Anne McKinsey, a new Hennepin County district court judge, will combine extensive litigation experience with appellate practice. Judge McKinsey, a partner in the business litigation department of Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi, practiced in the area of contract disputes, communications law, employment law, securities litigation, anti-trust, construction litigation, and constitutional law. As an appellate specialist, she briefed and argued cases from all areas of the firm’s practice in state appellate courts and several federal circuit courts. "I am hopeful that I will be able to combine my litigation experience along with my appellate practice in my new role as a judge," McKinsey said. "I am familiar with the constraints and difficulties of trial practice. I also know the importance of a clear and understandable record on appeal."

Judge McKinsey states that her goals and aspirations as a new judge arise from her clerkship with the Honorable Joyce Hens Green, United States district court for the District of Columbia. McKinsey clerked for Judge Green from March 1976 through September 1977.

"Judge Green engendered respect from all who appeared before her and worked with her. She treated them with respect and, as a result, people on both sides were treated fairly and with dignity," McKinsey said. "People on both sides of the case felt they had their day in court."

Judge McKinsey states that she will attempt to emulate Judge Green and provide fair and just treatment to each party. She strongly believes that the legal system is worthy of such respect.

Judge McKinsey’s interest in law grew out of her interest in journalism. In 1971 McKinsey received her B.A., with a journalism major, from the University of Minnesota. She had been a reporter and an editor of the Minnesota Daily. While at the university, she expressed an interest in media law. She wanted to pursue media law courses when she moved out to Washington, D.C.; however, she found that she had to be a law student to do so. She registered at Washington College of Law, The American University, simply to continue her interest in the First Amendment and how it impacted on the new medium of cable television. Later in her coursework, she decided to become a lawyer.

After her clerkship, Judge McKinsey became an assistant U.S. attorney in Washington, D.C. She prosecuted criminal cases, conducted grand jury investigations, and briefed and argued criminal and civil cases in the District of Columbia and U.S. courts of appeals. She was involved in both the local and federal court systems while working in Washington, D.C.

However, Judge McKinsey states that "she missed Minnesota like crazy" and, after 11 years, moved back to Minnesota to create a more manageable life. McKinsey states she specifically missed the access to the North Shore and decided to come back to Minnesota even when her family was no longer located here.

She joined the law firm of Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi and began working in the civil practice area. A highlight of her career at Robins, Kaplan included the cable television dispute in St. Paul. She worked as part of the team at Robins, Kaplan on that dispute throughout her career there. She was involved in the federal trial that was conducted before Judge Alsop and also worked on the brief to the Minnesota Supreme Court. McKinsey credits the associations at the Robins firm and the opportunity to work with very talented and committed people as factors in her success.