About Justice Sarah Hennesy

Justice Sarah Hennesy has served on the Minnesota Supreme Court since May 13, 2024.

Justice Hennesy brings to this role three decades of legal experience with a deep commitment to improving the way the courts work. Throughout her career, Justice Hennesy has worked tirelessly to make the legal system more accessible, efficient, and responsive to the unique needs of both rural and urban Minnesotans. Before her appointment, she spent 12 years as a district court judge, chambered first in Milaca and later in St. Cloud. From 2021 to 2024, she served as Chief Judge of the Seventh Judicial District, a ten-county district stretching from Moorhead to St. Cloud. As a judge presiding over a full range of cases—from first-degree murder trials to complex local government disputes—she saw firsthand how court decisions affect the everyday lives of Minnesotans across the state.

A Path of Service & Dedication

Justice Sarah Hennesy’s journey to becoming a lawyer and a judge was driven by a desire to make the legal system more understandable and accessible for those who are most vulnerable. Raised in a small town in Iowa, Justice Hennesy did not come from a family of lawyers, but her desire to serve others led her to law school. She remembers how complex and inaccessible the legal system felt as she began her studies, and this awareness has shaped her career - she has dedicated herself to making the legal system easier to navigate.

Justice Hennesy began her career as an appellate public defender in Iowa. She later worked in D.C., first at a firm specializing in special education law and later at the Alexandria Public Defender’s Office in Alexandria, Virginia. After nearly 5 years as a public defender, she moved into private practice, representing clients in criminal matters in both state and federal courts.

She met her husband, a Minnesotan, while she was living in D.C. They married in 2005 and moved to St. Cloud, where they have lived since. Shortly after, Justice Hennesy was hired at Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid, where she worked until she took the bench in 2012.

Improving the Court System in Greater Minnesota
through Collaboration

A key focus of Justice Hennesy’s work has been improving the court system for communities in Greater Minnesota, where resources and access can sometimes be more limited than in larger urban areas. For example, as Chief Judge of the Seventh Judicial District, Justice Hennesy spearheaded the creation of a multi-county Housing Court, working with legal aid organizations and other court partners to create a streamlined system for addressing housing-related cases in multiple counties. This initiative aimed to reduce delays and provide residents in Greater Minnesota with quicker access to justice in housing disputes. She also coordinated efforts throughout the Seventh District to make court accessible to its users by Zoom after the pandemic. As Chief Judge, she brought together diverse stakeholders to find innovative solutions to pressing issues such as case backlogs and the need for more efficient case management. Her leadership in these areas has resulted in more effective case resolutions and greater access to justice for people
in both urban and rural communities.

Whether addressing the challenges of rural transportation to court, language access issues, or the need for more resources for self-represented litigants, Justice Hennesy has consistently worked to make sure the court system serves everyone.

Leading Through Outreach

One of Justice Hennesy’s current priorities is improving the relationship between the court system and the communities it serves. Since she has served on the Supreme Court, Justice Hennesy has worked with local judges and schools in Greater Minnesota to arrange student visits to the Supreme Court, meet with the justices, and tour the Minnesota Judicial Center and Capitol. She also speaks frequently at schools and community events in Greater Minnesota and the Twin Cities.

Why Justice Hennesy is Serving on the Minnesota
Supreme Court

From her representation of clients in underserved communities to her leadership as Chief Judge in Greater Minnesota, Justice Sarah Hennesy’s work has always been guided by the principle that the legal system should be accessible to all. As a Minnesota Supreme Court Justice, she continues to prioritize ensuring the system is fair and effective for everyone.