Chief Judge Sarah E. Hennesy

Appointed/Elected:

Appointed on Mar. 12, 2012, by Governor Mark Dayton. Elected in 2014 and 2020. Current term expires Jan. 2027.

Education:

J.D., Drake Law School, Des Moines, IA, 1994

B.A., Central College, Pella, IA, 1991

Employment:

St. Cloud Area Legal Services, Staff Attorney, St. Cloud, MN, 2006-2012

Damiani & Damiani, P.C., Associate Attorney, Alexandria, VA, 2003-2005

Alexandria Public Defender’s Office, Alexandria, VA, 1999-2003

  • Deputy Public Defender, 2002-2003
  • Asst. Public Defender, 1999-2002

Kohn & Einstein, Associate Attorney, Washington, D.C., 1998-1999

State Appellate Defender’s Office, Assistant Appellate Defender, Des Moines, IA, 1994-1996

Professional Memberships:

Minnesota District Judges Association

Former co-chair, Stearns County’s Family Violence Council 

Stearns/Benton County Bar Association

Professional and Community Activities:

Oak Hill Elementary School Parent Teacher Student Association

Election Protection volunteer

Volunteer teacher - English as a second language

Judged/coached mock trial and moot court teams at middle school, high school, college, and law school levels.

Additional Information:

Admitted to practice law in Minnesota, Virginia, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Washington, D.C., United States District Court for the District of Columbia, and Iowa.

2011 Dawn Carlson Family Advocate Award Recipient