Julie Allyn '95, Maximillia Utley '08, and Terri Yellowhammer '95 Appointed to Hennepin County District Court Bench

Governor Tim Walz has appointed three Minnesota Law alumni—Julie Allyn '95, Maximillia Utley '08, and Terri Yellowhammer '95—to serve on Minnesota’s Fourth Judicial District bench.

Allyn serves as an assistant U.S. attorney in Minnesota. Previously, she served as an assistant Hennepin County attorney and a Minnesota assistant attorney general. Allyn is a trial lawyer with twenty years of experience prosecuting major felony crimes ranging from child exploitation, human trafficking, murder, and rape cases to international and domestic terrorism matters. She is also an adjunct professor at the Law School. 

“Ms. Allyn, who has successfully handled many state and federal criminal matters, has demonstrated a strong aptitude as a prosecutor," Governor Walz said. "She will make an excellent addition to the Fourth Judicial District.”

Utley is a senior assistant Hennepin county attorney. In this role, she is a supervising attorney in the Juvenile Prosecution Division where she has been involved in several office initiatives to increase the use of juvenile diversion and reduce disparities in the justice system. Previously, Utley worked in every other criminal division in the office, litigating a wide range of felony-level offenses, and was a judicial clerk at the Minnesota Court of Appeals. She also previously served as the president of the Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers.

 

“Ms. Utley has a reputation for excellence and compassion,” said Governor Walz. “She has demonstrated an outstanding capacity to fight for the rights of all Minnesotans inside and outside of the courtroom. Her work addressing systemic disparities in the justice system and her engagement in social justice issues will serve her well as a judge.”

Yellowhammer is the American Indian community relations development manager for Hennepin County. In this role, she guides the county on effective partnering with tribal communities in the twin cities and on reservations in Minnesota on a range of issues, including the overrepresentation of American Indian children in the child protection system. Previously, she represented indigent clients in adult and juvenile child protection cases at the Indian Child Welfare Law Center, was a White Earth Nation Tribal Court judge, and was a Minnesota assistant attorney general. 

 

"[Ms. Yellowhammer] is a tireless public servant, having spent her career fighting systemic inequities,” said Governor Walz. “Her experience as a tribal judge and her steadfast focus on increasing collaboration between underrepresented communities and the criminal justice system will give her a unique perspective in her new role.”

All three seats will be chambered in Minneapolis.

Media release: