ST. PAUL, MN - Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan today announced the appointments of Michael Leeser and Ole Tvedten as District Court Judges in Minnesota’s Seventh Judicial District. Leeser will replace the Honorable Greta M. Smolnisky and will be chambered in Moorhead in Clay County and Tvedten will replace the Honorable Sarah E. Hennesy and be chambered in St. Cloud in Stearns County.

“I am honored to appoint Michael Leeser to the Clay County bench,” said Governor Walz. “The determination and leadership that he has demonstrated throughout his career gives me confidence that he is the right person for this position.”

“I applaud the appointment of Michael Leeser,”said Lieutenant Governor Flanagan. “His forward-thinking attitude and deep understanding of our justice system will enrich the Seventh Judicial District and the people it serves.”

“It is my privilege to appoint Ole Tvedten to the Stearns County bench,” said Governor Walz. “Much like the person he is replacing, Justice Sarah Hennesy, he will bring a practical and compassionate approach to this role. I look forward to seeing all the great work he will accomplish as Judge Tvedten.”

“Ole Tvedten will be a remarkable judge,”said Lieutenant Governor Flanagan. “He is a lifelong public servant who is grounded in community and cares deeply about doing right for the people of Stearns County. He will work every day to strike the delicate balance of justice and mercy in every case he touches.”

Minnesota’s Seventh Judicial District consists of Becker, Benton, Clay, Douglas, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Otter Tail, Stearns, Todd, and Wadena counties.

About Michael Leeser
Michael Leeser is an assistant county attorney in the Clay County Attorney’s Office, where he prosecutes adult criminal and juvenile cases. He is a member of the Clay County Drug Court and Clay County Veterans Court teams. Leeser was previously an attorney with Lies, Bullis & Hatting and an assistant city attorney for the Wahpeton City Attorney’s Office in North Dakota. He was also an adjunct professor at Minnesota State University Moorhead. Leeser’s community involvement includes serving as vice president of the Clay County Bar Association and as a board member of the Moorhead Economic Development Authority. He earned his B.A. from Utah Valley University and his J.D. from the University of North Dakota School of Law.

About Ole Tvedten
Ole Tvedten is the head of the Criminal Division of the Stearns County Attorney’s Office. He was previously an assistant county attorney in the Stearns County Attorney’s Office, where he was a trial prosecutor and appellate attorney. Tvedten’s community involvement includes serving on the Stearns County Opioid Community Advisory Committee, the Minnesota County Attorney Association’s Appellate Advisory Committee and Trial School, the Stearns County Domestic Violence Partnership, the Central Minnesota Human Trafficking Multi-Disciplinary Team, and the Stearns County Substance Abuse Court Steering Committee. He also volunteers with Project Connect, judges mock trial, and coaches girls youth sports. Tvedten earned his B.A. and J.D. from the University of Minnesota.

For more information about the judicial selection process, please visit the Governor’s Judicial Appointments webpage.