DULUTH Elise Larson, an environmental lawyer from Brainerd will be the next Northeastern Minnesota representative to the Minnesota Court of Appeals.
Gov. Tim Walz appointed Larson on Thursday to replace Judge James Florey. Florey was a Virginia-based long-term jurist who retired April 1 from the error-correcting Court.
Larson, 36 years old, is currently the water director and senior attorney at Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy. This organization has filed legal challenges for several high-profile Northland project, including the PolyMet copper/nickel mine near Hoyt lakes and the Nemadji Trail Energy Center located in Superior.
She is also an adjunct professor in the University of Minnesota Law School.
Walz stated that Elise Larson is a great choice for the Minnesota Court of Appeals. She is a remarkable lawyer who has excelled at all stages of her career. Her extensive background in civil and administrative law as well her experience working for some of the best judges in the region has prepared her for the bench.
Larson was a law clerk for Chief Justice Loria Gildea (Minnesota Supreme Court), the late Judge Myron B. Bright (8th U.S.). Circuit Court of Appeals and Chief judge John Tunheim of U.S. District Court, Minnesota. Briggs and Morgan P.A. also represented private-sector clientele in complex litigation matters.
Tunheim said that Elise Larson was a remarkable choice to serve the Minnesota Court of Appeals as a judge. She is a combination of a brilliant intellect and a hardworking ethic. She will be a leader in our judiciary over the next few years.
The native of Bagley, Minnesota is a graduate of Concordia College as well as the University of Minnesota law school. She has served on many court- and legislative-based commissions, mainly those that concern the environment and natural resource issues.
Paul Anderson, a former chief judge of the Court of Appeals and retired Minnesota Supreme Court justice, said that Elise Larson was smart, hardworking and collegial. She is also a true daughter of Northern Minnesota, which she has been chosen to represent. She will be a valuable addition to the court.
Walz appoints a merit-selection board
Larson was previously recommended, as well as three other finalists.
The seat is being occupied by Judge Dale Harris, Duluth, Judge Korey Wassuck, Grand Rapids, Judge Stoney Hiljus and Judge Stoney Wiljus, Mora.
The Minnesota Court of Appeals was founded in 1983 as an error-correcting intermediate court to allow the state Supreme Court more time to address difficult constitutional and public policy issues. Judges are elected to serve as the final arbiter in nearly 95% of the more that 2,000 appeals from trial courts and state agencies each year.
The court has 19 judges, one from each of Minnesota’s eight congressional districts and 11 members at large. The judges are usually appointed by the governor but serve six-year terms. They must run for reelection to keep their seats.
Larson’s investiture date was not announced immediately. She will be the fourth person to swear in and the first woman to hold the 8th Circuit seat after Florey and R.A. “Jim”, Randall (ex-Duluth attorney Larry Stauber).
