LOCAL

Walz appoints Moehrle, Welte as Seventh Judicial District judges

From Staff Reports

ST. PAUL — Gov. Tim Walz on Monday appointed Laura Moehrle and Nathaniel Welte as judges in Minnesota's Seventh Judicial District. 

Moehrle, a civil trial attorney, shareholder and chief financial officer at Quinlivan & Hughes, will fill the vacancy left by the retirement of Judge Frank Kundrat. 

Welte, an assistant county attorney for the Becker County Attorney’s Office, will fill the vacancy left from the retirement of Judge John Scherer. 

The Seventh Judicial District encompasses Becker, Benton, Clay, Douglas, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Otter Tail, Stearns, Todd and Wadena counties. Both appointments will be chambered in St. Cloud. 

The Seventh Judicial District encompasses Becker, Benton, Clay, Douglas, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Otter Tail, Stearns, Todd and Wadena counties.

Moehrle serves as co-chair of the Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association Health Care Liability Committee and serves on the board of directors of Kids Fighting Hunger. She is active with Central Minnesota Habitat for Humanity and previously coached the mock trial team at Apollo High School. 

She received her undergraduate degree from the University of St. Thomas and her law degree from the University of Minnesota. 

“This position will allow Ms. Moehrle to continue her long history of service to the St. Cloud community,” stated Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan in a release. “We’re honored to appoint her to the Seventh Judicial District vacancy, and are deeply grateful for Judge Kundrat’s years of service to Minnesota.”

MORE: Applications open as two Stearns judges retire

Welte has served in private practice and as part-time assistant public defender for the state of Minnesota. He is an assistant scoutmaster for Perham Boy Scout Troop 321 and previously served as a board member of the New York Mills Cultural Center, president of the New York Mills Lions and member of the Perham Rotary Club.

He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota-Duluth and his law degree from Hamline University School of Law. 

“Welte has demonstrated open-mindedness, compassion and honesty throughout his career,” Walz stated in a release. “I’m grateful for Judge Scherer’s service on the bench and am honored to appoint Mr. Welte to the position.”

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