[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz today announced the appointment of Nathan Sosinski, Stacy St George, and Kathryn Fodness as District Court Judges in Minnesota’s Tenth Judicial District. These seats will be chambered in Buffalo in Wright County, Elk River in Sherburne County, and Center City in Chisago County.

Nathan Sosinski will be replacing the Honorable Suzanne Bollman for the seat chambered in Wright County.

“It is my honor to appoint Nathan Sosinski to the Wright County bench,” said Governor Walz. “A longtime public defender and seasoned trial attorney, he is ready to hit the ground running. His experience advocating for clients from all walks of life gives him a deep understanding of the challenges individuals and families face in the justice system.”

Stacy St George will be replacing the Honorable Walter M. Kaminsky for the seat chambered in Sherburne County.

“Stacy St George is an excellent fit for Sherburne County,” said Governor Walz. “She brings deep expertise at the intersection of mental health and the justice system and helped spearhead the creation of an innovative Rule 20.01 Competency Court. I look forward to her bringing that thoughtful, problem-solving approach to the bench.”

Kathryn Fodness will be replacing the Honorable Douglas B. Meslow for the seat chambered in Chisago County.

“It is also my great pleasure to appoint Kathryn Fodness to the Chisago County bench,” said Governor Walz. “Her career is defined by leadership, high-stakes litigation, and service to state and local governments. She brings a clear, steady approach under pressure while never losing sight of the people she serves, and I am confident she will be an outstanding judge.”

Minnesota’s Tenth Judicial District encompasses Anoka, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Pine, Sherburne, Washington, and Wright counties.

About Nathan Sosinski:
Nathan Sosinski is the managing attorney at the Tenth Judicial District Public Defender’s Office in Washington County, where he represents clients in felony criminal cases. He was previously the managing attorney at the public defender’s office in Pine, Isanti, Chisago, and Kanabec counties and an assistant county attorney in Pine County. Sosinski’s community involvement includes serving as an instructor at the Minnesota Public Defender’s Office Trial School and as a member of the Washington County Community Corrections Advisory Board. He previously served as a member of the Criminal Sexual Conduct Statutory Reform Working Group, a board member for the Centennial Lakes Little League, a coach for middle school girls’ basketball and softball teams, and a judge for collegiate and high school mock trial. He earned his B.A. from the University of Northern Iowa and his J.D. from William Mitchell College of Law.

About Stacy St George:
Stacy St George is an assistant chief of the Criminal Division at the Dakota County Attorney’s Office, where she has worked extensively in criminal prosecution with a focus on violent crimes. Through her role, she assisted in the development of the first Rule 20.01 Competency Court in the First Judicial District, which prioritizes treatment and support for individuals living with mental illness in the criminal justice system. St George previously served as the assistant head of the Criminal Division in the Anoka County Attorney’s Office and as an assistant county attorney in Isanti County. Her community involvement includes serving on the policy committee of the Minnesota Children’s Alliance and as a board member for the Forest Lake Athletic Association. She earned her B.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and her J.D. from William Mitchell College of Law.

About Kathryn Fodness:
Kathryn Fodness is an assistant city attorney with the Minneapolis City Attorney’s Office, where her practice focuses on labor and employment law, including litigation and the creation and implementation of policies related to police reform. She previously served as general counsel for Minnesota Management and Budget, where she acted as the agency’s chief legal officer, the executive branch’s chief labor and employment law counsel, and the state ethics officer. Fodness also worked as an assistant attorney general at the Office of the Minnesota Attorney General and a judicial law clerk for the Honorable Regina M. Chu in Minnesota’s Fourth Judicial District. Her community involvement includes serving as a volunteer mock mediator in skills courses at the University of Minnesota Law School and as a mentor for law students interested in public practice. She earned her B.A. from the University of Minnesota and her J.D. from Hamline University School of Law.

For more information about the judicial selection process, please visit the Governor’s Judicial Appointments webpage.