The Honorable G. Tony Atwal, Judge of Ramsey County District Court
I was appointed to the Ramsey County District Court in 2016 after being interviewed by Governor Mark Dayton and the Minnesota Judicial Selection Commission. I took the oath of office on May 16, 2016.
Since my appointment over two years ago, I have earned a reputation for integrity, fairness, respectfulness to all, and a thorough knowledge of Minnesota law. I understand that every person brings into the courtroom their life experience and regardless of the case’s outcome, I believe they should know that their arguments were listened to and understood and the case was fairly and justly decided under the law.
Prior to my appointment, I practiced complex litigation in federal and state courts across the United States and was licensed to practice law in the United States Supreme Court. In addition, I briefed and argued over 120 cases before the Minnesota Supreme Court and the Minnesota Court of Appeals. These cases involved important questions of law under the Minnesota Constitution and included precedent-setting decisions that are controlling law for Minnesota.
I co-author the Minnesota Courtroom Evidence Deskbook and the Minnesota Practice Jury Instruction Guides, which are used in courtrooms throughout Minnesota. This fall, I began my 10th year as a professor at Mitchell Hamline School of Law, where I teach in the evenings and was named a professor of the year in 2016. I have educated hundreds of law students and know the importance of sharing my extensive knowledge of the law with the next generation of attorneys such that they can continue the tradition of excellence in practice in Minnesota.
I’m a board member of the Minnesota Supreme Court Historical Society, the Ramsey County Child Protection Steering Committee, the Ramsey County Indian Child Welfare Act Advisory Board, and the Children’s Justice Initiative. I’m also a member of the Minnesota State Bar Association, the Ramsey County Bar Association, and the Minnesota Asian Pacific American Bar Association. I also continue my work on behalf of veterans as a presiding judge for the annual Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans Stand Down, which provides assistance to veterans throughout Minnesota.
I graduated from Mitchell Hamline School of Law in 2003, and clerked for two Ramsey County District Court judges, first with the Honorable Wilhelmina M. Wright and later with the Honorable Gregg E. Johnson. I also clerked at the prestigious Minnesota law firm of Robins, Kaplan, Miller, and Ciresi.
I’m honored to be supported and endorsed for election by former supreme court justices and judges, lawyers, law professors, legal associations, and community leaders throughout Ramsey County. View my supporters page here: www.judgeatwal.com
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You can learn more about G. Tony Atwal here.