Senior Judge Lezlie Ott Marek
Senior Judge Lezlie Ott Marek

Appointed/Elected:

  • Appointed by Governor Tim Pawlenty on Dec. 30, 2010. 
  • Elected in 2012 and 2018.
  • Retired on Aug. 2, 2021.
  • Appointed and assigned to serve statewide as Senior Judge from Aug. 30, 2021, to June 30, 2025.

Education:

  • J.D., University of Notre Dame Law School, Notre Dame, Indiana, 1983
  • B.A. in Economics, College of St. Catherine, Saint Paul, Minnesota, 1980, Phi Beta Kappa

Judicial Assignments:

  • District Court Judge, Second Judicial District, Saint Paul, Minnesota (2010 - Aug. 2, 2021)
    • Civil Division; May 2020 - Aug. 2, 2021; Statewide Asbestos Litigation Trial Judge
    • Juvenile/Family Division: Nov. 2016 - May 2020; Lead Judge, Children's Justice Initiative
    • Civil Division: July 2013 - Nov. 2016; Statewide Asbestos Litigation Pretrial/Settlement Judge
    • Criminal Division: Jan. 2011 - July 2013; Misdemeanors, DWI Court, and felonies

Prior Employment:

  • Hanson Marek Bolkcom Group, Ltd.; Minneapolis, Minnesota (1996-2010); Shareholder
  • University of Minnesota Law School; Minneapolis, Minnesota (1998-1999); Legal Writing Instructor
  • Bowman and Brooke, LLP; Minneapolis, Minnesota (1986-1996); Partner
  • Calkins, Kramer, Grimshaw and Harring; Denver, Colorado (1982-1986); Associate

Past Professional:

  • Admitted to practice in Minnesota, Colorado, and Iowa state courts; Admitted to practice in United States District Court for the districts of Minnesota, Colorado, Southern Indiana, and Western Tennessee; Admitted to practice in the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
  • AV Peer Review rated for more than 10 years by Martindale Hubbell for legal ability and professional ethics
  • Qualified Neutral (Mediator and Arbitrator) under Rule 114 of the Minnesota Rules of Practice for the District Courts

Professional Memberships:

  • Minnesota State and Ramsey County Bar associations, Minnesota Women Lawyers, Minnesota District Judges Association and Minnesota District Judges Foundation

Community and Volunteer Activities:

  • President, Minnesota District Judges Foundation
  • Judicial Trial Skills Faculty Member
  • Supervising Judge, William Mitchell College of Law, Judicial Externship Program
  • Mentor, University of St. Thomas Law School
  • Ramsey County Bar Association Board member, 2014 - 2017
  • Project Remand, Board member and Executive Officer, 2012 - 2017
  • Ramsey County Corrections Advisory Board, 2012 - 2014
  • College of St. Catherine Alumnae Association, Board member and executive officer, 2005-2009
  • Volunteer, Loaves and Fishes food program