Alumni News: Court of Appeals Judge Theodora Gaïtas ’94 Appointed to the Minnesota Supreme Court

Governor Tim Walz appointed Minnesota Law alum Court of Appeals Judge Theodora Gaïtas ’94 to the Minnesota Supreme Court on Monday, April 22. 

Walz also appointed Stearns County Chief Judge Sarah Hennesy to the state Supreme Court. Gaïtas and Hennesy will fill the seats held by retiring Justices Margaret Chutich and G. Barry Anderson, returning the court to a female majority for the first time since 1994.

Both new justices have extensive experience in aiding lower-income citizens with criminal, appellate, and civil matters. 

Walz said Gaïtas understands the complexities of the system and "is a remarkable jurist who has served at all levels of our judiciary."

In August 2020, he appointed Gaïtas to the Court of Appeals. Before that, she served two years on the Hennepin County District Court bench as an appointee of Gov. Mark Dayton.

Gaïtas also served as an assistant public defender in the Office of the Minnesota Appellate Public Defender from 1998-2013, handling criminal appeals from across the state for indigent clients.

Cathryn Middlebrook, managing attorney in the state appellate office, said she has long "been impressed by the complete person that Judge Gaïtas is. Her experience, deep knowledge of the law, and reasoned and compassionate commitment to justice bring an essential perspective to the court and the State of Minnesota."

In his announcement, Walz noted that Gaïtas is co-chair of the Tribal Court State Court Forum, a committee that promotes collaboration between tribal courts and state courts in Minnesota. Gaïtas will succeed Chutich, who plans to leave the court on July 31.