Hon. Kathleen R. Gearin (Ret.)

Kathleen R. Gearin served as a judge for twenty-seven years on the Ramsey County District Court, including terms as Chief Judge of the Second Judicial District and Chair of the Minnesota Conference of Chief Judges. Her judicial tenure involved presiding over thousands of cases ranging from complex civil litigation and medical malpractice to high-profile constitutional disputes. Since entering private practice, she has applied her extensive bench experience to private dispute resolution, focusing on neutral evaluation and settlement oversight.

A highly respected former Chief Judge with nearly three decades of judicial experience, she is particularly effective in high-stakes public entity disputes and complex multi-party civil litigation.

She presided over the historic 2011 Minnesota state government shutdown case and the 2010 gubernatorial recount.

She is widely regarded by legal professionals for her decisive yet fair approach to complex litigation. Peers and counsel frequently note her ability to navigate politically sensitive matters and her deep understanding of Minnesota's judicial system.