Minnesota Judicial Branch

This morning, we were excited to welcome students from Sauk Rapids-Rice High School to the Minnesota Supreme Court! The students observed Supreme Court oral arguments in the Capitol Courtroom and visited with Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Natalie Hudson & Associate Justice Sarah Hennesy. ⚖ The students also got a tour of the Capitol (courtesy of our friends at the Minnesota Historical Society) — and even banged the gavel on the House Speaker’s rostrum!

2024 is coming to a close, and we at the Minnesota Judicial Branch want to thank all of the Minnesotans who help make the Minnesota courts accessible, fair, consistent, responsive, and independent. ⚖ Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Natalie Hudson shares her words of gratitude, reflects on this year's court achievements, and outlines the hard work the Minnesota Judicial Branch has planned for 2025 in this video.

The Minnesota Supreme Court is seeking applicants for appointment to the Legislative Salary Council. The council, which will convene in January 2025, is responsible for prescribing salaries for Minnesota legislators. Based on the party balance required by the statute and the current membership of the council, applications are being sought from residents in the 4th and 8th Congressional Districts. Appointments to the council will be made in January 2025. To read the full posting, please visit https://lnkd.in/gm5cv7-g. If you're interested in being appointed to the council, please send a letter of interest and a curriculum vitae to Christa Rutherford-Block, Clerk of the Appellate Courts, via email at mjcappellateclerkofcourt@courts.state.mn.us or via U.S. mail at 305 Minnesota Judicial Center, 25 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155. Email applications are preferred. The letter of interest must clearly identify your primary address, congressional district of residence, and political party affiliation. Additionally, the letter of interest must include sufficient information to demonstrate you satisfy all of the membership criteria and can fulfill the time commitment required for the council to meet the deadlines. Applications must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. on December 31, 2024. 

The Chief Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court is seeking applications for appointment to the Compensation Council. The Council, which will convene in January 2025, is responsible for prescribing salaries for Minnesota's constitutional officers, justices of the Supreme Court, judges of the Court of Appeals and the district courts, and the heads of certain state and metropolitan agencies. Members appointed to the Council must be available for meetings that begin in January 2025, with reporting deadlines by April 1, 2025. To view the full description, please visit https://lnkd.in/guBbUGFZ Those interested in being appointed to the council should send a letter of interest and a curriculum vitae to Christa Rutherford-Block, Clerk of the Appellate Courts, 305 Minnesota Judicial Center, 25 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155 or via email to mjcappellateclerkofcourt@courts.state.mn.us Email applications are preferred. The letter of interest must include sufficient information to demonstrate that the applicant satisfies the membership criteria listed in section 15A.082, subdivision 2, and can fulfill the time commitment required for the council to meet the deadlines established by section 15A.082. Applications must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 31, 2024. 

The Minnesota Supreme Court is seeking attorneys to fill vacancies on the Advisory Committee on the Special Rules of Procedure Governing Proceedings Under the Minnesota Commitment and Treatment Act.  New members will be appointed to three-year terms and will be eligible for re-appointment to a second three-year term. Application materials should be sent to Christa Rutherford-Block, Clerk of the Appellate Courts, via email at mjcappellateclerkofcourt@courts.state.mn.us or via U.S. mail at 305 Judicial Center, 25 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, St. Paul, MN, 55155. Email applications are preferred. Applications must be received by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, January 10, 2025. Questions regarding committee membership should be directed to the staff attorney for the committee, Monica Miller, at monica.miller@courts.state.mn.us.

We're excited to welcome Mariam Mokri and Jennifer Olson as District Court Judges in Minnesota's Fourth Judicial District! ⚖ Mariam Mokri will replace the Honorable Peter A. Cahill. “It is my pleasure to appoint Mariam Mokri to the Fourth Judicial District,” said Governor Tim Walz. “She is an experienced judicial officer who understands that faith in our justice system comes from ensuring that people, no matter their background, are heard and respected when they come to court.” Jennifer Olson will replace the Honorable Susan M. Robiner. “Jennifer Olson is going to be a remarkable addition to an already talented bench,” said Governor Walz. “She has the unique ability to distill highly complex legal theories into clear and understandable arguments. The people of Hennepin County will be well served by her strong legal acumen and deep commitment to equal justice under the law.”

Yesterday, we had the privilege of hosting students from Alexandria High School at the Minnesota Judicial Center! 🏛 The students watched Supreme Court Oral Arguments, learned about the Minnesota Court of Appeals from Court of Appeals Judge Diane Bratvold, heard from Supreme Court Justice Sarah Hennesy, and visited the Minnesota State Law Library. Interested in doing a similar visit with your school? Email us at courtinfo@courts.state.mn.us or DM us for more info!

The Minnesota Association for Court Management just announced the recipients of its 2024 awards, and we’re excited to congratulate Deb Mueske, Gail Clapp, Lori O’Brien, Max Mosser, and Tracey Ames! ⚖ Deb Mueske, District Administrator in the 7th and 8th Judicial Districts, was awarded the Champion of Change Award. Gail Clapp, Business Practices Unit Manager in the 4th Judicial District, was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award. Lori O’Brien, Anoka County Court Administrator (retired) in the 10th Judicial District, was awarded the Distinguished Service Award. Max Mosser, Accounting Manager in the 2nd Judicial District, was awarded Coach/Mentor of the Year. Tracey Ames, Administrative Manager in the 2nd Judicial District, was awarded the Early Career Excellence Award. Congratulations again to these talented individuals!

Congratulations to 2nd Judicial District Administrator Heather Kendall and Senior Judge Kathryn Messerich for receiving the Chief Justice Award! ⚖ The Chief Justice Award is a high honor that is rarely granted. In this case, Kendall and Messerich received it for their role as co-chairs of the oneCourtMN Hearing Initiative Steering Committee. Their work on this steering committee was a heavy lift, but it resulted in a permanent approach to remote court hearings at the Minnesota Judicial Branch—one that is a nationwide model.

Congratulations to Judge Korey Wahwassuck and Minnesota Judicial Branch Attorney Judy Nord for receiving the Hon. Robert Blaeser Indian Child Welfare Excellence Award! ⚖ This award is presented annually by the Children's Justice Initiative (CJI) to individuals who improve the wellbeing of American Indian children and families who experience the child welfare system and make a significant contribution toward achieving full compliance with the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) and the Minnesota Indian Family Preservation Act (MIFPA). Pictured from left to right: Judy Nord, the Honorable Robert Blaeser, Judge Korey Wahwassuck, and Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Anne McKeig.