Governor Tim Walz has appointed Wesley Abrahamson and Devona Wells as District Court Judges for Minnesota’s Second Judicial District, with both new judges chambered in St. Paul, Ramsey County. Abrahamson will fill the vacancy left by the Honorable Reynaldo A. Aligada, Jr., while Wells will succeed the Honorable Joy D. Bartscher.
Governor Walz commended Abrahamson, a senior attorney in the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office, for his extensive background. “He will bring decades of courtroom experience as both a prosecutor and public defender to this role,” said Governor Walz, adding that Abrahamson will be “a strong and principled force for justice for years to come.” Abrahamson previously worked as a prosecutor in Ramsey and Scott Counties and as an assistant public defender.
Devona Wells, an assistant county attorney in the Civil Division of the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office, was praised by Governor Walz as a “brilliant legal mind who uses her talents as a force for good.” Walz highlighted her “strong civil background and experience handling complex legal issues,” which he believes will make her an excellent judge in Ramsey County. Wells’ experience includes litigating complex civil cases and serving as general counsel for public health and housing stability departments.