
Re-elected to the Bench in November 2014 and November 2020.
Current term expires in January 2027.
 

Education

JD, George Washington University Law School, Washington, DC (1988)
BSCE, Duke University, School of Engineering, Durham, NC (1985)
 

Employment and Professional Appointments

Assistant U.S. Attorney – District of Minnesota (2000-2007)
Partner – Downey, Brand, Seymour & Rohwer LLP, Sacramento, CA (1997-2000)
Shareholder – Leonard, Street and Deinard PA, Minneapolis, MN (1991-1997)
Director & Vice Chair – Andrews Federal Credit Union, Suitland, MD (1989-1991)
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney – District of Maryland (1988-1990)
Judge Advocate – United States Air Force, Andrews Air Force Base (1988-1991)
 

Professional Memberships

Minnesota State Bar Association (and Committees)
Hennepin County Bar Association (and Committees)
Minnesota District Judges Association
 

Professional and Community Activities

Minnesota Judicial Branch Court Operations Advisory Workgroup
Minnesota Judicial Branch Judicial Education Workgroup
Minnesota District Judges Association Executive Committee
Minnesota District Judges Association Criminal Jury Instruction Committee
Fourth Judicial District Executive Committee
Fourth Judicial District Judicial Education Committee Chair
McGhee Civil Rights Moot Court Judge
Hispanic National Bar Association Regional Moot Court Judge
New York State Bar Regional Mock Trial Judge
American Association of Justice/STAC Regional Mock Trial Judge
TYLA/ACTL Regional Mock Trial Judge
MSBA High School Mock Trial Executive Committee and Judge
Bloomington Public Schools Mock Trial Judge
Hennepin County Bar Foundation Founder’s Club
Hennepin Lawyer Committee Chair and Issue Editor
HCBA Board of Directors
HCBA Biking Club Founding Member
HCBA Diversity & Inclusion Committee
HCBA Bench & Bar Committee
Presenter/Facilitator – Continuing Legal Education Programs
Presenter – U.S. District Court “Open Doors” Program
Mentor – University of St. Thomas Law School
Presenter – University of St. Thomas Law School
Presenter – University of Minnesota Law School
Presenter – Schools in Minneapolis, Bloomington, DeLaSalle, Orono, etc.
Volunteer – Folwell School Reader/Writer Program
Volunteer – Wilderness Inquiry
Volunteer – House of Charity
Volunteer – People Serving People
Volunteer – Feed My Starving Children
Interviewer – Duke University Alumni Association
All Square GCFL
 

Additional Information

Rule-of-Law Program in the Republic of Georgia (2018)
Hennepin County Bar Association “Professionalism Award” (2017)
Rule-of-Law Program in Cuba (2013)
U.S. Secret Service “Certificate of Appreciation” (2007)
U.S. Department of Justice “Certificate of Commendation” (2005)
U.S. Secret Service “Certificate of Appreciation” (2004)
U.S. Department of Justice “Certificate of Commendation” (2003)
 

Assignment History

Probate/Mental Health - August 2024 to present
Criminal – June 2012 to August 2024
Family Court – June 2009 to June 2012
Criminal – May 2007 to June 2009

Judge Koch's full resume »