Associate Justice Theodora Gaïtas sworn in to the Minnesota Supreme Court – InForum

ST. PAUL – Associate Justice Theodora Gaïtas took the oath of office and officially joined the Minnesota Supreme Court on Monday, Sept. 16, during a ceremony in St. Paul.

This means that the highest court in the state will once again be headed by a woman. With her appointment, all seven members of the court will be appointed by the DFL governors. This also ends a period of fluctuation at the court.

Gaïtas – nicknamed Teddy – will replace retiring Associate Justice Margaret Chutich. Chutich resigned at the end of July. Before her appointment to the Supreme Court, Gaïtas was a judge on the Minnesota Court of Appeals. Before that, she worked as a judge in the Fourth Judicial District, where she tried a felony case in the Criminal Division.

Colleagues and friends praised her appointment, saying the new associate judge brings compassion and empathy to the court. They also welcomed the court's new majority of judges who had previously defended people who could not afford a lawyer.

Chief Judge Natalie Hudson said she met Gaïtas when the two worked as adversaries in the Criminal Appellate Division – Hudson in the Attorney General's office and Gaïtas as a public defender in the Appellate Division. Hudson said that background would make her a strong member of the court.

“She understands that behind every case there are real people with real lives, and she is committed to ensuring that every Minnesotan, regardless of their background, receives the justice and dignity they deserve,” Hudson said. “She knows that justice is not a one-size-fits-all proposition. It is a living, breathing promise that we all must fulfill every day.”

Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan also endorsed Gaïtas, saying she has been a trailblazer on the bench. Walz noted that she stood out as a candidate with her response to a question about the personal experiences that shaped her as a judge.

Walz said Gaïtas has been able to cope with the death of her husband, Chris Sur, last year and channel that grief into her work defending the citizens of Minnesota.

“Judge Gaïtas' personal journey, her personal grief, and her commitment to others are expressed in many ways, putting others before herself,” Walz said. “We are all products of our life experience, and the life experience that Judge Gaïtas brought with her is one of compassion, service, intellect and joy, of joy in the work that we do.”

Gaïtas said she was honored to accept the appointment and thanked Minnesota and its legal community for its development. And she invoked her Greek roots to emphasize the state's philia, or love of community.

“This is what your Philia looks like to me,” she told the audience. “Thank you for your kindness and support, and thank you for contributing to the good order we have here in Minnesota. It is an honor to know you and to serve you.”

While judges are in most cases appointed by governors, they must face voters on a regular basis. Their first election is usually held one or two years after they take office, and the seats are then filled every six years.

Three judges will be up for election in November: Chief Justice Natalie Hudson and Associate Justices Anne McKeig and Karl Procaccini. Gaïtas and Associate Justice Sarah Hennesy will not face election until 2026.