A Panel Discussion with Experiences, Tips, and Ideas for LGBTQ+ and Other Underrepresented People Who are Interested in Applying to be a Minnesota State Court Judge
With Judge Theodora Gaitas (she/her), Minnesota Court of Appeals, Judge Colette Routel (she/her), Hennepin County District Court, Adam Miller (he/him), Deputy General Counsel and Director of Judicial Appointments, and Panel Chair: Judge Christian Sande (he/him), Hennepin County District Court
Minnesota has made great strides in the past decade to increase diversity in judges on its district and appellate courts. Leaders in the courts, executive, and legislative branches endeavor to increase diversity in the courts, both in judicial appointments and in administrative staff. The judicial application process is rigorous and often fast-paced because of the need to fulfill vacancies quickly. This breakout session will provide a brief background of how the judicial selection process works in Minnesota, and then move into a larger panel discussion of diversity in Minnesota’s judicial branch.
A historical bar to increasing diversity has been nepotism, or people knowing who to talk to and how the game is played. Part of this breakout session will address how to become involved in community organizations, educational institutions, and to gain professional experience that makes one qualified to be a judge. In particular, this breakout session will focus on how diversity is an asset, and how individual experiences as a member of the LGBTQ+ or another underrepresented community can make one an excellent judge. At the same time, the breakout session will discuss unique experiences that the panelists have encountered as a judge from a diverse background and how the panelists have confronted those experiences. The panel will discuss how to maximize one’s personal experiences, professional work, and community involvement to assist the legal profession in understanding the value of diversity and expanding opportunities for people who want to work in the courts.
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Judge Theodora Gaїtas
Judge Theodora (Teddie) Gaїtas (she/her) is a Judge on the Minnesota Court of Appeals. She was appointed to that position by Governor Tim Walz in August 2020. Prior to that, she was a District Court Judge in the Fourth Judicial District (Hennepin County), appointed to that position by Governor Dayton in September 2018. Before becoming a judge, she was an attorney in private practice and a public defender. She is a graduate of the University of Minnesota college and law school.
Judge Colette Routel
Judge Colette Routel (she/her) is a District Court Judge in the Fourth Judicial District (Hennepin County); she was appointed to that position by Governor Walz in September 2021. Prior to her appointment, she was a Professor of Law and Co-Director of the Native American Law and Sovereignty Institute at Mitchell Hamline School of Law, and was in private practice. She is a graduate of Ithaca College and the University of Michigan Law School.
Adam Miller
Adam Miller (he/him) is Deputy General Counsel and Director of Judicial Appointments in the Office of Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan. Prior to his current position he was an Assistant Hennepin County Attorney and Director of the Justice for Families and Family Court Enhancement Project in Hennepin County Family Court. He is a graduate of the University of St. Thomas undergraduate college and law school.
Judge Christian Sande
Judge Christian Sande (he/him) is a District Court Judge in the Fourth Judicial District (Hennepin County) and a member of the Board of Directors of the Minnesota Lavender Bar Association. He was appointed to be a judge by Governor Dayton in July 2016. Prior to his appointment, he was an attorney in private practice. He is a graduate of Hamline University and William Mitchell College of Law.
