Appointed/Elected:
Appointed July 1, 2016, by Governor Mark Dayton. Elected in 2018 and 2024.
Education:
J.D., American University, Washington College of Law
B.S., St. John’s University
Past Employment:
- Associate Clinical Professor of Law, University of Minnesota Law School
- Special Counsel, Civil Rights Division, Office of the Assistant Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice
- Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Civil Rights Division, Office of the Assistant Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice
- Chief, Criminal Section, Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice
- Special Assistant United States Attorney, U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota
- Assistant Public Defender, Maryland Office of the Public Defender
Professional Activities:
Adjunct Professor, Univeristy of Minnesota Law School
(co-teach Human Trafficking seminar)
Member, Hennepin County Bar Association
Member, Hennepin County Bar Association Diversity
and Inclusion Committee
Member, Minnesota State Bar Association
Member, Warren E. Burger Inn of Court
Former Board Member, University of Minnesota Law School
Academic Engagement Committee, 2012-13
Former Member, American Bar Association, Standing Committee on
Legal Aid and Indigent Defendants, Advisory Group on
the Language Access Project, 2010-2011
Court Leadership Positions:
Member, Statewide Strategic Planning Committee
Member and Former Chair, Hennepin County District Court
Equal Justice Committee
Member, Statewide Committee on Equality and Justice
Member, Children’s Justice Initiative Advisory Committee
(Chair, Mental Health Subcommitee)
Tri-Chair, Youth Justice Council, 2020-2023
Presiding Judge, Juvenile Division, 2021-2023
Delegate, Minnesota District Judges Association, 2017-2022
Community Activities:
Member, Women’s Foundation of Minnesota, MN Girls Are Not For Sale Committee, 2013-2016
Board Member, 180 Degrees, Inc., 2013-2016
Board Member, Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project, 2005
Awards:
Presidential Rank Award, Senior Executive Service, Meritorious Executive, 2010
United States Department of Justice:
- Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Service, 2015
- Attorney General’s John Marshall Award, 2010
- Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service, 2003
- Director’s Award for Superior Performance, Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys, 2003
- Meritorious Award, Civil Rights Division, 2001 & 2002
- Special Achievement Award, Civil Rights Division, 1999 & 2000
Assignment History:
Criminal - July 2016 to June 2018
Juvenile Division – July 1, 2018 to February 2024
(Presiding Judge 2021-2023)
Criminal Division - February 2024 to present