Chief Justice-designate Natalie Hudson
Justice Natalie Hudson, a one-time assistant dean at Hamline University School of Law, was elevated Wednesday from her post as associate justice to chief justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court.
The historic appointment from Gov. Tim Walz will mark the first time the state’s highest court is led by a person of color.
“Justice Hudson is one of our state’s most experienced jurists,” said Walz, in a statement. “I am confident that she will advance a vision that promotes fairness and upholds the dignity of all Minnesotans.”
Justice Hudson’s career before the bench included a stop at Hamline University School of Law from 1989 to 1992, where she was assistant dean of student affairs. In the role, Hudson worked to attract students of color and worked closely with students as a counselor and advisor on matters ranging from academic stresses and career goals to personal matters affecting their studies.
“I like the variety,” Hudson told the Oracle, Hamline University’s student newspaper, in 1990. “It allows me to do more things, to be more involved in the community. I had missed that kind of involvement.”
Professor emerita Marie Failinger said Hudson was known as someone who managed several different responsibilities very well. “She really was there for the students and got along with all the faculty and staff well,” said Failinger.
An article in the Minneapolis Star Tribune on Apr. 25, 1992, noting Hudson’s move from Hamline Law to become the new city attorney in St. Paul.
In 1992, Hudson departed Hamline Law to become St. Paul’s city attorney. She later served in the Minnesota attorney general’s office before being named to the Court of Appeals in 2002 by Gov. Jesse Ventura. After 13 years on the court, Hudson was appointed to the Minnesota Supreme Court in 2015 by Gov. Mark Dayton.
Hudson continued to work with students after joining the bench. “She has generously shared her time with our Mitchell Hamline law students over the years,” said Professor Leanne Fuith. “She’s offered mentorship and support and also introduced them to the great work of the Minnesota judiciary and the special responsibility that our future lawyers, and all of us, have for the quality of justice.
“Justice Hudson is invested in the future of the legal profession.”
When she was first named to the Supreme Court in 2015, she was appointed to replace retiring Justice Alan Page, who is also an NFL Hall of Famer. Hudson’s father, Don, had been a player in college who struggled to get head coaching jobs at a time when such jobs weren’t open to Black men.
When he did finally get a head coaching job – at Macalester College in St. Paul in late 1971 – he was the first Black head football coach at a predominantly white college in the modern era. The moment passed with little fanfare, only receiving recognition years later.
Justice Natalie Hudson (second from left) spoke at an event at Mitchell Hamline in Sep. 2021 about the judicial branch and how interested students can best apply for positions including clerkships. She is photographed with fellow judges (L-R) Leonardo Castro, Sophia Vuelo ’98, and Peter Reyes ’97.
Born in Missouri, Hudson’s family moved to Minnesota in the late 1960s. Originally drawn to veterinary medicine, she eventually shifted to wanting a legal career. She graduated from Arizona State University in 1979, then from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1982. Upon graduation from law school, Hudson practiced housing law as a staff attorney with Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services, then in private practice at Robins, Kaplan, Miller and Ciresi before joining Hamline Law.
“I am greatly honored to be selected as the next chief justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court,” said Justice Hudson, in a statement. “This is a tremendous responsibility that I approach with humility and resolve, seeking to continue the work of my predecessors in administering one of the best state court systems in the nation, and always seeking to deliver the most accessible, highest-quality court services for the citizens of Minnesota.”
Also named to the court on Wednesday was Karl Procaccini, who recently left the governor’s office after four-plus years as general counsel. Procaccini, who was an assistant adjunct professor at William Mitchell College of Law for one semester in 2014, will fill Hudson’s associate justice seat when Hudson becomes chief justice. Hudson, 66, will take over as chief justice from Lorie Gildea, who announced her retirement in June.
Further reading:
Justice Natalie Hudson will be first Black chief of Minnesota Supreme Court (Minneapolis Star Tribune)
Minnesota governor names first Black chief justice of state Supreme Court, Natalie Hudson (Associated Press)