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List of first women lawyers and judges in Minnesota

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This is a list of the first women lawyer(s) and judge(s) in Minnesota. It includes the year in which the women were admitted to practice law (in parentheses). Also included are women who achieved other distinctions such becoming the first in their state to graduate from law school or become a political figure.

Firsts in state history

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Wilhelmina Wright: First African American female Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court (2012)
Margaret Chutich: First openly lesbian Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court (2016)

Law School

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  • Maureen Onyelobi:[1] First (African American) female to take a law school test while incarcerated in Minnesota (2021)

Lawyers

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  • Martha Angle Dorsett (1878):[2] First female lawyer in Minnesota. Admitted to the Hennepin County bar.
  • Mary L. McGindley (1891):[3] First woman admitted to the Minnesota bar.
  • Lena O. Smith (1921):[4] First African American female lawyer in Minnesota
  • Margaret Treuer (1977):[5][6][7][8][9][10] First Native American (Ojibwe) (female) lawyer in Minnesota. She would later become a tribal judge.
  • Lenor Scheffler (1988):[11] First Mdewakanton (female) lawyer in Minnesota
  • Kao Ly Ilean Her and Pacyinz Lyfoung (1994):[12] First Hmong American female lawyers in Minnesota[13]
  • Lola Velazquez-Aguilu:[14] First Latino American female to serve as the Chair of the Minnesota Commission on Judicial Selection
  • Amran Farah (2013):[15][16] Reputed to be the first Somali American (female) to make partner at a major Minnesota law firm (2020)

State judges

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  • Eleanor Nolan:[17] First female to briefly serve as a municipal court judge in Minnesota (1940)
  • Betty Whitlock Washburn:[18] First female judge in Minnesota (1950)[19]
  • Ruth Brown, LeSueur County Court[19]
  • Gail Murray, St. Louis County Court[19]
  • Susanne C. Sedgwick:[20] First female to serve on a Minnesota trial court, Hennepin County District Court (1974) second woman to serve as a municipal judge (1970) defeating an incumbent, and one of the first women to serve on the newly-created Minnesota Court of Appeals (1983)
  • Rosalie E. Wahl:[21] First female to serve on the Minnesota Supreme Court (1977)
  • Harriet Lansing, Ramsey County Municipal Court (1978), one of first two women on the newly-created Minnesota Court of Appeals (1983)
  • Pamela Alexander:[22][23] First African American female judge in Minnesota (1983)
  • Isabel Gomez:[24] First Hispanic American female judge in Minnesota (1984)
  • Joanne M. Smith was the first woman elected chief judge of a district court in Minnesota (1989). Governor Perpich appointed Joanne Smith as a second judicial district judge on November 10, 1983.
  • Linda S. Titus (1978):[25] First female to serve on the Fifth Judicial District in Minnesota (1990)
  • Leslie Metzen (1979):[26][27][28] First female to serve on the First Judicial District in Minnesota
  • Natalie Hudson:[29][30] First African American female to serve on the Minnesota Court of Appeals (2002)
  • Regina Chu:[29] First Asian American female judge in Minnesota (2002)
  • Susan N. Burke:[31] First Japanese American (female) judge in Minnesota (2004)
  • Wilhelmina Wright (1998):[32] First African American female to serve on the Minnesota Supreme Court (2012)
  • Margaret Chutich (1984):[33] First openly LGBT female to serve on the Minnesota Supreme Court (2016)
  • Anne McKeig (1992):[34][35] First Native American (Ojibwe) [female] to serve on the Minnesota Supreme Court (2016)
  • Sophia Vuelo (1999):[36] First Hmong American female judge in Minnesota (2017)
  • Sarah Wheelock:[37][38] First Native American (Meskwaki Nation female) to serve on the Minnesota Court of Appeals (2021)
  • Natalie Hudson:[29][30] First African American (female) to serve as the Chief Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court (2023)
  • Viet-Hanh Winchell:[39] First Vietnamese American (female) judge in Minnesota (2024)

Federal judges

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Attorney General

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Assistant Attorney General

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  • Nilushi Ranaweera:[44] First Sri Lankan American female to serve as an Assistant Attorney General of Minnesota (2019)

Deputy Attorney General

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  • Luz María Frías:[14] First Latino American female to serve as the Deputy Attorney General of Minnesota

Solicitor General

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  • Cathy Haukedahl (1979):[45][46] First female Solicitor General of Minnesota

United States Attorney

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  • Rachel Paulose (1997):[47] First Indian American female to serve as the U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota (2006)

County Attorney

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  • Mary P. Walbran (1937):[48][49][50] First female to serve as a County Attorney in Minnesota (1943)
  • Helen Hill Bianz and Susan Grimsley:[51] First females elected as County Attorneys in Minnesota (1977-1978)

Assistant County Attorney

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  • Phyllis Jean Jones:[51] First female to serve as an Assistant County Attorney in Minnesota

Bar Association

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  • Helen Kelly:[29][52][53] First female to serve as the President of the Minnesota State Bar Association (1987-1988)
  • Sonia Miller-Van Oort:[54] First Hispanic American female (and Hispanic American in general) to serve as the President of the Minnesota State Bar Association (2017)
  • Luz Maria Frias:[55] First female to serve as the President of the Minnesota Hispanic Bar Association
  • Adine Momoh: [56][57] First minority female to serve as the President of the Hennepin County Bar Association, Minnesota (2018)

Firsts in local history

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See also

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Other topics of interest

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References

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  1. ^ "Minnesota Inmate Becomes First Woman To Take Law School Test In Prison". 2021-08-16. Retrieved 2022-03-10.
  2. ^ The Hennepin Lawyer. Hennepin County Bar Association. 1991.
  3. ^ The Law Student's Helper. Collector Publishing Company. 1893.
  4. ^ "Lena O. Smith, a first in Minnesota | African American Registry". www.aaregistry.org. Retrieved 2016-10-07.
  5. ^ a b Treuer, Anton (2010). Ojibwe in Minnesota. Minnesota Historical Society. ISBN 9780873517683.
  6. ^ a b "N.D. judges participate in 'Color of Justice' anniversary event". www.ndcourts.gov. Retrieved 2018-02-05.
  7. ^ a b "'Heartbeat Of Wounded Knee' Demystifies The Modern Native Experience". NPR.org. Retrieved 2020-06-13.
  8. ^ a b "Margaret Seelye Treuer, Minnesota's first Ojibwe judge, dies at 76". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2020-06-13.
  9. ^ a b "APPENDIX A: GENERAL RULES OF PRACTICE FOR THE DISTRICT COURTS" (PDF). Minnesota Courts. November 30, 2016.
  10. ^ Harrell, Jeff. "Viewpoint: Misunderstanding the American Indian". South Bend Tribune. Retrieved 2022-10-26.
  11. ^ "Lenor Scheffler '88 – Native American Law and Sovereignty Institute". mitchellhamline.edu. Retrieved 2024-07-11.
  12. ^ "Hmong Women in Minnesota Timeline". Minnesota Historical Society. Retrieved 2016-10-12.
  13. ^ Her was the first Hmong woman to pass the Minnesota State Bar exam, whereas Lyfoung is considered the first Hmong woman to start practicing law.
  14. ^ a b c "MHBA Orgullo: Speaking with Luz María Frías". Minnesota Hispanic Bar Association. Retrieved 2022-03-06.
  15. ^ "'Trailblazing' Somali American lawyer makes partner at Minnesota law firm—and makes opportunities for everyone". Sahan Journal. 2021-02-18. Retrieved 2022-03-23.
  16. ^ Morioka, Lynne MK (2021). "2021 40 Under 40: Amran Farah grows Greene Espel's DEI practice". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2022-03-23.
  17. ^ "Minnesota's female lawyers, judges celebrate milestones". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2019-03-03.
  18. ^ a b Sturdevant, Lori (2014). Her Honor: Rosalie Wahl and the Minnesota Women's Movement. Minnesota Historical Society Press. ISBN 9780873519342.
  19. ^ a b c "Judge Posten Promoted; Woman Named Successor". Minneapolis Star. April 15, 1976. p. 43.
  20. ^ "Susanne C. Sedgwick, Judge, 1983-1988". Minnesota State Law Library. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
  21. ^ "Minnesota Historical Society Biographical Sketch of Justice Rosalie Wahl". www2.mnhs.org. Retrieved 2019-01-12.
  22. ^ a b Camm, Barbara Leslie; (Firm), Leadership for Black Women; Program, Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs Citizen Education; Minneapolis, Junior League of (1988). Courage to lead: major challenges facing Black women today : conference report. GrayHall.
  23. ^ a b Taylor, David Vassar (2002). African Americans in Minnesota. Minnesota Historical Society Press. ISBN 9780873514200.
  24. ^ Bjorhus, Jennifer (26 March 2021). "Irene Gomez-Bethke, Former state Human Rights commissioner: Chicana activist led fight for immigrant and human rights". Star Tribune. p. B.4. ProQuest 2505505142.
  25. ^ Trester, Erin (April 8, 2014). "First female judge in the district retiring". The Globe. Retrieved 2018-01-06.
  26. ^ a b "Minnesota Judicial Branch - Bio". www.mncourts.gov. Retrieved 2018-02-09.
  27. ^ a b "Leading fight against abuse in the home". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2018-02-09.
  28. ^ a b "Judge Leslie Metzen leaving 1st Judicial District bench to join Community Action Council". Twin Cities. 2009-02-27. Retrieved 2019-01-02.
  29. ^ a b c d e f Sheran, Robert J. (Winter 2003). "MINNESOTA JUDICIAL SYSTEM: TWENTY-FIVE YEARS OF RADICAL CHANGE MINNESOTA JUDICIAL SYSTEM: TWENTY-FIVE YEARS OF RADICAL CHANGE". Hamline L. Rev. 26: 219.
  30. ^ a b "Minnesota names first Black chief justice of state Supreme Court, Natalie Hudson". NBC News. 2023-08-23. Retrieved 2023-08-23.
  31. ^ "Minnesota Judicial Branch - Biography of Susan N. Burke". www.mncourts.gov. Retrieved 2020-03-13.
  32. ^ "Dayton's appointments increase diversity among Minnesota judges". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2018-01-12.
  33. ^ Bakst, Brian. "Dayton MN Supreme Court pick is court's first openly gay justice". Retrieved 2018-08-24.
  34. ^ "Anne K. McKeig sworn in as Minnesota Supreme Court justice". article.wn.com. Retrieved 2018-01-23.
  35. ^ "Anne McKeig sworn in as Minnesota's first Native American Associate Supreme Court Justice". Twin Cities. 2016-09-16. Retrieved 2018-01-23.
  36. ^ "St. Paul lawyer sworn in as Minnesota's first Hmong-American judge". Twin Cities. 2018-01-05. Retrieved 2018-05-30.
  37. ^ "Alumni News and Moves – Fall 2021 | Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP". www.faegredrinker.com. Retrieved 2022-03-05.
  38. ^ "Sarah Wheelock appointed to Minnesota Court of Appeals". www.hastingsstargazette.com. 12 November 2021. Retrieved 2022-03-05.
  39. ^ Tamanaha, Akemi (2024-05-13). "Minnesota to swear in first Vietnamese American state court judge". AsAmNews. Retrieved 2024-11-27.
  40. ^ "History of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Minnesota | District of Minnesota | United States Bankruptcy Court". www.mnb.uscourts.gov. Retrieved 2019-01-12.
  41. ^ "Klobuchar, Emmer Announce Passage of Bill to Rename Federal Courthouse in Honor of Judge Diana Murphy". Congressman Tom Emmer. 2018-10-10. Retrieved 2019-01-12.
  42. ^ Upon Murphy's appointment as an Eight U.S. Court of Appeals in Minnesota
  43. ^ "Lori Swanson | The Office of Attorney General Lori Swanson". www.ag.state.mn.us. Retrieved 2018-11-19.
  44. ^ ""Being a mother is not an obstacle in the way of achieving your dreams" Nilushi Ranaweera, Sri Lanka's first female Assistant Attorney General in Minnesota, USA - News Features | Daily Mirror". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
  45. ^ Jones, Barbara L. (8 February 2018). "Attorneys of the Year: Cathy Haukedahl – Minnesota Lawyer". Retrieved 2018-12-14.
  46. ^ "Cathy Haukedahl". digitaleditions.walsworthprintgroup.com. Retrieved 2018-12-14.
  47. ^ "Rachel K. Paulose | People | DLA Piper Global Law Firm". DLA Piper. Retrieved 2018-01-26.
  48. ^ "TODD HALE: Mary Walbran…a landmark of an attorney". Southernminn.com. 25 November 2012. Retrieved 2020-02-27.
  49. ^ a b "Stepanek Foundation grants thousands to OHS students". Southernminn.com. Retrieved 2017-10-15.
  50. ^ Women lawyers' journal. 1943.
  51. ^ a b c d e Jeronimus, William. "Evolution of the Minnesota County Attorney's Association (MCAA)". yumpu.com. Retrieved 2020-02-27.
  52. ^ a b The Judicial Career of James C. Otis. The Library. 1987.
  53. ^ a b "Presidents of the MSBA". www.mnbar.org. Retrieved 2019-01-02.
  54. ^ "Sonia Miller-Van Oort |". 19 February 2011. Retrieved 2019-01-04.
  55. ^ "Luz Maria Frias". Diversity & Inclusion.
  56. ^ Anthony, Neal St (2018-06-09). "Adine Momoh takes over Hennepin County Bar presidency". www.startribune.com. Retrieved 2024-10-05.
  57. ^ "Trailblazing HCBA president champions attorneys of color, new lawyers". Issuu. Retrieved 2024-10-05.
  58. ^ "Gail Murray". Hibbing Daily Tribune. Retrieved 2018-12-07.
  59. ^ Upon her appointment to a County Court
  60. ^ "History | University of Minnesota Law School". law.umn.edu. Retrieved 2022-03-10.
  61. ^ Zhao, Xiaojian; Ph.D, Edward J. W. Park (2013-11-26). Asian Americans: An Encyclopedia of Social, Cultural, Economic, and Political History [3 volumes]: An Encyclopedia of Social, Cultural, Economic, and Political History. ABC-CLIO. ISBN 978-1-59884-240-1.
  62. ^ Smith, John Clay (2000). Rebels in Law: Voices in History of Black Women Lawyers. University of Michigan Press. ISBN 978-0-472-08646-7.
  63. ^ a b c d "Women in Law". stearns-museum.org. Retrieved 2018-01-04.
  64. ^ "New judge named for Carlton County". Moose Lake Star Gazette. Retrieved 2019-07-09.
  65. ^ Stuhler, Barbara; Kreuter, Gretchen V. (1998). Women of Minnesota: Selected Biographical Essays. Minnesota Historical Society Press. ISBN 978-0-87351-367-8.
  66. ^ "Klobuchar's prosecutor past, once an asset, puts her on the defensive". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2020-02-27.
  67. ^ Chanen, David. "Mary Moriarty is Hennepin County's first female chief public defender". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2022-02-03.
  68. ^ "Adine Momoh takes over Hennepin County Bar presidency". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2019-01-07.
  69. ^ "Number of female chief judges for district courts in Minnesota reaches historic levels". St. Cloud Times. July 5, 2017.
  70. ^ Kimball, Joe (23 October 2000). "Inspired by pioneers, new judge to become one Mimi Wright, to become Ramsey County's first black, female judge, credits her role models". Star Tribune. p. 01B. ProQuest 427322871.
  71. ^ "Minnesota Judicial Branch - Bio". www.mncourts.gov. Retrieved 2018-02-15.
  72. ^ "Gail Chang Bohr". Pollen. Retrieved 2022-01-27.
  73. ^ Beck, Richard (2015-08-04). We Believe the Children: A Moral Panic in the 1980s. PublicAffairs. ISBN 978-1-61039-287-7.
  74. ^ "New Washington County judge makes history". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2018-11-09.
  75. ^ "Twin Sisters in Public Service". Minnesota Women's Press. Retrieved 2020-02-27.
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