Appointed/Elected:
Appointed July 1, 2016, by Governor Mark Dayton. Elected in 2018. Current term expires Jan. 2025.
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:
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:
Co-Chair, Hennepin County District Court Domestic Violence Steering Committee
Chair, Hennepin County District Court Equal Justice Committee
Member, Statewide Committee on Equality and Justice
Delegate, Minnesota District Judges Association
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 1, 2016, to June 30, 2018
Juvenile Court – July 1, 2018 to present (currently serves as presiding judge)