---
title: "Karen A. Janisch | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/karen-a-janisch-judge-fourth-judicial-district-mn"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-08-03"
---

# Karen A. Janisch

Minnesota Fourth Judicial District Court · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Minnesota Fourth Judicial District Court
- State: Minnesota
- Role: Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-26

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career

- Karen A. Janisch is a judge of the Minnesota Fourth Judicial District in Hennepin County, serving since her 2009 appointment by Governor Tim Pawlenty and re‐elected in 2010, 2016, and 2022
- Employment: Judicial law clerk to Idaho State Supreme Court Justice Byron J. Johnson, 1992-1993

### Education

- University of Minnesota Law School — J.D. (1992)
- College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph — B.A. (1987)

### Additional information

- Current term expires December 31, 2028.
- Employment: General counsel to the Governor, 2003-2009
- Employment: Partner (1999-2003) and associate attorney (1993-1998)
- She is admitted to the Minnesota Bar (1993) and the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota (1994)
- Rider Bennett, Egan and Arundel law firm in Minneapolis
- Appointed/Elected: Appointed by Governor Tim Pawlenty on Mar.

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### remote hearing recording

Scope: statewide

Minnesota Judicial Branch remote-hearing guidance says recording or broadcasting a remote proceeding is not authorized except as provided by court rules.

Evidence excerpt: No recording or broadcasting of any remote proceeding is authorized other than as provided by court rules.

[Remote Hearing Information](https://mncourts.gov/remote-hearings)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### camera audio recording devices

Scope: 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.

Evidence excerpt: According to Rule 4 of the MN Rules of General Practice for the District Courts, no pictures or voice recordings

[Security & Weapons Screening - Going to Court](https://mncourts.gov/find-courts/hennepin/going-to-court/security-weapons-screening)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://mncourts.gov/about-the-courts/judicialdirectory/active-judicial-officers/04-district/karen-a.-janisch)
- [Official roster](https://mncourts.gov/about-the-courts/judicialdirectory/active-judicial-officers/04-district/karen-a.-janisch)
- [Minnesota Judicial Branch official judicial roster](https://mncourts.gov/about-the-courts/judicialdirectory/active-judicial-officers/04-district/karen-a.-janisch)
- [Remote Hearing Information](https://mncourts.gov/remote-hearings)
- [Security & Weapons Screening - Going to Court](https://mncourts.gov/find-courts/hennepin/going-to-court/security-weapons-screening)
- [Judge Karen A. Janisch](https://mncourts.gov/about-the-courts/judicialdirectory/active-judicial-officers/04-district/karen-a.-janisch)

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## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [Remote Hearing Information](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-5920703a4c3a43b48164d80e) — 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](https://mncourts.gov/remote-hearings). Collected 2026-07-26.
- [Security & Weapons Screening - Going to Court](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-c45898f557aa190822c0bdd8) — 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](https://mncourts.gov/find-courts/hennepin/going-to-court/security-weapons-screening). Collected 2026-07-26.
