Notes on Judges (Family Law)

Notes on various Judicial officers as based on various hearings and reviewing orders.

Blue Earth County (Mankato)

Judge Mark Betters

• appointed in 2017
• requires 5 days on a response to a responive pleadings
• does go back in chambers to talk with lawyers
  • Clerk: Tracy    Tracie.Huiras@courts.state.mn.us
  • law clerk is Kris Mclean Kristine.maclean@court.state.mn.us

Judge Krista Jass

• Do NOT call Ma’am
• Not the most overtly friendly
• tends to award spousal support on an “equalization” basis.
  • Clerk: Cheryl   Cheryl.May@courts.state.mn.us

Judge Greg Anderson

• limited family law experience before going to the bench.
• Law Clerks appears to writes the orders
• very liberal on spousal support
• does not seem to fully understand attorney fees
• Law Clerk: Becca Peterson  Rebecca.Peterson@courts.state.mn.us
  • Law Clerk: Becca Peterson  Rebecca.Peterson@courts.state.mn.us

Judge Kurt Johnson Retired

• A bit hard of hearing
• doesn’t usually award temp. atty fees.
• Debbie Radzak is the clerk.
• Retired.

 

Nicollet County (St. Peter)

Judge Allison Krehbeil Retired

• Judge nearly 20 years, excellent, great temper, very fair.
• Seems to be gender neutral in divorces

Judge Todd Westphal Retired

• Judge about 10 years, much more reserved than Judge Krehbeil
• not as well versed in Family law
  • Clerk: Nancy Vogel  Nancy.Vogel@courts.mn.us

Fairbault County (Blue Earth)

Judge Troy Timmerman

• new Judge 2018
• zero family law experience
• Wants Hard copies only, no electronic for the trials.
• Mary K is his gal.

Jackson County (Jackson)

Judge Darcy Bentz

• Judge since about 2015
• no family law exp in private sector
• former P.D.
• Very poker faced, but fair and will listen to you
• expects rules to be followed

Martin County (Fairmont)

Judge Mike Treschnski

• Judge since 2016
• Overly fair, won’t stop a witness/pro se person from rambling.
• Won’t order fees generally, sort of does whatever he wants.

OLMSTED County (Rochester)

Judge Pam King:

• Does not want lots of family law witnesses, keep tis imple
• she wants a hard copy binder AND electronic copy
• Julie something was her clerk
• asked closing…

Judge Kristina Stevens

• Remove…remove…remove
• rude, dissrepftul, very unpleasant.
• again REMOVE.

Redwood County  (Redwood Falls)

Judge Patrick Rohland

• Law Clerk: Whitney Brakken
• Usually asks for people to attend sched conf in person
• Good judge

Freeborn County (Albert Lea)

Scott County (Shakopee)

Rex Stacey Retired (Rarely Seen)

• Always REMOVE.
• admonished several times by the Board
• plain rude, don’t even ask, just remove.

Ann Offerman

• former Dakota Co. Prosecutor
• very throgough
• doesn’t like partial settlements (or written arguments)
• can make oral arguments instead of Memo’s of law if you pitch it
• overall solid demeanor.
• Matthew.Clementson@courts.state.mn.us  is the clerk as of 5/9/2018

Steele County (Owattona)

Judge Karen Duncan

• OFP’s are usually one hearing (not split)
  • low thresheld
  • Clerk’s name is: Janet/Kim

Waseca

Judge Carol Hanks

• OFP’s are usually one hearing (not split)
  • often orders OFP’s from the bench.

Watonwan

Judge Farrazzano II

• pleasant, respectful, excellent judge
• be organized and prepared
• past public defender and often defers to the lawyers on scheduling issues for family law
• NOTE:  if two lawyers..only one per witness can question