Judge Marta M. Chou: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

Hon. Marta M. Chou is a judge for the 4th Judicial District Court of Minnesota in Hennepin County. She was appointed to the bench by former Governor Mark Dayton in 2014.

During her judicial tenure, Chou has held assignments in the Criminal Divison and has presided over the Treatment Courts, including the Model Drug Court, DWI Court, and H.O.M.E.S. Court.

Prior to her appointment, she was of counsel in the Litigation Department at Barnes & Thornburg, LLP (2011 to 2014), where she represented businesses and individuals in complex litigation matters. Chou was also a former associate at Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi, LLP (2003 to 2011) and has taught as an adjunct professor at William Mitchell College of Law.

She received a B.A. in international relations (political theory and constitutional democracy) from the honors program of the James Madison College at Michigan State University in 1999. Chou went on to complete a J.D. at the University of Minnesota Law School in 2003.

She was admitted to practice in Minnesota (2003), Wisconsin (2003), the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota, and the United States District Court for the District of Wisconsin.

Her memberships have included the Minnesota State Bar Association, the Hennepin County Bar Association, the Hennepin County Bar Foundation, the Minnesota District Judges Association, and the Minnesota Mother Attorneys Association.

Chou sat as co-chair of the Twin Cities Diversity in Practice Professional Development Committee and chair of the Minnesota State Bar Association Diversity Committee.

She has also been involved with Change the Outcome and the HCBF Board of Directors and was a presenter and facilitator for Continuing Legal Education Programs.