Judge Joseph R. Klein

Hennepin County Courthouse
Fourth Judicial District
(612) 348-6000

Email
Chambers Phone: (612) 543-1235
Reporter: (612) 596-2870 – for transcript requests only
Law Clerk: (612) 543-1341
Judicial Clerk: (612) 543-1235

Fourth Judicial District Judicial Officers

Judge Joseph R. Klein

Appointed/Elected:

Appointed Sept. 8, 2009, by Governor Tim Pawlenty. Elected in 2010, 2016, and 2022. Current term expires December 31, 2028.

Education:

J.D., University of Minnesota Law School, 1986

B.A., University of Minnesota, 1982

Associate of Arts degree, Rochester Community College, 1979

Employment:

Attorney, Law Office of Andrew P. Sherwood, Roseville, 2006-2009
(House counsel for Progressive Group of Insurance Companies)

Contract attorney, Universal Underwriters Group, Edina, 2005-2006

Attorney, Zurich North American Insurance, 2004-2005

Quality assurance supervisor, Medical Evaluations, Inc., Minneapolis, 2000-2003

Attorney and shareholder, Moss and Barnett law firm, Minneapolis, 1987-2000

Professional Memberships:

Former member, Minnesota State Bar Association

  • Civil Litigation Section
  • Certified Civil Trial Specialist

Former member, Hennepin County Bar Association

Former member, Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association

Former member, Minnesota Trial Lawyers Association

Professional and Community Activities:

Volunteer judge, University of Minnesota Law School Moot Court

Volunteer attorney coach, Edina Middle School’s mock trial program

Volunteer, Loaves and Fishes

Volunteer, Girl Scout food drive to benefit Rushford flood victims, 2008

Volunteer, Urban Homeworks

Volunteer, Minnetonka Neighborhood Watch Disaster Preparedness program

Volunteer coach: Hopkins youth football, basketball, baseball and girls’ softball

Active member, Faith Presbyterian Church

Assignment History:

Criminal & Civil, 2/1/16 - Present
Criminal, 7/1/15 - 1/31/16
Juvenile, 7/2/12 - 6/30/15
Criminal & Civil, 12/2010-7/1/12
Criminal, 9/2009-11/2010

Practice Pointers & Preferences