FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 1, 2023
Contact: Claire Lancaster
claire.lancaster@state.mn.us
651-219-2975
Governor Walz Appoints Debra Groehler to Fill Third Judicial District Vacancy
[ST.
PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan
today announced the appointment of Debra Groehler as District Court
Judge in Minnesota’s Third Judicial District. Groehler will be replacing
the Honorable Jodi L. Williamson and will be chambered in Mantorville
in Dodge County.
“I am pleased to appoint Debra Groehler to the Dodge County bench,” said Governor Walz. “Her
impressive background handling challenging legal matters for the
Olmsted County Attorney’s Office, combined with her passion for serving
her community, will make her a great addition to the Third Judicial
District.”
“Debra
Groehler is a bright legal mind and a proven leader who will ensure
that justice is administered fairly and impartially to all,” said Lieutenant Governor Flanagan. “I look forward to seeing the great work she will do for the people of Dodge County.”
Minnesota’s
Third Judicial District encompasses Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Houston,
Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca, and Winona counties.
Debra
Groehler is a managing attorney in the Civil Division of the Olmsted
County Attorney’s Office, where she supervises a team of attorneys who
handle child protection, adult protection, and juvenile delinquency
cases. She previously worked as the executive director of Legal
Assistance of Olmsted County, an attorney in private practice
representing clients in family law matters, and a judicial law clerk for
the Honorable Gerard W. Ring. Her community involvement includes
serving as a member of the Juvenile Law Committee at the Minnesota
County Attorneys Association and as secretary of the Next Chapter
Ministry Board of Directors. She has also volunteered for the Rochester
Public Schools and for the Honors Choirs of Southeast Minnesota. She
earned her B.A. from the University of Wisconsin, Madison and J.D. from
Hamline University School of Law.
For more information about the judicial selection process, please visit the Governor’s Judicial Appointments webpage.
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