Thomas M. Sipkins
Thomas M. Sipkins was a Fourth Judicial District judge for Hennepin County, Minnesota. He was appointed to this position by Governor Tim Pawlenty (R) on January 21, 2009.[1] He was elected to a full term in 2010 and was re-elected in 2016.[2]
Education
Sipkins received his B.A. from Williams College in 1969 and his J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1973.[1]
Career
Sipkins began his legal career in 1973 as a staff attorney for the U.S. Renegotiation Board in Washington, D.C. In 1975, he moved to Minnesota and served as a St. Paul City attorney until 1977. He then worked as a private practice lawyer until his judicial appointment in 2009. During this time, he worked as an attorney and partner of Peterson, Popovich, Knutson and Flynn (1977-1986), an attorney and shareholder of Popham, Haik, Schnobrich, Kaufman and Doty (1986-1996), an attorney and shareholder of Halleland Lewis, Nilan, Sipkins and Johnson (1996-2004), and an attorney and partner of Maslon, Edelman, Borman, and Brand (2004-2009).[1]
Elections
2016
Minnesota held general elections for local judicial offices on November 8, 2016. A primary election occurred on August 9, 2016. The filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was May 31, 2016.[3] Incumbent Thomas M. Sipkins ran unopposed in the Minnesota 4th District, Position 3 general election.[2]
| Minnesota 4th District, Position 3, General Election, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Thomas M. Sipkins Incumbent (unopposed) |
100.00% | 319,737 |
| Total Votes | 319,737 | |
| Source: Minnesota Secretary of State, "Unofficial Results Tuesday, November 8, 2016: Results for All Judicial Races," accessed November 9, 2016 | ||
2010
- See also: Minnesota judicial elections, 2010
Sipkins was re-elected after running unopposed.
Selection method
- See also: Nonpartisan election of judges
Judges of the Minnesota District Courts are all chosen in nonpartisan elections to serve six-year terms. Candidates compete in primaries, from which the top two contestants advance to the general election. Sitting judges must run for re-election if they wish to serve additional terms. While party affiliation is not designated on the ballot, incumbency is. Sitting judges who reach the age of 70 while in office are allowed to serve until the last day of their birthday month.[4]
The chief judge of each district court is selected by peer vote for a two-year term.[4]
Judges of all courts are required to be "learned in the law" and under 70 years old.[4][5]
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Minnesota Judicial Branch, "Judge Thomas M. Sipkins," accessed January 26, 2017
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Minnesota Secretary of State, "2016 State General Election Candidate Filings: Judicial Offices," accessed June 1, 2016
- ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State, "2016 Election Dates," accessed December 7, 2015
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 American Judicature Society, "Methods of Judicial Selection: Minnesota," archived October 2, 2014
- ↑ Office of the Revisor of Statutes, "2006 Minnesota Statutes," accessed July 30, 2014
Federal courts:
Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: District of Minnesota • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: District of Minnesota
State courts:
Minnesota Supreme Court • Minnesota Court of Appeals • Minnesota District Courts • Minnesota Problem-Solving Courts • Minnesota Tax Court • Minnesota Workers' Compensation Court of Appeals
State resources:
Courts in Minnesota • Minnesota judicial elections • Judicial selection in Minnesota
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