Nicole Blissenbach at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Minnesota · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Nicole Blissenbach
Biography
Professional career
- Appointed by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz in June 2026 as a District Court Judge in the state’s Fourth Judicial District, serving in Minneapolis, Hennepin County
- Employment: Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry
- Employment: Legal Writing Attorney Instructor, University of Minnesota Law School
- Governor Walz emphasized that her background in labor law and public service will help ensure fair and thoughtful justice in the district’s courtrooms
Education
- University of Minnesota-Morris — B.A.
- University of Minnesota Law School — J.D.
Additional information
- She took over the role in a temporary capacity in August 2022 and was confirmed permanently in January 2023.
- Employment: Associate Attorney, Miller O'Brien Cummins, P.L.L.P.
- Employment: Associate, Education Minnesota
- Prior to that, she held various positions within DLI and served as an attorney at Education Minnesota and Miller O’Brien Cummins
- Before becoming a judge, Blissenbach held the role of Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), a cabinet-level agency overseeing workplace safety, labor standards, and regulated industries.
- One of three new judges appointed to fill vacancies in the district, which covers Hennepin County.
- Her appointment marks a transition from high-level labor policy leadership to the judicial bench, bringing her extensive administrative and legal experience to cases in Hennepin County.
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 Fourth 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 Fourth 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 ↗