Judge Kelly L. Olmstead: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

The Hon. Kelly L. Olmstead is a judge for the 2nd Judicial District Court of Minnesota. She was appointed to the bench by former Governor Mark Dayton on August 6, 2018, filling a vacancy created by the retirement of the Hon. Edward S. Wilson.

Prior to her appointment, Olmstead was an assistant county attorney for the Adult Criminal Division of the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office. During her tenure there, she held assignments in the Special Victims Unit, prosecuting homicide, sexual assault, and felony familial violence cases. Before that, she spent time as a civil trial attorney at Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi.

Olmstead earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota. She then completed a J.D. at Mitchell Hamline School of Law.

After graduating from law school, Olmstead began her legal career as a law clerk to the Hon. Jill Flaskamp Halbrooks of the Minnesota Court of Appeals.

Her memberships have included the Ramsey County Bar Association and the Minnesota Lavender Bar Association. She has also volunteered with Habitat for Humanity.