[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan today announced that the Minnesota Tax Court has unanimously voted for Wendy S. Tien to assume responsibility as Chief Judge effective March 17, 2021. Judge Tien has served on the Tax Court since her appointment by Governor Walz on November 13, 2019. For the first time in Minnesota history, the chiefs of the Minnesota Supreme Court, the Minnesota Court of Appeals, and all three Executive Branch Courts are all women: Chief Justice Lorie Gildea, Minnesota Supreme Court; Chief Judge Susan Segal, Minnesota Court of Appeals; Chief Judge Jenny Starr, Minnesota Office of Administrative Hearings; Chief Judge Patricia Milun, Minnesota Workers’ Compensation Court of Appeals; and Chief Judge Wendy Tien, Minnesota Tax Court.

“I applaud the selection of Judge Tien as Chief Judge of the Minnesota Tax Court. As a remarkable jurist and leader with a strong dedication to public service, I have no doubt Judge Tien will make an excellent chief,” said Governor Walz. “I am also proud to celebrate a more representative democracy today. With women now presiding over Minnesota’s appellate and executive branch courts as chief judges, this is a historic moment for our state.”

“For the first time in our state’s history, these Minnesota courts are all led by all women at the same time,” said Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan. “ Representation on the bench matters, and a more diverse judicial branch equates to a more representative government for our communities. I am proud to see such distinguished women serving Minnesotans as chief judges.”

Chief Judge Wendy Tien, Chief Judge Jenny Starr, and Chief Judge Susan Segal are Walz-Flanagan appointees.

About Judge Wendy Tien

The Honorable Wendy Tien currently serves as a judge on the Minnesota Tax Court. She was appointed by Governor Walz in November 2019. Previously, Judge Tien served as a Minnesota Assistant Attorney General, Deputy Assistant Director in the Office of Oversight and Trial Attorney at the Department of Justice, partner at Shapiro Sher Guinot and Sandler, and an attorney with the Internal Revenue Service.

The Minnesota Tax Court is an executive branch court established by the Minnesota Legislature to hear and consider tax-related cases.