Judge Laura M. Thomas: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

Appointed By: Gov. Timothy J. Walz

Biography

Hon. Laura M. Thomas is a judge for the 4th Judicial District Court of Minnesota in Hennepin County. She was appointed to the bench by Governor Tim Walz in 2020, filling the vacancy created by the retirement of the Hon. Ivy S. Bernhardson (Ret.).


Prior to her appointment, Thomas was a Clinical Professor of Law (2007 to 2020) and the Director of Law Clinics (2015 to 2020) at the University of Minnesota Law School. As a Clinical Professor, she was instrumental in designing a lawyering skills program, Law in Practice, and she also co-authored a nationally recognized textbook. In addition, Thomas supervised and mentored student attorneys as they represented less fortunate individuals through the Law Clinic.


Over the course of her legal career, she operated a solo practice for twelve years (2002 to 2014) and was a former associate at Rider Bennett (1999 to 2001) and Hanson Marek Bolkcom & Greene (1997 to 1999).


Thomas received a B.A. in political science from the University of St. Thomas. She went on to complete a J.D. at Loyola University, Chicago School of Law in 1996.


After graduating from law school, Thomas began her legal career as a law clerk to the Hon. Harlan Nelson and the Hon. Thomas Stringer with the Otter Tail County District Court (1996 to 1997).


Her memberships have included the Minnesota State Bar Association and the Hennepin County Bar Association. Thomas also served as a member of the Child Advocacy in Family Court Committee.


She was involved with the Volunteer Lawyers Network, the Block Club (leader), the Minneapolis Uptown Rotary, and the Joyce Food Shelf (volunteer).


Thomas was named Stanley V. Kinyon Clinical Teacher of the Year (2010 and 2018).

Recent Cases by Hon. Laura M. Thomas

On March 15, 2023 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Laura M. Thomas presiding.

Filed

Mar 15, 2023

Judge

Hon. Laura M. Thomas Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Laura M. Thomas

Court

Hennepin County

County

Hennepin County, MN

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 06, 2023

On March 15, 2023 a custody case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Thomas, Laura presiding.

Filed

Mar 15, 2023

Judge

Hon. Thomas, Laura Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Thomas, Laura

Court

Hennepin County

County

Hennepin County, MN

Category

Custody

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Custody,Visitation

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 11, 2023

On March 10, 2023 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Laura M. Thomas presiding.

Filed

Mar 10, 2023

Judge

Hon. Laura M. Thomas Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Laura M. Thomas

Court

Hennepin County

County

Hennepin County, MN

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 24, 2023

On March 7, 2023 a paternity case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Thomas, Laura Marie presiding.

7 Files
Filed

Mar 07, 2023

Status

Other

Judge

Hon. Thomas, Laura Marie Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Thomas, Laura Marie

Court

Hennepin County

County

Hennepin County, MN

Category

Paternity

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Paternity

Case Last Refreshed

Nov 05, 2023

On March 7, 2023 a custody case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Thomas, Laura presiding.

7 Files
Filed

Mar 07, 2023

Judge

Hon. Thomas, Laura Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Thomas, Laura

Court

Hennepin County

County

Hennepin County, MN

Category

Custody

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Custody,Visitation

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 24, 2023

On March 5, 2023 a dissolution with child case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Thomas, Laura presiding.

6 Files
Filed

Mar 05, 2023

Status

Judgment (Other)

Judge

Hon. Thomas, Laura Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Thomas, Laura

Court

Hennepin County

County

Hennepin County, MN

Category

Dissolution with Child

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 24, 2023

On March 4, 2023 a dissolution with child case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Thomas, Laura presiding.

Filed

Mar 04, 2023

Judge

Hon. Thomas, Laura Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Thomas, Laura

Court

Hennepin County

County

Hennepin County, MN

Category

Dissolution with Child

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 21, 2023

On February 28, 2023 a custody case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Thomas, Laura presiding.

Filed

Feb 28, 2023

Judge

Hon. Thomas, Laura Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Thomas, Laura

Court

Hennepin County

County

Hennepin County, MN

Category

Custody

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Custody,Visitation

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 10, 2023

On February 17, 2023 a dissolution without child case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Thomas, Laura presiding.

Filed

Feb 17, 2023

Judge

Hon. Thomas, Laura Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Thomas, Laura

Court

Hennepin County

County

Hennepin County, MN

Category

Dissolution without Child

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 17, 2023

On February 16, 2023 a dissolution without child case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Thomas, Laura Marie presiding.

Filed

Feb 16, 2023

Judge

Hon. Thomas, Laura Marie Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Thomas, Laura Marie

Court

Hennepin County

County

Hennepin County, MN

Category

Dissolution without Child

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 08, 2023

On February 10, 2023 a dissolution without child case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Thomas, Laura presiding.

5 Files
Filed

Feb 10, 2023

Status

Other

Judge

Hon. Thomas, Laura Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Thomas, Laura

Court

Hennepin County

County

Hennepin County, MN

Category

Dissolution without Child

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 31, 2023

On February 8, 2023 a dissolution with child case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Thomas, Laura presiding.

Filed

Feb 08, 2023

Judge

Hon. Thomas, Laura Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Thomas, Laura

Court

Hennepin County

County

Hennepin County, MN

Category

Dissolution with Child

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 16, 2023

On February 4, 2023 a dissolution with child case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Thomas, Laura presiding.

Filed

Feb 04, 2023

Judge

Hon. Thomas, Laura Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Thomas, Laura

Court

Hennepin County

County

Hennepin County, MN

Category

Dissolution with Child

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 10, 2023

On January 31, 2023 a dissolution with child case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Thomas, Laura Marie presiding.

5 Files
Filed

Jan 31, 2023

Status

Judgment (Other)

Judge

Hon. Thomas, Laura Marie Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Thomas, Laura Marie

Court

Hennepin County

County

Hennepin County, MN

Category

Dissolution with Child

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 23, 2023

On January 30, 2023 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Laura M. Thomas presiding.

Filed

Jan 30, 2023

Judge

Hon. Laura M. Thomas Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Laura M. Thomas

Court

Hennepin County

County

Hennepin County, MN

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 24, 2023

On January 30, 2023 a dissolution with child case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Thomas, Laura presiding.

Filed

Jan 30, 2023

Judge

Hon. Thomas, Laura Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Thomas, Laura

Court

Hennepin County

County

Hennepin County, MN

Category

Dissolution with Child

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 15, 2023

On January 25, 2023 a custody case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Thomas, Laura presiding.

Filed

Jan 25, 2023

Judge

Hon. Thomas, Laura Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Thomas, Laura

Court

Hennepin County

County

Hennepin County, MN

Category

Custody

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Custody,Visitation

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 21, 2023

On January 23, 2023 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Laura M. Thomas presiding.

Filed

Jan 23, 2023

Judge

Hon. Laura M. Thomas Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Laura M. Thomas

Court

Hennepin County

County

Hennepin County, MN

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 13, 2023

On January 21, 2023 a dissolution without child case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Thomas, Laura presiding.

Filed

Jan 21, 2023

Judge

Hon. Thomas, Laura Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Thomas, Laura

Court

Hennepin County

County

Hennepin County, MN

Category

Dissolution without Child

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 25, 2023

On January 20, 2023 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Laura M. Thomas presiding.

Filed

Jan 20, 2023

Status

Other

Judge

Hon. Laura M. Thomas Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Laura M. Thomas

Court

Hennepin County

County

Hennepin County, MN

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 13, 2023

On January 17, 2023 a paternity case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Thomas, Laura presiding.

Filed

Jan 17, 2023

Status

Other

Judge

Hon. Thomas, Laura Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Thomas, Laura

Court

Hennepin County

County

Hennepin County, MN

Category

Paternity

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Paternity

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 08, 2023

On January 13, 2023 a dissolution without child case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Thomas, Laura presiding.

Filed

Jan 13, 2023

Judge

Hon. Thomas, Laura Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Thomas, Laura

Court

Hennepin County

County

Hennepin County, MN

Category

Dissolution without Child

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 05, 2023

On January 13, 2023 a dissolution without child case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Thomas, Laura presiding.

3 Files
Filed

Jan 13, 2023

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. Thomas, Laura Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Thomas, Laura

Court

Hennepin County

County

Hennepin County, MN

Category

Dissolution without Child

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 23, 2023

On January 9, 2023 a custody case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Thomas, Laura Marie presiding.

Filed

Jan 09, 2023

Judge

Hon. Thomas, Laura Marie Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Thomas, Laura Marie

Court

Hennepin County

County

Hennepin County, MN

Category

Custody

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Custody,Visitation

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 19, 2023

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