Judge Donald J. Venne

Anoka County Courthouse
Phone: (763) 422-7440

Appointed/Elected:

Appointed by Governor Rudy Perpich on June 24, 1986. Elected in 1988, 1994, 2000 and 2006. Current term expires January 2013.

Education:

J.D., William Mitchell College of Law, 1979
M.A., University of St. Thomas, 1972
B.S., St. John's University (Collegeville, MN), 1970

Employment:

Partner- Jensen, Venne & Schmidt, P.A.

Professional Leaderships and Memberships:

Minnesota State Bar Association;
Board of Governors- Family Law Section, 1996-present

Minnesota District Judges Association;
Chair- Judicial Technology Committee, 1990-present
President- 1995-1997
Chair- Family Law Committee, 1987-1993

Chair- Anoka District Judges 1999-2000

American Bar Association;
Judicial Administration Division
Law Practice Management Section

Anoka County Bar Association;
President- 1987-1988

Community Activities:

Board of Directors- Skills for Living Foundation (life skills training to at-risk youth), 1999-Present

National Board of Directors- Little Brothers and Friends of the Elderly, 1996-present

Board of Directors- Alexandra House (shelter for battered women), 1983-1990

Board of Directors- Judicare of Anoka County, Inc., 1983-1986

Director- New Folk Collective (promoting traditional music events)

Lecturing and Teaching Experience:

Adjunct Professor- William Mitchell College of Law, 2002-Present

Instructor- William Mitchell College of Law, 1997-Present

Member- Judicial Branch Technology Planning Committee, 1997-Present

Faculty Member- The National Judicial College (University of Nevada), 1991-Present

Member- Minnesota Judicial College Curriculum Committee, Minnesota Supreme Court Continuing Education, 1990-Present

Faculty- Minnesota Judicial College, 1990-Present

Adjunct Professor- Hamline University College of Law, 2000-2002

Faculty- Family Law Custody 2000

Faculty- Regional Trial Advocacy Program, National Institute for Trial Advocacy, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1999

Faculty- Minnesota Evidence, Minnesota Institute of Legal Education, 1999

Faculty- Minnesota Institute of Legal Education, 1999

Instructor- Legal Practicum, William Mitchell College of Law, 1997-1999

Faculty- Family Law Institute, Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, 1986-1993, 1995-1998

Member- Minnesota Board of Continuing Legal Education (appointed by Minnesota Supreme Court), 1994-1998

Faculty- Minnesota Law and Technology, 1997

Faculty- New Judge Orientation Program, Minnesota Supreme Court Continuing Education, 1989-1997

Member- Minnesota Judicial Education Advisory Committee, Minnesota Supreme Court Continuing Education, 1992-1996

Faculty- Court Trial Advocacy, Minnesota Advocacy Institute, 1995

Faculty- New Developments in Family Law, Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, 1993

Faculty- Third Annual American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Minnesota Family Law Conference, 1992

Faculty- Judicial Writing for New Judges, New Judge Orientation Program, Minnesota
Supreme Court Continuing Education, 1989-1991

Faculty- Spousal Maintenance, Minnesota Institute of Legal Education, 1991

Faculty- Jury Trial Advocacy, Minnesota Advocacy Institute, 1989 and 1991

Faculty- Minnesota Civil Trial Specialization, Minnesota Institute of Legal Education, 1989-1990

Faculty- Trial Preparation in Family Court, Advanced Legal Education, 1988

Faculty- Motion Practice in Family Court, Minnesota Institute of Legal Education, 1987

Additional Activities:

Joint Technology Committee, Judicial Administration Division, American Bar Association;
Vice-Chair- Technology Committee, American Bar Association Section on Criminal Law, 1995-1996
Chair- Technology and the Future of the Courts Committee, National Conference of State Trial Judges, 1995-1996 and 2001-2002

Delegate- National Conference of State Trial Judges, 1989-1998

Member- Minnesota State Court System Strategic Planning Committee, 1996-1997

Member- Minnesota State Court System Inter-Court Budget Committee, 1996-1997

Member- Commissioner's Advisory Committee for Child Support Enforcement, Minnesota Department of Human Services, 1992-1997

Member- Executive Committee, National Conference of State Trial Judges, American Bar Association, Judicial Administration Division, 1992-1995

Consultant- 19th Judicial Circuit, Lake County (Illinois), 1992

Member- Project Advisory Committee, "Facsimile Transmission of Court Documents: A Feasibility Study," National Center for State Courts, 1991

Member- Legal Services Advisory Committee, Minnesota Supreme Court, 1983-1986

Member- Judicial Branch Technology Planning Committee

Personal:

Judge Venne is married and has one daughter. He was born in Forsyth, Montana.