LaJune Thomas Lange

Born: January 29, 1946 in Kansas City, MO

Education:

• J.D. 1978, University of Minnesota;
• B.A. 1975, Augsburg College

Employment:

• Judge, 4th Judicial District Court, June 1986-Present
• Judge, Hennepin County Municipal Court, January 1985-June 1986
• Assistant Public Defender, Hennepin County Public Defender’s Office, 1978-1985
• Adjunct Professor, William Mitchell College of Law, 1983-Present

Bar admission(s) (include jurisdiction(s), dates):

• State of Minnesota, September 1978
• U.S. District Court, October 1978
• U.S. Court of Appeals-8th Circuit, October 1978
• U.S. Supreme Court, March 1983

Appointment/ election to bench: I was appointed to the Hennepin County Municipal Court bench in January 1985 by Governor Rudy Perpich. Municipal court was incorporated into Hennepin County District Court in 1986.

Bar activities:

• American Bar Association
  Criminal Justice Section, local Bar Association; Human Rights Law Reform programs with ABA Africa Council
• National Bar Association
  Judicial Council Executive Committee; International Affiliates Committee; Organized programs in Brazil, Tanzania and Kenya.
• National Association of Women Judges
  Past and/or Present Positions include: Chairperson, Minority Affairs Committee; Chairperson, Nominating Committee; Liaison to National Bar Association Judicial Council; International Law Education Program
• Minnesota State Bar Association
  Past Positions: Board of Governors, 1st member of African-American Descent; Association, Organization and Governance Committee; Criminal Law Committee; International Law Committee
• Hennepin County Bar Association
  Past Positions: Chairperson, Criminal Law Committee; Hennepin Lawyer Committee, Civil Litigation Section; Program and Continuation Studies Committee; AIDS Defense Panel and the LIRS; Chairperson, Nominating Committee
• Minnesota Minority Lawyers Association
  Founding Member; President, 1982
• Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers
  Profiles in Courage Award Winner, 2003.
• Minnesota Women Lawyers
  Past Positions: Member of Board of Directors; Co-chair, Public Relations Committee

I have served as an international observer to the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the United Nations Committee to Eliminate Racial Discrimination in Europe, South America, Africa, the Middle East and Caribbean.

I have also worked locally to provide access to justice through civic education programs for the elderly, high school students, immigrants and others in the community through Phyllis Wheatley Community Center, the University of Minnesota and the International Leadership Institute.

Personal: Married with 2 teenage children.

Hobbies: Entertaining family and friends

Other:

Awards & Recognitions

• Local Legend Award - General Mills Foundation, 2004
• Profiles of Judicial Courage Award - Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers, 2003
• University of Minnesota Human Rights Center International Legal Fellowship
• Augsburg College - Distinguished Alumni Award
• Minnesota Justice Foundation
• 1998 Citizen of the Year - Minneapolis University Rotary
• Governor’s Task Force on Drugs
• Paul Harris Fellow - Rotary International

• Jury Instruction Guide - Criminal
• Race Bias in the Courts - Minnesota Supreme Court
• William Mitchell Law Review
• Gender Bias in the Courts - Minnesota
• Governess Task Force on Drugs
• Hennepin County Bar Association
• Hennepin Lawyer - various articles
• Minnesota Women’s Lawyers - various articles

E-mail address: LaJune.Lange@courts.state.mn.us

Campaign Web site address: www.JudgeLaJuneLange.org

Candidacy Questions:

1. Why did you originally apply (or run) for a position as a judge?

My father served in World War II and Korea to defend the principles of liberty and justice for all; even though the freedoms he was willing to give his life for were not fully available to many Americans. The importance of public service is the reason I became a Judge in 1985. I have worked to improve our courts through the Minnesota Supreme Court Gender Fairness Task Force which institutionalized respect of women lawyers, provided domestic abuse protections for women and brought civility to Minnesota courtrooms. Most importantly, serving as a Judge has given me the opportunity to participate in a thoughtful process with parties to resolve a variety of legal disputes, to educate the public, and to provide greater access to the courts with the goal still remaining justice for all.

2. Why should voters select you rather than your opponent(s) in the upcoming election?
I believe that my 19 years of experience as a Judge and my commitment to decide all cases in a fair and impartial way make me more qualified then my opponent to serve as a District Court Judge. I have demonstrated a respect for the legal system we have in this state and nation and have worked hard to improve the administration of justice through service on the Supreme Court and District Court committees and self initiated civic education programs.

3. What are the major issues facing the court on which you wish to serve? How can these realistically be addressed?
A major population increase is anticipated over the next 10 years. The Court will have to increase its knowledge of diverse populations and cultures in order to educate new arrivals about the laws in Minnesota as well as be able to anticipate a greater need for services in civil, juvenile and family court. Civic education programs about the responsibilities of parties in litigation, increaser interpreter services and greater use of mediation programs will help.

4. What are some of your accomplishments during your tenure as a judge of which you are most proud?
I am very proud of my service on the Minnesota Supreme Court Gender Fairness Task Force which has brought greater access to justice for victims of domestic abuse, civility in the courts and respect for women attorneys. As Co-Vice Chair of the Minnesota Supreme Court Race Bias Task Force, we brought to light racial disparities in correctional incarceration rates and standardized training and selection of court interpreters.

The civic education programs I have initiated for minorities and immigrants have demonstrated the very positive role the Court can play in demystifying civil proceedings.

5. Do you believe it is good policy to discuss disputed legal and political issues during judicial campaigns? If so, what issues do you plan to discuss and why? If not, why shouldn't such issues be discussed? No.

6. What else, if anything, would you like voters to know about your candidacy that you have not discussed so far?
It is an honor to have the opportunity to serve as a Judge. I would like to continue to be of service.