Gov. Walz names new Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Theodora Gaïtas

Supreme Court Chief Justice Theodora Gaïtas appointed

Minnesota’s newest Supreme Court Chief Justice Theodora Gaïtas speaks after being appointed by Gov. Tim Walz to begin the position on Oct. 1. During the address, Gaïtas expressed gratitude for family and colleagues before expressing the need to collaborate with communities they serve to work together.

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - Two major appointments are set to reshape the Minnesota Supreme Court this fall.

Walz appointments Minnesota Supreme Court

What we know:

Gov. Tim Walz has announced that Theodora Gaïtas will become the next Chief Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court, stepping into the role on Oct. 1, 2026.

Gaïtas has served on the Supreme Court since August 1, 2024, and was previously a member of the Court of Appeals.

Gaïtas graduated from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1994 and has worked in private practice and as an appellate public defender.

Walz outlines Chief Justice pick, challenges ahead

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz details his appointment of Theodora Gaïtas as Minnesota’s next Supreme Court Chief Justice, who will assume the position Oct. 1, 2026. As part of the ceremony, Walz outlined his appreciation for those who have past served, and his decision for the next person for the position, saying they would be leading through a time of "great uncertainty and challenges not seen before."

Dig deeper:

The Supreme Court will also see further changes as Reynaldo Aligada joins the bench.

Gov. Walz named Aligada to fill the Supreme Court vacancy created by Gaïtas’ promotion. Aligada’s background includes serving as First Assistant Federal Defender in Minneapolis, working as an associate attorney at Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi, and clerking at both the United States District Court and the Minnesota Court of Appeals, a press release says.

Aligada, currently a Ramsey County District Court judge, will start his new role on Oct. 1, 2026.

Minnesota Supreme Court appointment endorsement

Minnesota’s outgoing Supreme Court Chief Justice Natalie Hudson speaks on behalf of Gov. Tim Walz’s nomination of Theodora Gaïtas as Minnesota’s next Supreme Court Chief Justice, effective Oct. 1, 2026.

What they're saying:

"Justice Gaitas is an outstanding choice to serve as Minnesota’s next Chief Justice. I have had the privilege of working closely with her on the Supreme Court for the last two years and I have been impressed by her deep knowledge of the law, her commitment to the collaborative work of the court, her unparalleled work ethic, and her willingness to take on additional administrative work without complaint," Outgoing Chief Justice Natalie Hudson said in a statement accompanying the announcement.