Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has appointed Morrison County assistant county attorney Laura Welle as a District Court Judge in Minnesota’s Seventh Judicial District, filling a vacancy left by the Honorable Gail T. Kulick. Welle, a graduate of the University of North Dakota School of Law, will be chambered in Milaca in Mille Lacs County, bringing prosecutorial experience and a commitment to public service to the regional bench.
A Deep Legal Background Rooted in Prosecution and Public Service
Laura Welle’s path to the Seventh Judicial District bench spans multiple Minnesota counties and a variety of legal domains. As an assistant county attorney in the Morrison County Attorney’s Office, Welle primarily handles non-drug felony and child protection matters. Prior to her work in Morrison County, she served as an assistant county attorney in both Crow Wing County and Becker County.
Governor Walz highlighted that judicial temperament during the appointment announcement, noting, “Mille Lacs County is gaining a remarkable legal talent in Laura Welle. She is not only fair, balanced, and principled in her approach to the law, but she also manages cases in a way that respects the dignity and interests of all parties.” That ability, according to the Governor’s office, reflects years of experience and compassionate public service.
Welle earned her undergraduate degree from Montana State University before completing her Juris Doctor at the University of North Dakota School of Law. Beyond her daily courtroom responsibilities, she maintains an active presence in her community. Her local involvement includes serving as a site director for the BIO Girls program in Little Falls, acting as treasurer for the Little Falls Dandee Lions Club, and holding the position of vice chair for the Morrison County Employee Association.
Expanding the Seventh Judicial District Bench
Welle’s appointment was announced alongside the appointment of Luke Godzala, a senior attorney in the Civil Division of the Stearns County Attorney’s Office. Godzala will fill the vacancy left by the Honorable William J. Cashman and will be chambered in St. Cloud, replacing a courthouse environment where he previously worked.
Minnesota’s Seventh Judicial District encompasses ten counties: Becker, Benton, Clay, Douglas, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Otter Tail, Stearns, Todd, and Wadena. The addition of both Welle and Godzala brings judicial talent to a district tasked with managing cases across these counties.
Welle transitions from arguing the state’s case in non-drug felonies and child protection dockets to presiding over a courtroom in Milaca, stepping into a vacancy left by Judge Kulick.
The Road Ahead for Mille Lacs County Courts
With her chamber assignment set in Mille Lacs County, Welle will soon take up the mantle of judicial administration, managing dockets that impact families and communities throughout the area. Her background in child protection and felony prosecution provides a practical foundation for the realities of district court workflows.
What qualities do you think matter most when a seasoned prosecutor steps onto the bench for the first time? Share your perspective in the comments below.
