Appointed/Elected:

Appointed September 25, 1995, by Governor Arne Carlson.  Elected 1996, 2002 and 2008.

Retired June 3, 2013.

Appointed and assigned to serve statewide as Senior Judge from July 12, 2021, to June 30, 2025.

Education:

B.A. 1970 (Cum laude/Member of Honors Program) St. John's University, Collegeville, Minnesota.

J.D. 1973 University of Minnesota Law School.

Employment Background:

Partner Hughes, Thoreen & Sullivan (1975-1991) Founding Partner Hughes, Thoreen, Mathews & Knapp (1991-1994) Fouding Shareholder/Partner, Hughes, Thoreen & Knapp (1994-1995)

Practiced in the St. Cloud area in private practice from 1973-1995.  Areas of practice included general civil litigation, including personal injury/worker's compensation, commercial litigation, family/marital dissolution, real estate sale/transfer/finance, including real estate litigation.

Member and Arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association involving commercial and no-fault automobile arbitration disputes.

Professional Affiliations:

Minnesota State Bar Association (chairman of Professionalism Committee)
Seventh District Bar Association (past president)
Stearns-Benson Bar Association (past president)
Former Lead Judge for Children's Justice Initiative for Benton County

Civic Activities:

Catholic Aid Life Insurance (former vice president and vice chairman of the Grand Council/Board of Trustees 1987-1995)

Former Executive Board Member of the St. Cloud Area Family YMCA

Former President of the St. Cloud Lions Club

Former President Central Minnesota Chapter St. John's University Alumni Association

Member/Board service for many additional local charitable, civic and church organizations in the St. Cloud area