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DULUTH – Bhupesh Pattni will be the next Hibbing-based judge in the Sixth Judicial District, Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan announced Thursday.

"Mr. Pattni has a wealth of experience, a sense of duty and a deep commitment to his community," Walz said in a statement. "His skills and wisdom will serve him well in his judicial career."

Pattni, 40, is an attorney at Trenti Law Firm and with the Sixth District Public Defender's Office. He was born and raised in northern Minnesota and graduated from Virginia High School before receiving a bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin and his law degree from William Mitchell College of Law.

"It has been a big part of my upbringing and motivation to work in the community and use my skills, abilities and discipline in any way to help the community," Pattni said in an interview.

He is the first person of East Indian descent to be a judge on the Iron Range and replaces retiring Judge Mark M. Starr.

"In a lot of ways, it's a privilege to help diversify the judiciary and the bench," Pattni said. "Having people come through the court system of all different backgrounds and experiences — the fact that I can use my background and experiences and skills in this role is exciting."

Pattni is part of the Iron Range Mental Health Treatment Court and is involved in a number of legal groups, including the Equal Justice Initiative, Range Bar Association and Range Bar Ethics Committee. He said the local legal community encouraged him to apply for the opening on the bench.

"The other [Iron Range] judges are fairly new, and are bringing new ideas and energy," Pattni said. "Joining them on the bench is really exciting, because we're trying to solve problems in new and creative ways and making sure we have compassionate and caring judges."

A date for his swearing-in has not been set. The Sixth Judicial District comprises six courthouses in St. Louis, Carlton, Lake and Cook counties in northeastern Minnesota.

Brooks Johnson • 218-491-6496