FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 15, 2020
Contact: Teddy Tschann
teddy.tschann@state.mn.us
651-402-8841
Governor Tim Walz Appoints Amber Donley to Fill First Judicial District Vacancy
[ST. PAUL, MN] – Today, Governor Tim Walz announced the appointment of Amber Donley as a District Court Judge in Minnesota’s First Judicial District. Ms. Donley’s appointment will fill a vacancy occurring upon the retirement of the Honorable Timothy J. Looby. She will be chambered in Sibley County.
“Amber Donley is active in her community, has proven leadership experience, and has wide-ranging legal experience that will make her successful in this role,” said Governor Walz. “I want to thank Judge Looby for his years of service to our state and am honored to appoint Ms. Donley as his successor.”
“Ms. Donley is both exceptionally qualified and deeply committed to serving her community,” said Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan. “We’re honored to appoint her to the First Judicial District.”
About Amber Donley
Ms. Donley is currently an attorney at Melchert Hubert Sjodin, PLLP. Her practice areas include family law, child protection, and general court-appointed work. Ms. Donley is an Early Neutral Evaluator and a Qualified Neutral/Mediator under Rule 114. Previously, Ms. Donley handled municipal and prosecution matters for various municipalities in Mcleod and Sibley counties. Ms. Donley’s community involvements include serving as the current chair of the McLeod/Sibley Early Case Management and Initial Case Management Conference (ICMC) Steering Committee, a volunteer attorney for Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (SMRLS), a member of the SMRLS fundraising committee, a member and past president of the Eighth District Bar Association, a mock trial attorney coach, and an active member of the Waconia-West Carver Rotary Club.
Ms. Donley received her BA from Concordia College in Moorhead and her JD from William Mitchell College of Law.
For more information about the judicial selection process, please visit our website: https://mn.gov/governor/administration/judicialappointments/