Judge Melissa J. Houghtaling: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

4th Judicial District Court of Minnesota,

Appointed By: Gov. Timothy J. Walz

Biography

Hon. Melissa J. Houghtaling 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 2022, filling the vacancy created by the retirement of the Hon. Regina M. Chu (Ret.).

Prior to her appointment, Houghtaling was a district court referee in the Civil and Criminal Division of the 4th Judicial District Court (2018 to 2022). As such, she was tasked with presiding over housing, harassment, and petty misdemeanor cases. Before that, Houghtaling served as a human services judge for the Minnesota Department of Human Services (2017) and was a conciliation court referee for the 4th Judicial District Court (2015 to 2017) and the 2nd Judicial District Court (2015 to 2017).

She also spent time as a law clerk to the Hon. Bradford Delapena, the Hon. Joanne Turner, and the Hon. Thomas Haluska with the Minnesota Tax Court (2016 to 2017) and was a family law attorney at the Houghtaling Family Law Office, P.A. (2016); a shareholder and attorney at Heltzer & Houghtaling, P.A. (2010 to 2015); and an attorney at Heltzer & Burg, PLC (2007 to 2010).

Houghtaling taught as an adjunct professor at Mitchell Hamline School of Law, Hamline University, and Inver Hills Community College.

She received a B.A. in sociology, women’s studies, and religion from Hamline University in 2002. Houghtaling went on to complete a J.D. at Mitchell Hamline School of Law in 2007.

Her memberships have included the Minnesota State Bar Association (Legislative Committee), the Minnesota Lavender Bar Association (past chair and board member), the Ramsey County Bar Association (Family Law Section co-chair), the Minnesota Women Lawyers, and the National LGBT Bar Association.

Houghtaling has also been involved with the St. Paul Civilian Police Academy, the St. Paul Human Rights and Equal Economic Opportunity Commission (chair), Volunteer Lawyers Network, and the MSBA High School Mock Trial Program.

Recent Cases by Hon. Melissa J. Houghtaling

2525 Harriett LLC vs Raj Dosasan

On September 8, 2022 an eviction (ud) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Melissa J. Houghtaling presiding.

7 Files

Filed

Sep 08, 2022

Judge

Hon. Melissa J. Houghtaling 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Melissa J. Houghtaling

Court

Hennepin County

County

Hennepin County, MN

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Eviction (UD)

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Landlord-Tenant

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 20, 2022

Brenda Nolen vs Plymouth Stevens House LP

On September 6, 2022 a rent escrow case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Melissa J. Houghtaling presiding.

4 Files

Filed

Sep 06, 2022

Judge

Hon. Melissa J. Houghtaling 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Melissa J. Houghtaling

Court

Hennepin County

County

Hennepin County, MN

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Rent Escrow

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Landlord-Tenant

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 21, 2022

Tevia Tenille Tyson vs Lake Pointe

On September 2, 2022 a rent escrow case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Melissa J. Houghtaling presiding.

3 Files

Filed

Sep 02, 2022

Judge

Hon. Melissa J. Houghtaling 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Melissa J. Houghtaling

Court

Hennepin County

County

Hennepin County, MN

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Rent Escrow

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Landlord-Tenant

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 15, 2022

Layania L. Patton vs Windsor Gates

On September 2, 2022 a rent escrow case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Melissa J. Houghtaling presiding.

5 Files

Filed

Sep 02, 2022

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. Melissa J. Houghtaling 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Melissa J. Houghtaling

Court

Hennepin County

County

Hennepin County, MN

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Rent Escrow

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Landlord-Tenant

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 21, 2022

Little Earth of United Tribes Housing Corporation vs Marissa Graves, John Doe, Jane Doe

On August 31, 2022 an eviction (ud) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Melissa J. Houghtaling presiding.

6 Files

Filed

Aug 31, 2022

Judge

Hon. Melissa J. Houghtaling 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Melissa J. Houghtaling

Court

Hennepin County

County

Hennepin County, MN

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Eviction (UD)

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Landlord-Tenant

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 07, 2022

Lesly Amador, Lesly S Castillo A vs Jeison Doe

On August 30, 2022 a rent escrow case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Melissa J. Houghtaling presiding.

5 Files

Filed

Aug 30, 2022

Judge

Hon. Melissa J. Houghtaling 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Melissa J. Houghtaling

Court

Hennepin County

County

Hennepin County, MN

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Rent Escrow

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Landlord-Tenant

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 16, 2022

Kristina Joell Halvorsen vs Jan Peterson

On August 29, 2022 a rent escrow case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Melissa J. Houghtaling presiding.

3 Files

Filed

Aug 29, 2022

Judge

Hon. Melissa J. Houghtaling 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Melissa J. Houghtaling

Court

Hennepin County

County

Hennepin County, MN

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Rent Escrow

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Landlord-Tenant

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 28, 2022

HBC Acquisitions, LLC vs Bright Minds Child Care Center, Inc.

On August 26, 2022 a civil other/misc. case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Melissa J. Houghtaling presiding.

19 Files

Filed

Aug 26, 2022

Judge

Hon. Melissa J. Houghtaling 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Melissa J. Houghtaling

Court

Hennepin County

County

Hennepin County, MN

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Civil Other/Misc.

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 26, 2023

ANISSA DENT vs Ray Scherbing, CINDY SCHERBING

On August 25, 2022 a rent escrow case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Melissa J. Houghtaling presiding.

8 Files

Filed

Aug 25, 2022

Status

Judgment (Other)

Judge

Hon. Melissa J. Houghtaling 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Melissa J. Houghtaling

Court

Hennepin County

County

Hennepin County, MN

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Rent Escrow

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Landlord-Tenant

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 27, 2023

CRAIG JANSSEN vs Courtney Montour

On August 11, 2022 an eviction (ud) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Melissa J. Houghtaling presiding.

7 Files

Filed

Aug 11, 2022

Judge

Hon. Melissa J. Houghtaling 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Melissa J. Houghtaling

Court

Hennepin County

County

Hennepin County, MN

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Eviction (UD)

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Landlord-Tenant

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 19, 2022

Sela Investments Ltd LLP vs TaShawn Jamal Blount, Lacey Denise Smith, Shutavia Renee Rodgers, Jeffrey Joseph Novak, Alyssa Zaria Van Wagner, John Doe, Jane Doe

On August 4, 2022 an eviction (ud) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Melissa J. Houghtaling presiding.

13 Files

Filed

Aug 04, 2022

Status

Judgment (Other)

Judge

Hon. Melissa J. Houghtaling 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Melissa J. Houghtaling

Court

Hennepin County

County

Hennepin County, MN

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Eviction (UD)

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Landlord-Tenant

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 13, 2022

Tyrone Murphy vs Aeon, Steven Scott Management Inc., Kings Manor

On August 3, 2022 a civil other/misc. case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Melissa J. Houghtaling presiding.

9 Files

Filed

Aug 03, 2022

Judge

Hon. Melissa J. Houghtaling 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Melissa J. Houghtaling

Court

Hennepin County

County

Hennepin County, MN

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Civil Other/Misc.

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 02, 2022

City of Minneapolis vs Ashraf LLC, Hussain Khan

On August 2, 2022 a civil other/misc. case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Melissa J. Houghtaling presiding.

5 Files

Filed

Aug 02, 2022

Judge

Hon. Melissa J. Houghtaling 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Melissa J. Houghtaling

Court

Hennepin County

County

Hennepin County, MN

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Civil Other/Misc.

Case Last Refreshed

Nov 09, 2022

KAYLA MAE BRABANT vs Ali Sajjad

On July 21, 2022 a rent escrow case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Melissa J. Houghtaling presiding.

3 Files

Filed

Jul 21, 2022

Judge

Hon. Melissa J. Houghtaling 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Melissa J. Houghtaling

Court

Hennepin County

County

Hennepin County, MN

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Rent Escrow

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Landlord-Tenant

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 01, 2022

RICHARD WRIGHT vs Michelle Johnson Merlin

On July 21, 2022 an eviction (ud) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Melissa J. Houghtaling presiding.

15 Files

Filed

Jul 21, 2022

Judge

Hon. Melissa J. Houghtaling 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Melissa J. Houghtaling

Court

Hennepin County

County

Hennepin County, MN

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Eviction (UD)

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Landlord-Tenant

Case Last Refreshed

Nov 03, 2023

Ethel Mae Reed vs WINNETKA WEST/Commonbond

On July 21, 2022 a rent escrow case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Melissa J. Houghtaling presiding.

9 Files

Filed

Jul 21, 2022

Judge

Hon. Melissa J. Houghtaling 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Melissa J. Houghtaling

Court

Hennepin County

County

Hennepin County, MN

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Rent Escrow

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Landlord-Tenant

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 28, 2023

LaPassiona Sharrise Lorraine Nelson vs HALVERSON BLAISER GROUP

On July 20, 2022 a rent escrow case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Melissa J. Houghtaling presiding.

4 Files

Filed

Jul 20, 2022

Judge

Hon. Melissa J. Houghtaling 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Melissa J. Houghtaling

Court

Hennepin County

County

Hennepin County, MN

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Rent Escrow

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Landlord-Tenant

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 04, 2022

Terrence J. Young vs Aeon Properties, Huntington Place, Alan Arthur, Jim Dudley

On July 20, 2022 a rent escrow case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Melissa J. Houghtaling presiding.

11 Files

Filed

Jul 20, 2022

Judge

Hon. Melissa J. Houghtaling 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Melissa J. Houghtaling

Court

Hennepin County

County

Hennepin County, MN

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Rent Escrow

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Landlord-Tenant

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 29, 2022

Urban Neighborhood Loring Park I LLC vs Jane Doe

On July 19, 2022 an eviction (ud) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Melissa J. Houghtaling presiding.

7 Files

Filed

Jul 19, 2022

Status

Settlement

Judge

Hon. Melissa J. Houghtaling 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Melissa J. Houghtaling

Court

Hennepin County

County

Hennepin County, MN

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Eviction (UD)

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Landlord-Tenant

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 02, 2022

Concierge Apartments Property Owner LLC vs JaWan Brown, John Doe, Jane Doe

On July 19, 2022 an eviction (ud) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Melissa J. Houghtaling presiding.

14 Files

Filed

Jul 19, 2022

Status

Settlement

Judge

Hon. Melissa J. Houghtaling 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Melissa J. Houghtaling

Court

Hennepin County

County

Hennepin County, MN

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Eviction (UD)

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Landlord-Tenant

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 20, 2023

Rosewater LLC vs Haley Watson

On July 19, 2022 an eviction (ud) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Melissa J. Houghtaling presiding.

6 Files

Filed

Jul 19, 2022

Judge

Hon. Melissa J. Houghtaling 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Melissa J. Houghtaling

Court

Hennepin County

County

Hennepin County, MN

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Eviction (UD)

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Landlord-Tenant

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 25, 2022

SW Countryside LLC vs Michelle Petrusson, John Doe, Mary Roe

On July 18, 2022 an eviction (ud) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Melissa J. Houghtaling presiding.

7 Files

Filed

Jul 18, 2022

Status

Settlement

Judge

Hon. Melissa J. Houghtaling 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Melissa J. Houghtaling

Court

Hennepin County

County

Hennepin County, MN

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Eviction (UD)

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Landlord-Tenant

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 14, 2022

Jose A Esqueda, Carlos A LaMar vs Sheldon H Otte

On July 14, 2022 a civil other/misc. case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Melissa J. Houghtaling presiding.

10 Files

Filed

Jul 14, 2022

Judge

Hon. Melissa J. Houghtaling 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Melissa J. Houghtaling

Court

Hennepin County

County

Hennepin County, MN

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Civil Other/Misc.

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 25, 2023

Heritage/France Avenue LLLP dba Heritage Hills Apartments vs Enrique Godina, Juana Godina, John Doe, Jane Doe

On July 12, 2022 an eviction (ud) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Melissa J. Houghtaling presiding.

18 Files

Filed

Jul 12, 2022

Status

Judgment (Other)

Judge

Hon. Melissa J. Houghtaling 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Melissa J. Houghtaling

Court

Hennepin County

County

Hennepin County, MN

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Eviction (UD)

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Landlord-Tenant

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 20, 2023

About

Melissa J. Houghtaling
Current Appointment 4th Judicial District Court of Minnesota	4th Judicial District Court of Minnesota
Education J.D., Mitchell Hamline School of Law - 2007 B.A., Hamline University - 2002	J.D., Mitchell Hamline School of Law - 2007 B.A., Hamline University - 2002

Documents related to Melissa J. Houghtaling

Court Info

Court Info
Current Court:	MN - 4th Judicial District Court of Minnesota
Clerk phone:	+1 (612) 543-4985
Chambers:	+1 (612) 543-4962

Career History

Career History
Role	Employer	Where
Judge	4th Judicial District Court of Minnesota	Hennepin County, Minnesota
District Court Referee	4th Judicial District Court of Minnesota	Hennepin County, Minnesota
Human Services Judge	Minnesota Department of Human Services	None
Law Clerk	Minnesota Tax Court	None
Attorney	Houghtaling Family Law Office, P.A.	Hennepin County, Minnesota
Conciliation Court Referee	4th Judicial District Court of Minnesota	Hennepin County, Minnesota
Conciliation Court Referee	2nd Judicial Circuit Court of Minnesota	Ramsey County, Minnesota
Shareholder and Attorney	Heltzer & Houghtaling, P.A.	Ramsey County, Minnesota
Attorney	Heltzer & Burg, PLC	Hennepin County, Minnesota