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Minnesota's incoming Chief Justice Theodora Gaïtas wants to make courts more accessible

A white woman with long hair listens to a man talk
Minnesota Supreme Court Associate Justice Theodora Karin Gaïtas (left) listens as Nicholas Nelson, an attorney representing Republican House leadership, responds to her question during oral arguments at the Minnesota Judicial Center in St. Paul on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025
Ben Hovland | MPR News

Minnesota will soon have a new top judge on its highest court. Gov. Tim Walz announced Tuesday that Supreme Court Associate Justice Theodora Gaïtas will be taking over after Chief Justice Natalie Hudson retires at the end of September.

Gaïtas was appointed to the court by Walz in 2024, and she is a notable choice for a couple of reasons: She will be the first former public defender to lead the court and she is the only Minnesota Supreme Court Justice to have served at all three levels of the judicial branch.

Gaïtas said one of the issues she want’s to prioritize is accessibility in courtrooms across the state.

“A significant problem in Minnesota is that there just aren't enough lawyers to represent all of the people who need representation, particularly in rural areas, and I would really like to lead on that issue,” she said.

Listen to the full interview by clicking the player above.