Debra Groehler named to fill 3rd Judicial District vacancy
Debra Groehler, the managing attorney in the Civil Division of the Olmsted County Attorney’s Office, has been named the new judge for Dodge County in the Third Judicial District. Groehler’s appointment was announced last week by Gov. tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan.
Groehler is replacing Judge Jodi Williamson who is retiring later this month.
“I am pleased to appoint Debra Groehler to the Dodge County bench,” said Walz. “Her impressive background handling challenging legal matters for the Olmsted County Attorney’s Office, combined with her passion for serving her community, will make her a great addition to the Third Judicial District.”
“Debra Groehler is a bright legal mind and a proven leader who will ensure that justice is administered fairly and impartially to all,” said Flanagan. “I look forward to seeing the great work she will do for the people of Dodge County.”
Minnesota’s Third Judicial District encompasses Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca, and Winona counties. Groehler will be chambered in Mantorville.
She currently is a managing attorney in the Civil Division of the Olmsted County Attorney’s Office, where she supervises a team of attorneys who handle child protection, adult protection, and juvenile delinquency cases. She previously worked as the executive director of Legal Assistance of Olmsted County, an attorney in private practice representing clients in family law matters, and a judicial law clerk for the Honorable Gerard W. Ring.
Her community involvement includes serving as a member of the Juvenile Law Committee at the Minnesota County Attorneys Association and as secretary of the Next Chapter Ministry Board of Directors. She has also volunteered for the Rochester Public Schools and for the Honors Choirs of Southeast Minnesota.
Groehler earned her B.A. from the University of Wisconsin, Madison and J.D. from Hamline University School of Law.
Williamson’s last day on the bench will be February 24.
Williamson has served as a judge in the Third Judicial District since Jan. 7, 2000 when she was appointed by Gov. Jesse Ventura. She was elected to the position in 2002, 2008, 2004, and 2020.
Her original appointment was as a judge in the Olmsted County District Court, where she served as one of seven judges until 2013 when she was appointed to the Dodge County position to replace retiring Judge Joseph R. Wieners.
After Williamson announced her retirement plans and the vacancy was announced, interested parties were asked to submit applications to the Judicial Selection Commission. The commission met earlier this month and interviewed applicants and selected three individuals to be submitted to Walz for a final selection.
Photo: Debra Groehler