ST. PAUL, Minn. (Legal Newsline) - A former assistant attorney general and state appeals court judge will become the newest justice on the Minnesota Supreme Court.
Gov. Mark Dayton made the announcement Tuesday, appointing Judge Natalie E. Hudson to the state’s high court.
Hudson will replace Justice Alan C. Page, who is retiring at the end of the month. He has served on the court since 1993.
“During her distinguished 13-year tenure on the Court of Appeals, Judge Hudson has authored more than 1,100 written opinions, demonstrating clearly her unique aptitude for ruling on some of the most challenging legal issues facing our state today,” Dayton said of his pick.
“I have great confidence that she will bring a valuable perspective to the court, and continue the high standards of excellence, hard work and fair-mindedness that Justice Page has embodied these last two decades.”
Hudson said she is looking forward to serving on the high court.
“I am honored and humbled that the governor has selected me to serve as the next associate justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court,” she said in a statement. “I am excited about the opportunity, and it is indeed a privilege to continue to serve the people of Minnesota in this capacity.”
Hudson has served as an at-large judge on the Minnesota Court of Appeals since her appointment by former Gov. Jesse Ventura in 2002.
Prior to that appointment, Hudson served as an assistant attorney general for the state in its Criminal Appeals and Health Licensing divisions.
Hudson earned her undergraduate degree from Arizona State University and her law degree from the University of Minnesota.
After completing law school, she worked as an attorney for Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services Inc. and Minneapolis law firm Robins Zelle Larson & Kaplan LLP. She spent three years as the assistant dean of Student Affairs at Hamline University School of Law, and was later appointed as the city attorney for the city of St. Paul.
From Legal Newsline: Reach Jessica Karmasek by email at jessica@legalnewsline.com.