ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Supreme Court has a new chief justice-designate — Theodora Karin Gaïtas, who already sits on the court as an associate justice. In the announcing of his choice of Gaïtas, Governor Tim Walz noted that she will be the first chief justice in Minnesota history with a background as a public defender. Her perspective, Walz said, “will be invaluable as she takes on this profound responsibility to serve all Minnesotans.” Gaïtas holds a 1994 law degree from the University of Minesota. Out of law school, she was an associate defender in Bucks County in western Pennsylvania. Later she was a public defender in Minnesota’s Hennepin County. Her subsequent career:
> 2018: A Hennepin County district judge.
> 2020: A Minnesota Court of Appeals judge.
> 2024: A Minnesota Supreme Court justice.
Gaïtas is Minnesota-born but grew up in Athens and returned to Minnesota for college. Her father was a Greek immigrant and her mother an American citizen. As chief justice she succeeds Nagalie Hudson, who retires in January. Walz chose Gaïtas from a field of seven candidates recommended by a Bar Association commission. The field included three current justices: Gaitas, Anne McKeig and Paul Thissen
Gaïtas. Has served at all three levels of the state judicial branch. Her age: 55.
Aligada. Moving from Hennepin County judgeship to Supreme Court. His age : 50.
New to Supreme Court
To fill the vacancy created by the Gaïtas appointment as chief justice, Governor Walz named Ramsey County District Court Judge Reynaldo Aligada Jr. Walz called Aligada “someone who leaves a lasting impression on everyone he meets, pairing a keen legal mind with genuine humility and compassion.” Aligata was appointed to his Hennepin County judgeship by Walz in 2019 and was elected in 2020. He is a graduate of the Mitchell Hamline law school. He has experience as a federal public defender.
Supreme Court profile
The Minnesota Supreme Court could be called “the Walz Court.” Of the seven justices, five are Walz appointees. Note too: All seven are appointees of Democratic governors. After their initial appointment’s, they serve six-year terms, subject to statewide election. Candidates are not identified on ballots by any political affiliation but by whether they’re incumbents.