New chief, associate Minnesota Supreme Court justices sworn in during historic ceremony

By KSTP

New Chief Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court Natalie Hudson takes the oath of office during an investiture ceremony on Nov. 27, 2023. (KSTP-TV)

The Minnesota Supreme Court officially swore in its new chief justice and newest associate justice Monday afternoon in a ceremony that marked two firsts for the state.

During the ceremony, Natalie Hudson took the oath of office to become the court’s chief justice, making her the first person of color to hold the position. She takes over the role from Lorie Gildea, the third-longest-serving chief justice in state history who stepped down from the court on Oct. 1.

Hudson has served on the state’s highest court since October 2015 after over a decade on the Minnesota Court of Appeals and prior work as an attorney for the city of St. Paul and the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office.

Additionally, Karl Procaccini was sworn in as an associate justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court, which made him the first Muslim to sit on the court.

Procaccini teaches at the University of St. Thomas School of Law and previously served as general counsel for Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan. He’s also taught at William Mitchell College of Law and worked as a partner at Greene Espel PLLP.

The ceremony also featured several speakers and special performances. It can be viewed in full in the YouTube player above.