After more than 13 long years as Chief Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court, Lorie Skjerven-Gildea will step down on October 1, 2023. Gildea is the second woman in Minnesota’s history to hold the title of chief justice. She also holds the record for the longest tenure as chief justice. Gildea, as her tenure on the Court was coming to an end reflected on how she got to the Court and what experiences shaped it.
Gildea was conceived in Plummer in the northwest Minnesota town of 292 residents. Gildea’s father Roger lived outside of Plummer on a small farm after moving there from Park River in North Dakota. Charlotte, Gildea’s mother, grew in Plummer, where her father was the blacksmith.
Charlotte was a bookkeeper and Roger drove a gas truck. Roger and Charlotte were also active in their community. Roger was a volunteer firefighter in his small community for many years. Charlotte, the only woman on the school board at the time, used her position as a spokesperson for girls participating in sports. Gildea was inspired to serve her community by the care and investment her parents showed towards their small town.
Gildea didn’t know any lawyers, and there were none in her family at the time. She also doesn’t remember ever wanting to be anything else but an attorney. Gildea’s mother said it was because Gildea loved to argue. Gildea, who was eager to begin law school, took extra classes at the University of Minnesota Morris in order to graduate with a bachelor’s in political science in just three years. She went to Washington, D.C., to study at Georgetown University Law Center.
Gildea began her career in Washington, D.C., at Arent Fox, before returning to Minnesota and working in the Office of General Counsel of the University of Minnesota. Gildea enjoyed working in private practice as well as at the University but knew she wanted to become a prosecutor. She tried to get a prosecutor position in several cities without success. However, she did not give up. She took advantage of the professional development leave provided by the university to work as a special prosecutor in the City of Minneapolis and Hennepin County.
Gildea also applied for a position as a district court judge in the state. She enjoyed being in court and thought she could be a positive influence on the other side. She remained optimistic that one day she would become a prosecutor.
Amy Klobuchar, now Senator, hired Gildea in 2004 as an assistant Hennepin County Attorney. Gildea was responsible for prosecuting cases that involved vulnerable adults under conservatorship or guardianship. Gildea was deeply affected by these cases because she saw the abuse and neglect that vulnerable adults were subjected to at the hands those who were responsible for their protection.
After only a year of being a prosecutor in 2005, a vacancy on the bench at district court arose. Gildea initially planned to not apply for the district court judgeship in order to gain more experience as the prosecutor she had been seeking for so many years. She decided to apply after her husband Andrew encouraged her. Gildea says, “It is funny how life can take you to places.”
Gildea, as a district judge, was impressed by the volume of cases judges had to deal with. She was also impressed by the dedication of the district court staff to providing service to the public.
She was a district judge for only a few short months before her life took a new direction. On January 11, 2006. Gov. Pawlenty nominated Gildea to the Minnesota Supreme Court as an Associate Justice. She was appointed to replace Russell A. Anderson who had served as associate justice prior to being appointed chief justice. Gildea was immediately mentored by Chief Justice Anderson when she joined the court. Chief Justice Anderson stressed the importance of collaboration among justices, and refused to let self-importance interfere with the Court’s work.
Pawlenty appointed Gildea as chief justice on July 1, 2010. Pawlenty named Gildea chief justice. She used her experiences as a district court judge and prosecutor to determine the changes she wanted implemented. Gildea was the Judicial Branch’s leader in the implementation of the Conservator Accounting Auditing Program (CAAP). This program provides enhanced oversight to conservators, helping prevent the abuse and neglect she saw as a prosecutor. CAAP was recognized by both the state and nation in 2015 for its benefits to vulnerable adults. Gildea was also mindful of the number of cases and the resources needed at the district courts, while advocating tirelessly to the Legislature for increased funding and support.
Gildea, along with Chief Justice Anderson, stressed the importance of collegiality within the Court. Gildea, who took a more formal tone at conferences to promote respect in the conversation, made sure that justices addressed each other with their formal titles. Gildea also made sure that the justices didn’t interrupt each other, so each justice could be heard.
Gildea has been taking riding lessons for the last 20 years and competes in reining, a sport that demonstrates the skills required of working ranch horses. Gildea, who has been riding for 20 years, competes in reining – a sport which demonstrates the skills needed by ranch horses. Gildea uses riding as a way to relax and decompress. She describes it as “a little physical” and “tremendously humble.”
Gildea, during her tenure as chief Justice, led the Judicial Branch in times of uncertainty, most recently a pandemic around the world. Gildea says that the Judicial Branch relied on procedures established before the pandemic in order to navigate through the uncertainty. Gildea was most proud of the way judges and court staff handled pandemic challenges. The Judicial Branch showed their willingness to serve even in the worst circumstances. From IT staff travelling across the state setting up virtual courtrooms to judges and staff returning to work despite the risks, they all demonstrated this.
Gildea, who led the Judicial Branch during the worst stages of the pandemic while also securing important investments in the courts at the previous Legislative Session decided that it was time for her to step down from the position of chief justice. She is confident that the Court’s collegial culture will be protected and that the Minnesota public will have the highest regard for and confidence in the institution. Gildea has not given up on her profession, which she wanted to pursue for most of her life. Gildea has another adventure waiting for her, and she is eager to find out what it will be.
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