AFJ Applauds Historic Appointments to Minnesota Supreme Court 

WASHINGTON, D.C., August 25, 2023 – Alliance for Justice commends Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz for announcing this week his promotion of Natalie Hudson to chief justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court, making her the Court’s first non-white chief and one of the few people of color to lead any state supreme court. In addition to over 20 years as a judge and justice, Hudson’s brings an extensive legal career, including serving indigent clients in their moment of need and teaching on many legal subjects. 

Walz also named Karl Procaccini to fill Hudson’s seat as associate justice, following his work in the governor’s office leading the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Jake Faleschini, legal director for state courts at Alliance for Justice, issued the following statement: 

“Gov. Walz’s appointment of Natalie Hudson to chief justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court sets a high bar for what we should expect from state supreme courts. Hudson’s commitment to equal rights under the law will be a boon for the court, which will now have only one justice appointed by a Republican governor. It should not be so novel to have a woman of color in a chief justice role, but Justice Hudson will no doubt blaze a trail for other courts across the country. With the U.S. Supreme Court taking a hands-off approach on so many important issues, who serves on our state courts is more important than ever, and we have no doubt Minnesota is in good hands.”