FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 19, 2026
Contact: Maren Stewart
maren.stewart@state.mn.us
612-594-1721
Governor Walz Appoints Justice Theodora Gaïtas to Serve as Chief Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court and Judge Reynaldo Aligada, Jr. as Associate Justice
[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz today announced the appointment of Justice Theodora Gaïtas to serve as chief justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court. Gaïtas will fill the vacancy that will occur upon the retirement of Chief Justice Natalie Hudson in September. Governor Walz also announced the appointment of Judge Reynaldo Aligada, Jr. to serve as associate justice. Aligada will fill the vacancy that will occur upon Justice Gaïtas’s elevation to chief justice.
“Justice Gaïtas will be an exceptional chief justice, leading the Judicial Branch with wisdom, resolve, and fairness,” said Governor Walz. “She brings a rare breadth of experience, having served at every level of our state’s judiciary, and will be the first public defender to serve as chief justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court. That perspective will be invaluable, guiding her leadership as she takes on this profound responsibility to serve all Minnesotans.”
“I am honored by this appointment, which I accept with gratitude and purpose,” said Justice Theodora Gaïtas. “I’m committed to a judiciary that all Minnesotans can access, trust, and rely on. These commitments will guide every decision I make as chief justice. I look forward to working alongside the talented judges and court professionals across this state, whose dedication makes justice possible every day. And I want to recognize and thank Chief Justice Hudson, who has provided outstanding service to the judicial branch and the people of Minnesota.”
“Justice Theodora Gaïtas is an excellent choice by the Governor to be the next chief justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court and head of the Minnesota Judicial Branch,” said Chief Justice Natalie Hudson of the Minnesota Supreme Court. “Justice Gaïtas and I were frequent adversaries as practicing lawyers, and over the last two years, I have been fortunate to work with her as a colleague on the Supreme Court. That history has revealed that she is principled, thoughtful, compassionate and has a keen legal mind. She also has a deep respect for the collegial, deliberative process that defines the Supreme Court. Equally important, she has a long history of commitment to access to justice from her stellar career with the Office of the Minnesota Appellate Public Defender. She is also a broad, nuanced thinker – traits that will serve her well as the head of the third branch of government. Minnesotans will be the fortunate beneficiaries of Justice Gaïtas's tremendous gifts and talents.”
“As a former colleague, I know that Justice Gaïtas will bring to this leadership position her strong intellect, impeccable integrity, and good judgment and common sense,” said Chief Judge Jennifer Frisch of the Minnesota Court of Appeals. “She is committed to the rule of law, a dedicated public servant and visionary leader, and a profound voice for equal justice under the law. Minnesotans are so fortunate that she has chosen to serve in this important role.”
“I'm excited about the appointment of Justice Theodora Gaïtas as chief justice of Minnesota Supreme Court,” said Justice Alan Page, retired Minnesota Supreme Court justice. “Having had the privilege of working alongside five chief justices, I know she will make that distinguished group proud.”
About Theodora Gaïtas:
Justice Gaïtas serves as a justice on the Minnesota Supreme Court. She is the only sitting justice to have experience serving on all three levels of the Minnesota Judicial Branch, as she previously served as a judge on the Minnesota Court of Appeals and as a judge in the Fourth Judicial District. While a district court judge, she presided over a felony caseload in the criminal division and co-chaired the Domestic Violence Steering Committee. At the court of appeals, Gaïtas co-chaired the court’s Equal Justice Committee and Tribal Court/State Court Forum. Gaïtas serves as a liaison for several Minnesota Supreme Court Advisory Committees, including for the Rules of Evidence, Rules of Juvenile Delinquency Procedure, and Special Rules of Civil Commitment Procedure. Gaïtas’s community involvement includes volunteering with Meals on Wheels and the Reader/Writer mentoring program in partnership with Minneapolis Public Schools. She earned her B.A. from the University of Minnesota and her J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School.
“It is my distinct honor to appoint Judge Aligada to the Minnesota Supreme Court,” said Governor Walz. “He is someone who leaves a lasting impression on everyone he meets, pairing a keen legal mind with genuine humility and compassion. He will be a justice who truly sees and listens to the people who come before him, ensuring every voice is heard and respected. In addition to his outstanding judicial background, he will bring a perspective not yet represented on this court, the voice of Minnesota’s Asian Pacific Islander community, further strengthening the court’s connection to the people it serves.”
“I am humbled and honored to be selected as an associate justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court” said Judge Reynaldo Aligada. “I am so grateful to the Governor and his team for entrusting me with this great responsibility. I recognize the impact the Court’s decisions have on the lives of Minnesotans, and I will strive to do justice and protect the rule of law.”
“Judge Aligada has had an exemplary career as a district court judge in the Second Judicial District, and he will bring that expertise to the Supreme Court,” said Chief Justice Natalie Hudson of the Minnesota Supreme Court. “He has a superb legal mind and is widely recognized for his thoughtfulness, integrity, and warmth. Judge Aligada will be a tremendous asset to the Court.”
“I can think of no one more able and deserving to serve the people of Minnesota on the Minnesota Supreme Court,” said former Judge Wilhelmina Wright of the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota and former Minnesota Supreme Court justice. “Judge Reynaldo Aligada brings a wealth of knowledge to the Court from his experience as a distinguished law clerk, a lawyer in public and private practice, and a judge on the Minnesota District Court. He will bring to the Supreme Court a strong commitment to the rule of law and to public service and great respect for all who appear before the Court. I know that he will serve the state, the people of Minnesota and the interest of justice with great intellect, integrity, empathy and honor.”
“Judge Reggie Aligada will be an outstanding Supreme Court associate justice,” said Judge Michael Davis of the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota. “I cannot speak highly enough of my respect for him. I have watched Judge Aligada grow from a law student into an accomplished lawyer and an outstanding judge. I know that his dedication, integrity, emotional and legal intelligence are traits that are constant and will serve him well on our highest court.”
About Reynaldo Aligada, Jr.:
Judge Aligada serves as a district court judge in Ramsey County. He previously worked in the Office of the Federal Defender, first as an assistant federal defender and then as a first assistant federal defender. He also was an associate at Robins, Kaplan, Miller, & Ciresi and a clerk for Judge Wilhelmina M. Wright on the Minnesota Court of Appeals and Judge Michael J. Davis on the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota. He currently serves as chair of the Minnesota Supreme Court Advisory Committee on the Minnesota Rules of Evidence. He is also a member of the Tribal Court State Court Forum and the Committee on the Minnesota Civil Jury Instructions. He received his B.A. from St. John’s University and his J.D. from William Mitchell College of Law.
Selection process:
Governor Walz asked a merit selection panel consisting of leadership in his administration, as well as the at-large members of the Commission on Judicial Selection, to review candidates for the associate justice position. The panel reviewed seven candidates and recommended that four interview with the Governor. He also invited the current members of the Supreme Court to interview for the chief justice vacancy. Three candidates expressed interest in the position.
For more information about the judicial selection process, please visit the Governor’s Judicial Appointments webpage.
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