News Item

The Minnesota Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) presented Ramsey County District Court Judge John Van De North with its 2014 Trial Judge of the Year Award at the Chapter’s Annual Meeting on August 21 in Minneapolis. The award recognizes outstanding service and the promotion of integrity and civility in the courtroom, and recipients are chosen by Minnesota ABOTA’s Executive Committee.


Judge Van De North (left) being presented with the award by George Soule, President, Minnesota ABOTA.

“Governor Arne Carlson appointed Judge Van de North in 1998,” said George Soule, President, Minnesota ABOTA. “Minnesota ABOTA recognized the judge for his contributions as district court judge for 16 years. He supports the right to trial by jury and has tried countless cases, including many high-profile civil and criminal matters, in a fair, impartial, and professional manner. He promotes integrity and civility among all parties in his courtroom, and he is recognized by his colleagues as a judge’s judge, in that he is always available for advice and mentoring.”

Judge Van De North is currently presiding over the high-profile personal injury case alleging abuse by clergy members (Doe 1 vs Diocese of Winona, Thomas Adamson, Archdiocese of St Paul and Minneapolis, Archdiocese of St Paul and Minneapolis- Case Number 62-CV-13-4075) 

ABOTA is an organization of experienced and ethical trial lawyers. Its mission is to preserve the right to a civil jury trial guaranteed by the 7th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, and to elevate the standards of integrity, honor, ethics, civility, and courtesy in the legal profession.

For more information, please contact George Soule, President, Minnesota ABOTA, (612) 251-5518, gsoule@soulestull.com.