Appointed By: Gov. Mark B. Dayton
Hon. Robert A. Docherty is a judge for the 5th Judicial District Court of Minnesota in Brown County. He was appointed to the bench by former Governor Mark Dayton on August 17, 2012, filling the vacancy created by the appointment of the Hon. John R. Rodenberg (Ret.) to the Minnesota Court of Appeals.
The 5th Judicial District includes Blue Earth, Brown, Cottonwood, Faribault, Jackson, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Rock, and Watonwan Counties.
Prior to his appointment, Docherty was a managing attorney for the Office of the Public Defender for the 5th Judicial District. He first joined the office as an assistant public defender.
Docherty also spent time in private practice as an attorney at Somsen, Schade & Franta in New Ulm and was a former staff attorney for the Minnesota Court of Appeals.
He received a B.A. in English from Creighton University in 1983. Docherty went on to complete a J.D. at William Mitchell College of Law in 1987.
He sat as co-chair of the New Ulm Human Rights Commission and was on the Board of Deacons at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church.
Docherty was also a volunteer mock trial coach and judge for New Ulm High School.
| Current Appointment 5th Judicial District Court of Minnesota | 5th Judicial District Court of Minnesota |
| Election/Appointment 2014 - Re-elected 2020 - Re-elected | 2014 - Re-elected 2020 - Re-elected |
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Education
J.D., William Mitchell College of Law - 1987 B.A., Creighton University - 1983 |
J.D., William Mitchell College of Law - 1987 B.A., Creighton University - 1983 |
| Current Court: | MN - 5th Judicial District Court of Minnesota |
|---|---|
| Clerk phone: | +1 (507) 441-7020 |
| Role | Employer | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Judge | 5th Judicial District Court of Minnesota | Brown County, Minnesota |
| Managing Attorney | Office of the Public Defender for the 5th Judicial District | None |
| Assistant Public Defender | Office of the Public Defender for the 5th Judicial District | None |
| Attorney | Somsen, Schade & Franta | Brown County, Minnesota |
| Staff Attorney | Minnesota Court of Appeals | None |
Minnesota Judicial Branch: Judge Robert A. Docherty
Ballotpedia: Robert A. Docherty
Martindale: Robert Aidan Docherty
The Globe: New Fifth Judicial District Judge Appointed
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