Appointed By: Gov. Timothy J. Walz
Hon. Natalie S. Martinez is a judge for the 3rd Judicial District Court of Minnesota in Mower County. She was appointed to the bench by Governor Tim Walz on August 19, 2022, filling the vacancy created by the retirement of the Hon. Kevin A. Lund (Ret.).
The 3rd Judicial District includes Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca, and Winona Counties.
Prior to her appointment, Martinez worked as a part-time public defender (2015 to 2022), a referee for the Mower County Conciliation Court, and a shareholder at the Donnelly Law Office (2015 to 2022). Before joining the firm, she worked as an attorney at Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (2010 to 2015), where she represented victims of domestic abuse in family law matters.
Martinez received a B.A. from St. Olaf College. She went on to complete a J.D. at Hamline University School of Law. Martinez was admitted to practice in Minnesota in 2009.
She was a past president of the Freeborn County Bar Association and the 10th District Bar Association and a member of the Minnesota State Bar Association. Martinez was also involved with the Crime Victim’s Crisis Center Board, the Albert Lea Community Theater (volunteer), the First Luthern Board, and the Parenting Resource Center Board of Directors.
She served as a foster parent in Freeborn County and has an adopted son.
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