Appointed by Governor Mark Dayton to the Minnesota Court of Appeals on December 27, 2011. Elected in 2014. Current term expires Jan. 2021.
Education:J.D., cum laude, University of Michigan Law School, 1984
B.A., University of Minnesota, 1980
University of Zagreb (studied Croatian language), 1980-1981
Past Employment:Assistant Dean, Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota
Deputy Attorney General, Assistant Attorney General, Minnesota Attorney General’s Office
Assistant United States Attorney, District of Minnesota, Criminal Division
Attorney, Opperman Heins & Paquin
Attorney, Tanick & Heins
Law Clerk, Hon. Diana E. Murphy, United States District Court, District of Minnesota
Professional Memberships:Member, Hennepin County and Minnesota State Bar Associations
Member, Minnesota Women Lawyers
Member, Lavender Bar Association
Former Director, Advocates for Human Rights, 1990-1994
Member, International Women’s Forum
At Large Member, Judicial Selection Commission, 2011
Member, Federal Advisory Committee, United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, 2002 – 2006
Member, Civil Justice Reform Act Advisory Group, United States District Court, District of Minnesota, 1991 – 1994
Member, Federal Court Practice Committee, United States District Court, District of Minnesota, 1990 – 1993
Member, United States District Court, District of Minnesota History Committee, 1995 – 2008
Barrister, Douglas K. Amdahl American Inn of Court, 1992-1998
Member, Violence Prevention Task Force, 1994
Professional and Community Activities:Director, YWCA of Minneapolis, 2008 – 2014
Member, Twin Cities Dunkers, 2013 – present
Member, University of Minnesota “M” Club
Moot Court Competition Judge, University of Minnesota Law School, Hamline University School of Law
Mentor, University of St. Thomas Law School
Lifetime Member, University of Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletics Advisory Committee, 2003 – present
Member, Advisory Council for Women’s Athletics, University of Minnesota, 1990 – 1996
Volunteer, “Everybody Wins!” Reading program
Additional Information:2015 “Alumni of Notable Achievement,” University of Minnesota, College of Liberal Arts
Former Adjunct Appellate Professor, William Mitchell College of Law, 2005
Guest Lecturer, William Mitchell College of Law, University of St. Thomas Business School, Metropolitan State University
Panelist, Appellate Practice Institute, “An Insider’s View of Appellate Advocacy: EEOC v. Abercrombie & Fitch Stores, Inc.,” 2015.
Panelist, Minnesota Lavender Bar Association, “Out on the Bench: Perspectives from Minnesota’s LGBT Judges”
Panelist, Minnesota State Bar Association, Nine Days in June, “Recent Appellate Cases”
Panelist, Ramsey County Bar Association, “Recent Appellate Cases”
Panelist, Hennepin County Bar Association, “Discussion of the Sexual Harassment Case of Rasmussen v. Two Harbors Fish Company”
Panelist, Appellate Practice Institute, “First Impressions from the New(er) Justice and Judges”
Panelist, Minnesota Lavender Bar Association, “Reflections on the Judicial Appointment Process”
Panelist, Hennepin County Bar Association, “So You Want to Be a Judge?”
Panelist, Minnesota Women Lawyers, “You Can Be a Judge” Seminar
Moderator, Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota, “Why Marriage Matters: America, Equality and Gay People’s Right to Marry”
Panelist, Minnesota Women Lawyers, Leadership Project Seminar
Speaker, University of Minnesota, Partners in Change Summit, “Transforming Policy, Practice, and Administration: From ‘Champions’ to ‘Institutionalization’”
Presenter, Minnesota Department of Human Services, “Indian Child Welfare Act and the 2007 Tribal/State Agreement”
Presenter, Office of the Minnesota Attorney General, “Issues in Criminal Justice”
Presenter, Minnesota Institute of Legal Education, “Crime 1999”
Presenter, “Hate Crimes in Minnesota,” numerous presentations made to Minnesota State Bar Association, National Asian Pacific Bar Association – Minnesota Chapter, civic groups, police officers, and high schools throughout Minnesota
Presenter, “A Legal and Legislative Framework Protecting Minorities in Minnesota,” Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota
Speaker, Special Symposium on Gang Violence and How to Stop It, Metropolitan State University
Presenter, “What I Learned from My High School Coaches: What Are You Leaving as a Legacy from Your Coaching,” Women in Sports Leadership Conference
Panelist, “Weaving a Common Thread in Human Rights,” Minnesota Department of Human Rights 15th Annual Human Rights Day Conference
Presenter, “Civil Rights/Hate Crime: A Federal Perspective”
Presenter, “Juvenile Justice Task Force”
Presenter, “Practicing in Federal District Court in Minnesota”
