Judge Kathryn Fodness: Biography & Judicial Service | KnowJudges

# Kathryn Fodness
District Court Judge (2026) · Minnesota Tenth Judicial District Court

## Current judicial service
Appointment announcement supports the court and chambers. The individual oath/first sitting date was not separately established; use year precision.
[Minnesota Tenth Judicial District Court](/kyj/court/mn/minnesota-tenth-judicial-district-court) — District Court Judge (2026)
Service sources and dates[Walz appoints Fodness and St. George](https://mn.gov/governor/newsroom/press-releases/?id=1055-750448) · Checked October 17, 2026

## Biography

### Professional career

- Appointed in May 2026 as a District Court Judge in Minnesota’s Tenth Judicial District, filling the Chisago County seat previously held by Judge Douglas B. Meslow

### Education


### Additional information

- One of three judges appointed by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz on May 22, 2026, to serve in the Tenth Judicial District, which includes Anoka, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Pine, Sherburne, Washington, and Wright counties.
- She previously held the role of general counsel for Minnesota Management and Budget.
- She will be chambered in Center City, Chisago County.
- Governor Walz highlighted her leadership, experience with high‐stakes litigation, and commitment to public service, noting her steady approach under pressure and dedication to the people she serves.

## Sources

Identity source checked October 6, 2026.
Biography sources checked October 11, 2026.
01
### Office of Governor of Minnesota
Identity source · HTML · Source checked October 6, 2026
[View Office of Governor of Minnesota ↗](https://mn.gov/governor/newsroom/press-releases/?id=1055-750448)

[Public Records & Data Use](/public-records-data-use) · [Corrections policy](/corrections)

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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.