ST PAUL, Minn. — Editor's note: The video above first aired on Feb. 23, 2024.
Two experienced jurists have been appointed to fill spots on Minnesota's highest court.
Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan announced Monday that Theodora Gaïtas and Sarah Hennesy have been chosen to replace outgoing Minnesota Supreme Court judges Margaret Chutich and G. Barry Anderson.
Gaïtas is currently a judge on the Minnesota Court of Appeals. She previously served as a judge in Minnesota's Fourth Judicial District in Minneapolis, handling a felony caseload in the criminal division and serving as co-chair of the Domestic Violence Steering Committee. Judge Gaïtas has also contributed by helping bridge the gap between state and tribal courts.
“Judge Gaïtas will be an extraordinary justice who will bring a wealth of life and legal experience to our state’s highest court,” said Lieutenant Governor Flanagan. “As a longtime appellate public defender, she will never lose sight of the people behind every decision of the justice system.”
Hennesy is currently Chief Judge of the Seventh Judicial District headquartered in St. Cloud. Her past experience includes serving as a public defender both in appellate and trial courts in Iowa, along with being a staff attorney at Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid in St. Cloud.
“It is my privilege to appoint Chief Judge Sarah Hennesy,” said Governor Walz. “Not only is she a brilliant legal mind with extensive judicial experience, but she is a leader who knows how to move the needle towards justice.”
“As Chief Justice, I am pleased to welcome both Chief Judge Sarah Hennesy and Judge Theodora Gaïtas to the Minnesota Supreme Court,” added Chief Justice Natalie Hudson of the Minnesota Supreme Court. “Both are experienced, well-respected jurists who bring exceptional intellectual gifts and a deep commitment to serving the people of Minnesota. This is a great day for Minnesota.”
Justice Anderson recently announced his retirement, saying he will step down from his position on the Minnesota Supreme Court on May 10. He is the last remaining member of the Minnesota Supreme Court to be appointed by a Republican governor.
Chutich is also retiring, ending her run on the court July 31 following an eight-year stint.
The appointments of Gaïtas and Hennesy will give Minnesota's highest court its first female majority in three decades. When they take their seats in the coming months, all seven justices will have been appointed by Democratic governors.
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