Judge Patrick W. Flanagan: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

Hon. Patrick W. Flanagan is a judge for the 10th Judicial District Court of Minnesota in Pine County. He was appointed to the bench by former Governor Mark Dayton on February 21, 2018, filling the vacancy created by the retirement of the Hon. Sharon Hall (Ret.).

The 10th Judicial District includes Anoka, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Pine, Sherburne, Washington, and Wright Counties.

Prior to his appointment, Flanagan operated his own private practice, the Flanagan Law Office, and served as a part-time public defender for the State Public Defender’s Office (2006 to 2018). His areas of practice included criminal defense, family law, and civil matters.

Before opening his law firm, he was the County Attorney for the Mower County Attorney’s Office, a position to which he was elected in 2003. Flanagan first joined the office as an assistant county attorney in 2001.

He became a prosecutor after spending five years as a sole practitioner (1996 to 2001). Flanagan also spent time as the branch manager for Custard Insurance Adjusters (1995 to 1996) and an associate at Heuer & Vandelist (1993 to 1995).

He received a B.S. in history and philosophy from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in 1990. Flanagan went on to complete a J.D. at William Mitchell College of Law in 1993.

He was an appointed member of the Federal Criminal Justice Act Panel, where he was tasked with representing indigent clients in Federal Court.

Flanagan taught criminal justice as an instructor for the University of Phoenix Master’s Program.

He has served as a coach for six-grade football and basketball in Mounds View.