Judge Patrick H. Goggins: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

The Hon. Patrick H. Goggins is a judge for the 1st Judicial District Court of Minnesota. He was appointed to the bench by Governor Tim Walz on August 8, 2019, filling a vacancy created by the resignation of the Hon. Martha Simonett.

The First Judicial District includes Carver County, Dakota County, Goodhue County, Le Sueur County, Scott County, and Sibley County.

Prior to his appointment, Goggins was a partner at Wornson Goggins, where he handled personal injury, criminal defense, civil litigation, condemnation, probate, and family law matters in New Prague. Before that, he spent time as an assistant public defender for the 1st Judicial District Public Defender's Office, and a law clerk for the Dakota County Attorney’s Office.

Goggins earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from St. Norbert College in 1995. He then completed a J.D. at William Mitchell College of Law in 2001.

His memberships have included the New Prague Chamber of Commerce, the St. Wenceslaus Grade School Board, and the Eighth District Bar Association.

Goggins was a resident of New Prague, Minnesota, at the time of his appointment. His father, the Hon. Bob Goggins, and his sister, the Hon. Colleen Goggins King, have both served as judges for the 1st Judicial District Court.