News Item
The Honorable Ivy S. Bernhardson Re-Elected as Fourth Judicial District Chief Judge
Posted: Thursday, May 10, 2018
The Honorable Judge Toddrick S. Barnette to Serve as Assistant Chief Judge
The Honorable Ivy S. Bernhardson has been re-elected as chief judge of Minnesota’s Fourth Judicial District by her fellow district court judges. She will serve her second two-year term as chief judge beginning July 1, 2018.
Chief Judge Bernhardson has served the Fourth Judicial District since May 2007. She has served as chief judge for the past two years, previously serving as assistant chief judge. She started her law career as a Staff Attorney at General Mills in 1978 before ascending to the role of Associate General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, which she held from 1996-2000. Chief Judge Bernhardson earned her juris doctorate degree from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1978, and her bachelor of arts degree from Gustavus Adolphus College in 1973.
“It is a privilege to continue to serve as chief judge in the Fourth District, and to work with my colleagues to provide access to justice while seeking more innovative and effective ways to serve the public and ensure public trust in our courts,” said Chief Judge Bernhardson.
The Honorable Judge Toddrick S. Barnette was elected to serve as assistant chief judge of the Fourth District. He was appointed to the bench in February 2006. He worked as a Senior Attorney at both the Office of the Hennepin County Public Defender and the Office of the Hennepin County Attorney prior to his appointment to the bench. Judge Barnette earned his juris doctorate degree from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1992. He earned his bachelor’s degree from George Washington University in 1988.
“I’m honored to be re-elected as the assistant chief judge,” said Judge Barnette. “I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues and court staff in fulfilling the mission of the Fourth Judicial District Court. Our mission is to provide justice through a system that assures equal access for fair and timely resolution of cases and controversies.”
A chief judge of a judicial district exercises general administrative authority over the courts within the district, including assigning judges to serve in locations throughout the district according to Minnesota state statute. The chief judge of each judicial district serves as a member of the Minnesota Judicial Council, the administrative policy-making authority for the Minnesota Judicial Branch.