FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 16, 2021
Contact: Teddy Tschann
teddy.tschann@state.mn.us
651-402-8841
Governor Walz Appoints Anna Andow and Theresa Couri to Fill Fourth Judicial District Vacancies
[ST. PAUL, MN] – Today, Governor Tim Walz announced the appointments of Anna Andow and Theresa Couri as District Court Judges in Minnesota’s Fourth Judicial District. These seats are chambered in Minneapolis in Hennepin County.
Ms. Andow’s appointment will fill a vacancy that occurred upon the retirement of Judge Kevin S. Burke.
“I am honored to appoint Ms. Andow to the Fourth Judicial District bench,” said Governor Walz. “Ms. Andow is an exceptional attorney who has a substantial amount of trial experience and has demonstrated a deep commitment to public service. She will be a wonderful addition to the Fourth Judicial District.”
“Ms. Andow is a highly capable attorney and a committed public servant,” said Lieutenant Governor Flanagan. “Ms. Andow’s experience as a legal-aid attorney and Child Support Magistrate judge in the Fourth Judicial District have prepared her well to take on the varied challenges faced by district court judges. The bench will greatly benefit from her skills, experience, and perspective.”
Ms. Couri’s appointment will fill a vacancy that occurred upon the retirement of Judge Mary R. Vasaly.
“I am also honored to appoint Ms. Couri to the Fourth Judicial District bench,” said Governor Walz. “Ms. Couri brings a wealth of legal and management experience that will greatly benefit the bench. She is a well-respected litigator and dedicated public servant. I look forward to seeing her continue to serve her community in this new role.”
“Ms. Couri is a servant leader who brings remarkable legal skills and compassion to the bench,” said Lieutenant Governor Flanagan. “Ms. Couri’s impressive legal career has spanned private practice, prosecution, and management. In addition to her legal experience, her temperament, judgment, and strong work ethic will make her an excellent judge.”
About Anna Andow
Anna Andow: Ms. Andow is a Child Support Magistrate at the Family Law Justice Center in Minneapolis. In her role, Ms. Andow presides over child support matters in expedited court. Previously, she was a staff attorney for over a decade at Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid. In her role as a staff attorney, Ms. Andow represented clients in court in a wide array of contested family law matters and advised many people in need from our state’s most diverse communities. Ms. Andow has also worked extensively with a variety of public agencies, non-profit organizations, and other stakeholders in Minnesota to help serve the needs of the most underrepresented populations.
Ms. Andow earned her B.A. in psychology from Baylor University, B.S. in biology from the University of Texas at Arlington, and J.D. from William Mitchell College of Law.
About Theresa Couri
Theresa Couri: Ms. Couri is a Managing County Attorney at the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office. She is responsible for managing the Adult Services (Mental Health) and Child Support Divisions, and the Community Engagement Unit. Previously, Ms. Couri served as an Assistant Attorney General in the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office and as a Litigation Associate at the Oppenheimer, Wolff & Donnelly law firm. She has also served as an adjunct professor of Legal Writing at Mitchell Hamline College of Law. She began her career representing indigent clients in domestic violence cases at the Legal Assistance Foundation in Chicago. Ms. Couri’s community involvement includes serving as a volunteer mentor for the Diversity Leadership Mentoring Program, a member of the Hennepin County Disparity Reduction Committee (Health Domain), a volunteer at Interfaith Outreach and Community Partners, and a Commissioner on her local Planning Commission.
Ms. Couri earned her B.S.W. in Social Work from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and J.D. from Loyola University Chicago School of Law.
For more information about the judicial selection process, please visit our website:
https://mn.gov/governor/administration/judicialappointments/
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