Speaker Name
Hon. Susan Richard Nelson
Job Title
U.S. District Judge
Company
Minnesota District Court
Speaker Bio
Appointed as a United States District Judge by President Barack Obama, Judge Susan Richard Nelson took the oath of office on December 21, 2010. Judge Nelson had previously served the district as a United States Magistrate Judge from 2000 – 2010.
Judge Nelson began her legal career at Reed Smith in Pittsburgh. In 1980, she moved to New Haven, Connecticut and joined the law firm, Tyler, Cooper, Grant, Bowerman & Keefe. In 1983, she relocated to Minnesota and joined the Minneapolis law firm Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi where she enjoyed a 17 year career litigating complex civil matters in state and federal court. From 1994 to 1998, she served on the trial team representing the State of Minnesota and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota in its historic litigation against the tobacco industry.
Judge Nelson has been very active in the bar, having served as President of Minnesota Women Lawyers and for many years, on its Advisory Board. She has also been active in the Minnesota Chapter of the Federal Bar Association, recently serving as President of the Chapter. She served as the Eighth Circuit representative on the Judicial Conference Committee on the Administration of the Magistrate Judges System and currently serves as an Eighth Circuit Director of the Federal Judges Association. She is active in the community and currently serves on the Board of Governors of the University of St Thomas School of Law.
Judge Nelson began her legal career at Reed Smith in Pittsburgh. In 1980, she moved to New Haven, Connecticut and joined the law firm, Tyler, Cooper, Grant, Bowerman & Keefe. In 1983, she relocated to Minnesota and joined the Minneapolis law firm Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi where she enjoyed a 17 year career litigating complex civil matters in state and federal court. From 1994 to 1998, she served on the trial team representing the State of Minnesota and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota in its historic litigation against the tobacco industry.
Judge Nelson has been very active in the bar, having served as President of Minnesota Women Lawyers and for many years, on its Advisory Board. She has also been active in the Minnesota Chapter of the Federal Bar Association, recently serving as President of the Chapter. She served as the Eighth Circuit representative on the Judicial Conference Committee on the Administration of the Magistrate Judges System and currently serves as an Eighth Circuit Director of the Federal Judges Association. She is active in the community and currently serves on the Board of Governors of the University of St Thomas School of Law.
Speaking At
