Hon. Michelle A. Dietrich is a judge for the 5th Judicial District Court of Minnesota in Lyon County. She was appointed to the bench by former Governor Tim Pawlenty on August 15, 2008, filling the vacancy created by the retirement of the Hon. George I. Harrelson (Ret.).
The 5th Judicial District includes Blue Earth, Brown, Cottonwood, Faribault, Jackson, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Rock, and Watonwan Counties. During her judicial tenure, Dietrich has also presided in Lincoln County.
Prior to her appointment, she was the County Attorney in Redwood County, having served in that capacity since 1997. Dietrich first joined the office as an assistant county attorney in 1995.
She received a B.A. from the Central University of Iowa in 1991. Dietrich went on to complete a J.D. at Hamline University School of Law in 1994.
After graduating from law school, she began her legal career as a law clerk with the 9th Judicial District in both Bemidji and Clearwater (1994 to 1995).
Her memberships have included the Minnesota County Attorneys Association, the National District Attorneys Association, the American Bar Association, the Minnesota State Bar Association, and the Redwood County Bar Association.
Dietrich also served on the Minnesota Family Support and Recovery Council, taught Peace Officer Standards and training courses, was a mock trial judge, and sat as a member of the Redwood County Jail Committee, Law Library Committee, Sentenced to Service Committee, Child Protection Team, and the Children’s Justice Initiative.
She was born in Emmetsburg, Iowa. At the time of her appointment, Dietrich resided in Redwood Falls.