Filipino American judge appointed to Minnesota Supreme Court 

Reynaldo “Reggie” Aligada Jr.

Judge Reynaldo “Reggie” Aligada Jr. has been appointed to the Minnesota Supreme Court, becoming the first Asian American justice in the court’s history.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz named Aligada to an associate justice seat that will open when Justice Theodora Gaïtas becomes chief justice. Gaïtas is set to succeed Chief Justice Natalie Hudson, who is retiring in September. The Minnesota Judicial Branch said Aligada will assume his new role on Oct. 1.

Before becoming a judge, Aligada worked in the Office of the Federal Defender in Minneapolis, first as an assistant federal defender and later as first assistant federal defender. 

The Minnesota Asian Pacific American Bar Association called the appointment a historic moment for the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander legal community.