Appointed By: Gov. Arne H. Carlson
Hon. Robert Birnbaum (Ret.) was a judge for the 3rd Judicial District Court of Minnesota in Olmsted County. He was appointed to the bench by former Governor Arne Carlson on January 30, 1988. Birnbaum retired on June 19, 2015, and was subsequently assigned to serve as a statewide senior judge.
The 3rd Judicial District includes Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca, and Winona Counties.
During his judicial tenure, Birnbaum served as Assistant Chief Judge of the 3rd Judicial District (2003 and 2013 to 2015) and was one of the lead judges in Olmsted County for the Minnesota Supreme Court’s Children’s Justice Initiative.
Prior to beginning his judicial career, he handled insurance defense litigation, including working for four years as staff counsel at American Family Insurance (1994 to 1998) and staff counsel at Home Insurance Company (1987 to 1988 and 1990 to 1993) and Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company (1988 to 1990). Birnbaum also spent time in private practice at Howard S. Marker & Associates (1982 to 1987).
He received a B.A. from Colby College (1968) and an M.A. in teaching (1974) and an M.A. in special education from the College of St. Thomas. Birnbaum went on to complete a J.D. at William Mitchell College of Law in 1982.
His memberships have included the Minnesota District Judges Association, the Minnesota State Bar Association, and the Olmsted County Bar Association. Birnbaum also served as a member of the Dodge-Fillmore Olmsted Community Corrections Advisory Board.
He was born in the Bronx, New York, and later moved to New Jersey with his family. Birnbaum served in the United States Army (1969 to 1972). He and his wife, Linda, moved to Rochester, Minnesota, in 1993.
| Current Appointment 3rd Judicial District Court of Minnesota | 3rd Judicial District Court of Minnesota |
| Election/Appointment 2000 - Re-elected 2006 - Re-elected 2012 - Re-elected | 2000 - Re-elected 2006 - Re-elected 2012 - Re-elected |
|
Education
J.D., William Mitchell College of Law - 1982 M.A., College of St. Thomas M.A., College of St. Thomas - 1974 B.A., Colby College - 1968 |
J.D., William Mitchell College of Law - 1982 M.A., College of St. Thomas M.A., College of St. Thomas - 1974 B.A., Colby College - 1968 |
| Current Court: | MN - 3rd Judicial District Court of Minnesota |
|---|
| Role | Employer | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Senior Judge | Minnesota Judicial Branch | None |
| Judge | 3rd Judicial District Court of Minnesota | Olmsted County, Minnesota |
| Staff Counsel | American Family Insurance | None |
| Staff Counsel | Home Insurance Company | None |
| Staff Counsel | Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company | None |
| Staff Counsel | Home Insurance Company | None |
| Attorney | Howard S. Marker & Associates | None |
Minnesota Judicial Branch: Senior Judge Robert Birnbaum
Ballotpedia: Robert Birnbaum
Post Bulletin: Judge, Court Reporter Hit Retirement Together
LinkedIn: Robert Birnbaum
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