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April 29, 2000
Stoneburner sworn in as new appellate judgeBy SARA SYVERSON Journal Staff Writer NEW ULM -- The Honorable Terri J. Stoneburner was sworn in Friday as the 30th judge of the Minnesota Court of Appeals, in a ceremony at the Brown County Courthouse in New Ulm. Stoneburner took the next step in a judicial career that started in April 1990 when she was appointed a Fifth Judicial District Court Judge in New Ulm. She was elected Assistant Chief Judge of the Fifth Judicial District in July 1997. On March 8, 2000 Gov. Jesse Ventura announced Stoneburner's appointment to the Minnesota Court of Appeals. "It's been a growing experience," Stoneburner said of her tenure in Brown County. "We've had a wonderful 10 years together here. I will really miss the small town community spirit here. I will miss Brown County and New Ulm." Friends and colleagues packed the courthouse for Stoneburner's swearing-in ceremony and reception held afterwards at Turner Hall. The Hon. Edward Toussaint, Jr. Chief Judge of the Minnesota Court of Appeals presided over the swearing-in ceremony. "It's a wonderful day," said Toussaint, "It's a very warm welcome from the citizens here." Toussaint said all the things he has known about Stoneburner can be summed up in one word, "leadership." The Hon. Paul Anderson, Associate Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court spoke on the many good qualities a judge must possess. A good judge must be a good lawyer first of all, Anderson said. "She's a good lawyer with a good background," said Anderson, "She's a true professional. I've also seen her in the role of mentor." Other qualities of a good judge include life experience, patience, discipline, and intelligence, according to Anderson. "Terri is smart and she has the wisdom to be a good judge," said Anderson. Anderson ended by telling Judge Stoneburner he feels she is well-equipped with the training and the experience to make the journey she is on. Stoneburner did her undergraduate work in Hanover, Ind. and studied in Geneva, Switzerland. Stoneburner also joined the Peace Corps. She has a love of travel and has visited 25 countries. In 1975 Stoneburner graduated from the University of Washington School of Law in Seattle. After graduation, she volunteered and was later assigned full-time as a staff attorney for the State of Alaska Commission for Human Rights. In 1980 she worked in private practice at Farrish, Johnson, Maschka Attorneys at Law in Mankato, and in 1984 she became a partner there. Stoneburner has served on various committees and organizations during her career: the League of Women Voters, the Brown County Judicial Advisory Council on Families, the Brown County Teen Court Advisory Board and the Minnesota Women Lawyers Association. She has also served as chairperson of the Supreme Court Advisory Committee and participated other Supreme Court task forces. "I'm very happy (for her)," said local attorney and public defender Pat Moriarty, "I think she'll make a very effective Appeals Court judge. She'll bring a lot of practical experience to the court." Stoneburner said she is definitely looking forward to her new position. She plans on moving to the metro area and is still looking for a home there. "I'll really miss the light traffic and the ease of being able to get things done," said Stoneburner. "Brown County has one of the best staffs in the whole state." Her new work will involve more paperwork and less public interaction, Stoneburner said. Stoneburner also said that when she moved her people told her the community was very closed, but this was not her experience she said. "People here were so welcoming," said Stoneburner, "New Ulm is a wonderful place to live."
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