Senator Amy Klobuchar

Working for the People of Minnesota

Press Contact

Joel Gross
Press Secretary
(202) 224-3244

News Releases

Klobuchar Announces the Presidential Nomination of Susan Richard Nelson to be Federal District Court Judge

Nelson Has Served Nearly a Decade as a U.S. Magistrate Judge

April 21, 2010

Washington, DC – Today U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar announced that President Obama has nominated Susan Richard Nelson to be a judge on the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota. Klobuchar recommended Nelson to the President in November 2009 following consultation with a Judicial Selection Committee.

“I was honored to recommend Susan Richard Nelson to President Obama based on her unique depth and breadth of legal experience, and I’m pleased that the President officially nominated her today,” said Klobuchar.  “Susan Richard Nelson has the integrity, intellect, and temperament to be an excellent federal judge.  As a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I will work hard to ensure her swift confirmation.”

Nelson has served as a U.S. Magistrate Judge in Minnesota since June 2000. In this position, she serves as a judicial officer appointed by the judges of the federal court district and conducts a wide range of judicial proceedings to expedite the disposition of civil and criminal caseloads in the court.  She has a reputation for being thorough, prepared and possesses a unique ability to bring parties together to resolve legal disputes.

Prior to her appointment as a magistrate judge, Nelson was a trial lawyer in both state and federal courts for 22 years.  From 1994 to 1998, she served as a member of the core trial team representing the State of Minnesota and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota in the historic litigation against the tobacco industry.

Nelson would replace Judge James Rosenbaum, who earlier announced his decision to assume senior status this fall.

Assisting Klobuchar in her decision was a Judicial Selection Committee co-chaired by Tom Sullivan, Provost for the University of Minnesota and former Dean of the University of Minnesota School of Law, and Ellen Luger, an attorney and the Executive Director of the General Mills Foundation.  In a field of very highly qualified applicants, the committee recommended Susan Richard Nelson.

Federal judges are formally nominated by the president and must be confirmed by the full Senate. 

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