Appointed/Elected:

Appointed on Jan. 3, 2008, by Governor Tim Pawlenty.  Elected in 2010, 2016, and 2022. Current term expires January 2029.
 

Education:

J.D., Hamline University School of Law, 1989, Cum Laude

• Law Review, Dean’s List, National Dean’s Honor Roll, Merit Scholarship recipient, and American Jurisprudence Award in Evidence & Litigation Practice

B.S., University of Minnesota, Carlson School of Management, 1986

• Dean’s List

Employment:

Judge – First Judicial District: 2008 – present
Serving: Carver, Dakota, Goodhue, LeSueur, McLeod, Scott, and Sibley counties.

• Implemented Early Neutral Evaluation in Carver County
• Implemented CHIPS Mediation Pilot in Carver County for State of Minnesota Children’s Justice Initiative
• Implemented and presiding judge of Carver County Veterans Court

Carver County Attorneys’ Office
Assistant Carver County Attorney

• Juvenile Division Head: December 1996 – January 2008
• Civil Division: February 1996 – January 1997
• Criminal Division: March 1994 – February 1996

Minneapolis City Attorneys’ Office
Assistant City Attorney, Criminal Division: December 1992 – March 1994

Hennepin County District Court
Law Clerk to the Honorable Robert G. Schiefelbein: August 1989 – December 1992

Salmen, Brinkman & Martinson, PA
Law Clerk: May 1988 – March 1989

Minneapolis City Attorneys’ Office
Law Clerk & Intern: May 1985 – 1988

Chief Federal District Court Judge Alsop
Intern: September 1987 – December 1987
 

Professional Memberships:

Minnesota District Judges Association Board of Directors: 2011 - present
Minnesota Supreme Court Children’s Justice Initiative—Pilot County: 2001 - present
Lead Judge, Carver County Children’s Justice Initiative: 2008 – present
Minnesota Supreme Court Juvenile Protection Rules Committee: 2007 - 2017
First Judicial District Equal Justice Committee: 2007 - 2015
Minnesota Supreme Court Juvenile Delinquency Rules Committee: 2001 - 2006
Minnesota Supreme Court Sentencing Forms Subcommittee: 2004 - 2005
Minnesota Supreme Court Children’s Justice Initiative Committee: 2004 - 2005
Minnesota District Judges Association: 2008 – present
Minnesota State Bar Association: 2008 – present
First District Bar Association: 2008 - present
Eighth District Bar Association: 2008 - present
Dakota County Bar Association: 2008 - present
 

Teaching:

Minnesota Judicial Branch Juvenile Faculty Development  - develop and implement juvenile training for State of Minnesota District Court judges.
Minnesota District Judges Foundation Fall Conference
Annual Conference of Judges
State of Minnesota New Judge Orientation
Family Law Institute
Divorce Camp
Children’s Justice Initiative Conference
Criminal Justice Institute
 

Community Activities:

District 191 Community Education Advisory Council: 2004 - present
Speaking at local schools & community colleges: 1994 - present
Volunteer activities for District 191 Schools: 1997 - present
Neighborhood fundraising for many charitable organizations: 1994 – 2007
 

Recognition:

Inducted into the Burnsville Senior High School Hall of Fame: September 2014