Referee James Watchke-Koranne

Appointed/Elected:

Appointed September 2, 2025

Education:

• J.D., Hamline University School of Law
• Certificate in Dispute Resolution, Hamline University Dispute Resolution Institute
• M.A., Hamline University
• B.A., University of Minnesota – Twin Cities

Past Employment:

• Judicial Referee, State of Minnesota Tenth Judicial District
• Human Services Judge, Minnesota Department of Human Services
• Program Director, Conflict Resolution Center, Minneapolis, MN

Professional Memberships:

• Minnesota State Bar Association
• Ramsey County Bar Association
• 11^th District Bar Association
• Minnesota Lavender Bar Association

Professional and Community Activities (Present and Past):

• Hearing Officer, St. Paul Public Housing Agency
• Arbitrator, Better Business Bureau (BBB) of Minnesota and North Dakota
• MN Rule 114 Qualified Family and Civil Mediator
• Conciliation Court Referee, State of Minnesota Second Judicial District
• Mediator, Minneapolis Department of Civil Rights
• Volunteer Attorney, Volunteer Lawyers Network
• Panelist, Volunteer Lawyers Network Annual Housing Law Seminar 2022
• Panelist, Minnesota Association for Guardianship and Conservatorship (MAGiC) Annual Conference 2024
• Panelist, Minnesota Lavender Bar Association Annual Conference 2025
• Panelist, Volunteer Lawyers Network Annual Housing Law Seminar 2025