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Member Spotlight By Uyen Campbell Judge Natalie Hudson believes her broad range of experience has helped her tremendously in her position as a Minnesota Court of Appeals judge. In fact, she believes the broader the background the better. Born in Jefferson City, Missouri, Judge Hudson’s family moved to the Twin Cities when she was 12 years old. She went on to earn her undergraduate degree from Arizona State University. Wanting to make a contribution to her community, Judge Hudson was originally interested in social work. However, she discovered from a cousin who was in law school at the time, that law was a better way for her to address the major social issues she wanted to tackle. After graduating from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1982, Judge Hudson worked for Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (SMRLS). In her housing law practice at SMRLS, Judge Hudson defended clients in unlawful detainers and contract for deed cancellations. As a result, she gained valuable courtroom experience. In 1986, Judge Hudson left SMRLS to join Robins Kaplan Miller & Ciresi, where she practiced employment law. Judge Hudson credits her experience at Robins Kaplan for honing her writing ability, which she believes is an invaluable skill for an appellate court judge. After three years at Robins Kaplan, Judge Hudson left to go to Hamline University School of Law where she had the opportunity to shape the brand new position of Dean of Students. Her work as Dean of Students ranged from student counseling to administrative work with then Dean George Latimer. While at Hamline, Judge Hudson also had the opportunity to teach employment law along with an adjunct professor. Throughout her early work experience, Judge Hudson always had in the back of her mind that she wanted to be a judge. While she enjoyed being an advocate, she also believed that she could impact people’s lives and help shape the law on a basic level as a judge. She also thought she had something to offer as a judge in terms of her experience and temperament to help people resolve issues in their lives. With her goal in mind to become a judge, Judge Hudson seized the opportunity in 1992 to get back into practice when she was asked to be St. Paul city attorney. After two years as St. Paul city attorney, Judge Hudson went on to serve as an Assistant Attorney General where she spent most of her time in the criminal appellate division. Appearing before the court of appeals and the supreme court on a regular basis, Judge Hudson believes the experience best prepared her for her current position as an appellate court judge. In 2002, Judge Hudson applied for a vacant appellate court position and was appointed to the Minnesota Court of Appeals by Governor Jesse Ventura in May 2002. After a year on the bench, Judge Hudson says she loves her job and is fascinated by the volume, variety and complexity of issues she sees. In one year, the court of appeals hears approximately 1,600 to 1,700 cases. In one day, Judge Hudson and her fellow judges may hear cases dealing with zoning, the Uniform Commercial Code, family law and criminal law issues. After writing her first opinion, Judge Hudson says that she can now also add to her broad range of experiences, a general knowledge of statutory law on drainage and ditches.
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