Dannia L. Edwards at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Minnesota · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Dannia L. Edwards
Biography
Professional career
- In 2019, Edwards became the first African American female judge in Minnesota’s First Judicial District
- Selected as a District Court Judge in Minnesota’s First Judicial District by Governor Tim Walz on October 4, 2019, filling the vacancy left by the retirement of Judge Thomas W. Pugh
- Past Employment: Associate, several law firms
- Past Employment: Assistant Public Defender, Third Judicial District Public Defender’s Office
- Past Employment: Senior associate, Hassan & Reed, Ltd
- Past Employment: Tax Associate, Coopers & Lybrand
- Past Employment: Assistant Public Defender, First Judicial District Public Defender’s Office
- Edwards has spoken publicly on issues of justice, equity, and diversity, emphasizing the importance of continued conversations about race and representation in legal and civic spaces
Education
- Ohio State University College of Law — J.D.
Additional information
- Elected in 2020.
- Past Employment: Contract attorney
- Milberg, Weiss via Esquire Group
- Past Employment: Trial attorney, Legal Rights Center
- representing individuals in criminal, juvenile, and CHIPS matters.
- Additionally, she has experience in a major accounting firm and other law firms, demonstrating a diverse legal career
- Appointed/Elected: Appointed by Governor Tim Walz on Oct.
- Current term expires Jan.
- Before her judicial appointment, Edwards held the role of an assistant public defender in both the First and Third Judicial Districts
- She also worked in private practice, including roles as a contract attorney for Milberg Weiss, senior associate at Hassan & Reed, and trial attorney for the Legal Rights Center.
- Her educational background combines law and business, supporting her multifaceted professional expertise
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Remote appearances
Statewide
Minnesota Judicial Branch remote-hearing guidance says recording or broadcasting a remote proceeding is not authorized except as provided by court rules.
No recording or broadcasting of any remote proceeding is authorized other than as provided by court rules.Remote Hearing Information ↗
Recording and broadcasting
Statewide
Minnesota court guidance cites Rule 4 of the Minnesota General Rules of Practice and says pictures or voice recordings are not allowed except the official court record.
According to Rule 4 of the MN Rules of General Practice for the District Courts, no pictures or voice recordingsSecurity & Weapons Screening - Going to Court ↗
Published courtroom rules
Shared court rules
Remote Hearing Information
Minnesota First Judicial District Court
Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory.
Official source ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26Security & Weapons Screening - Going to Court
Minnesota First Judicial District Court
Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory.
Official source ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26Sources
Identity source checked July 26, 2026.
Biography sources checked August 3, 2026.
Minnesota Judicial Branch official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Minnesota Judicial Branch official judicial roster ↗Remote Hearing Information
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Remote Hearing Information ↗Security & Weapons Screening - Going to Court
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Security & Weapons Screening - Going to Court ↗