Natalie Hudson is set to make history as the first Black person to become chief justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court.
On Wednesday (August 23), Gov. Tim Walz promoted Hudson, who’s served as an associate justice since 2015, ahead of the October retirement of current Chief Justice Lorie Gildea, per AP.
“Justice Hudson is one of our state’s most experienced jurists. She has a strong reputation as a leader and consensus builder,” Walz said in a statement. “I am confident that she will advance a vision that promotes fairness and upholds the dignity of all Minnesotans.”
Before serving as an associate justice, Hudson was a judge on the Minnesota Court of Appeals for 13 years. Hudson, a University of Minnesota Law School graduate, also previously served on the Minnesota Supreme Court Racial Bias Task Force and worked as a St. Paul city attorney.
“This is a tremendous responsibility that I approach with humility and resolve, seeking to continue the work of my predecessors in administering one of the best state court systems in the nation, and always seeking to deliver the most accessible, highest-quality court services for the citizens of Minnesota,” Hudson said in a statement.
Karl Procaccini, Walz’s former general counsel, is set to fill Hudson’s spot as associate justice.
Gildea called Hudson’s pick an “outstanding choice.”
“I have been impressed by her deep knowledge of the law, her collegial spirit, and her unparalleled work ethic,” Gildea said in a statement. “With more than 20 years of service as an appellate court judge, Justice Hudson is among the most talented and respected jurists in the state.”
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