Walz appoints Bea, Blissenbach and Cahill to 4th District bench

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In Brief

• Gov. Tim Walz appointed three new district court judges in Minnesota’s Fourth Judicial District.
• Theresa Bea, Nicole Blissenbach and Sean Cahill will serve in Hennepin County.
• Appointees bring experience in family law, labor law, prosecution and public defense.
• All three judges replace retiring or departing judges in key judicial seats.

Gov. Tim Walz has appointed Theresa Bea, Nicole Blissenbach, and Sean Cahill as district court judges in Minnesota’s 4th Judicial District. These seats will be chambered in Minneapolis in Hennepin County.

Theresa Bea will replace Judge Laurie J. Miller.

“Theresa Bea is going to be an outstanding judge,” Walz said in a news release June 12. “Family and juvenile cases are among the most challenging matters a court must address, and her deep expertise in these areas of the law will help ensure that families and our youth receive thoughtful and compassionate justice as they navigate challenging moments in their lives.”

Nicole Blissenbach will replace Judge Bev Benson.

“Nicole Blissenbach brings a rare blend of executive leadership and deep legal intellect to this role,” Walz said. “She has not only served as the final decision-maker in matters affecting numerous regulated industries, but has also spent decades in the trenches working to ensure that the law is applied fairly to workers across the state”

Sean Cahill will replace Judge Edward T. Wahl.

“Sean Cahill brings experience from every corner of the Hennepin County justice system,” said Walz. “Not only has he been a thoughtful and fair prosecutor, but his extensive experience as a public defender has also given him a balanced perspective that will benefit all who appear before him. He will be great.”

Minnesota’s Fourth Judicial District encompasses Hennepin County.

About Theresa Bea

Theresa Bea is a shareholder at Messerli & Kramer, P.A., where she practices family and juvenile law. She represents clients in matters involving dissolution of marriage, child custody, paternity, third-party custody, orders for protection, child protection, termination of parental rights, adoption, at-risk juvenile guardianship, and obtaining parentage rights in assisted reproductive technology services matters. She was previously a law clerk for Judge Jeannice M. Reding in Minnesota’s 4th Judicial District.

Bea’s community involvement includes serving on the board of the Minnesota Twins Community Fund and the Messerli & Kramer Foundation, and volunteering with the 4th District Ethics Committee. She has also provided pro bono representation for the Volunteer Lawyers Network and the Ramsey County Family Court Limited Scope Program.

She earned her B.B.A. from the University of Notre Dame and her J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School.

About Nicole Blissenbach

Nicole Blissenbach serves as the commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, where she leads the state agency responsible for the administration and enforcement of Minnesota laws and regulations governing workplace safety and health, labor standards, workers’ compensation, apprenticeship, and construction codes and licensing. Prior to her appointment, she held numerous leadership roles within DLI, including assistant commissioner and deputy commissioner. She also previously worked as an attorney at Education Minnesota and at the law firm of Miller O’Brien Cummins, PLLP, where she practiced labor and employment law.

Blissenbach’s community involvement includes serving on numerous boards and councils, as well as volunteering with her children’s school.

She earned her B.A. from the University of Minnesota-Morris and her J.D from the University of Minnesota Law School.

About Sean Cahill

Sean Cahill is a senior assistant county attorney in the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office. His practice areas have included adult felony prosecution, appellate practice, juvenile delinquency prosecution, child protection representation, and postconviction litigation. Cahill previously served as an assistant public defender in Hennepin County.

His community involvement includes serving as a member of the Minnesota Rules of Evidence Advisory Committee, an adjunct law professor for the University of St. Thomas School of Law and Mitchell Hamline School of Law, and the vice chair of the City of Minneapolis Zoning Board of Adjustment. He also volunteers with the American Mock Trial Association, the McGee Moot Court Competition, and his children’s schools.

He earned his B.A. from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, his M.A. from Marquette University, and his J.D. from the University of St. Thomas Law School.