Judge Karen A. Janisch

Hennepin County Courthouse
Fourth Judicial District
(612) 348-2040

Email
Chambers Phone: (612) 543-1320
Reporter: (612) 596-2870 – for transcript requests only
Law Clerk: (612) 348-0705
Judicial Clerk: (612) 543-1321

Fourth Judicial District Judicial Officers

Judge Karen A. Janisch

Appointed/Elected:

Appointed by Governor Tim Pawlenty on Mar. 16, 2009. Elected in 2010, 2016, and 2022. Current term expires December 31, 2028.

Education:

J.D., magna cum laude, University of Minnesota Law School, 1992

B.A. in government, cum laude, College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, 1987

Employment:

General counsel to the Governor, 2003-2009

Partner (1999-2003) and associate attorney (1993-1998); Rider Bennett, Egan and Arundel law firm in Minneapolis

Judicial law clerk to Idaho State Supreme Court Justice Byron J. Johnson, 1992-1993

Professional Memberships:

Former member, Minnesota State Bar Association

Former member, Hennepin County Bar Association

Former member, National Governor’s Association Legal Counsel

Former member, National Association of Extradition Officials

Former member, Minnesota Supreme Court Committee on Rules for the Board on Judicial Standards

Professional and Community Activities:

Minnesota Department of Health Pandemic Ethics Project

Rider Bennett United Way Fund Campaign Drive

Assignment History

Criminal, 2/2009-12/2010
Family, 1/2011-12/2013
Civil / Criminal, 12/30/13-Present

Civil Practice Pointers & Preferences