ST. PAUL, MN - Governor Tim Walz today announced the appointment of Carrie Ryan Gallia, Andrew Tweeten, and Matthew Wilcox as District Court Judges in Minnesota’s Fourth Judicial District. These seats will be chambered in Minneapolis in Hennepin County.

Carrie Ryan Gallia will replace the Honorable Charlene W. Hatcher.

“Carrie Ryan Gallia will be a great addition to the Hennepin County bench,” said Governor Walz. “She is guided not just by the letter of the law but by a deep commitment to fairness, integrity, and justice for all.”

Andrew Tweeten will replace the Honorable Amy E. Dawson.

“It is my privilege to appoint Andrew Tweeten to the Fourth Judicial District,” said Governor Walz. “His professional and lived experience will provide him with the empathy and understanding to be a fair, just, and equitable jurist.” 

Matthew Wilcox will replace the Honorable Jay M. Quam.

“It is my honor to appoint Matt Wilcox, a veteran and dedicated public servant,” said Governor Walz. “Hennepin County is home to the largest veteran population in Minnesota, and his deep understanding of their needs and challenges will make him a valuable asset to this court and community.” 

Minnesota’s Fourth Judicial District encompasses Hennepin County.

About Carrie Ryan Gallia 
Carrie Ryan Gallia is a senior associate general counsel in the Office of the General Counsel at the University of Minnesota, where she handles litigation and advises on student affairs, freedom of expression, civil rights, and other issues.?She previously was an attorney at Lindquist & Vennum and Fish & Richardson, as well as a law clerk to the Honorable Carlos Bea on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Ryan Gallia’s community involvement includes teaching judicial writing at the University of Minnesota Law School, serving as a board member for Xperitas, and volunteering at Jefferson High School in Bloomington. She earned her A.B. from Princeton University, her M.F.A. from Columbia University School of the Arts, and her J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School.

About Andrew Tweeten 
Andrew Tweeten is an assistant U.S. attorney in the Civil Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota, where he investigates and litigates civil fraud cases on behalf of the United States and defends federal agencies and officials against a wide variety of civil claims. He was previously an assistant attorney general in the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office and a law clerk for the Honorable Donald Molloy on the U.S. District Court for the District of Montana and the Honorable Sidney Thomas on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Tweeten’s community involvement includes serving as a volunteer conciliation court referee in the Fourth Judicial District, volunteering with the Minnesota Urban Debate League, and singing and volunteering with One Voice Mixed Chorus. He is also a member of the Minnesota Lavender Bar Association. Tweeten earned his B.A from Macalester College and his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center.

About Matthew Wilcox  
Matthew Wilcox is deputy general counsel for the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, where he manages a team of legal professionals and oversees the agency’s contracting and litigation portfolios. He also serves as an assistant staff judge advocate (Major) at the United States Air Force Warfare Center. Wilcox was previously an assistant city attorney for the City of Minneapolis and an assistant appellate defender in the Office of the Appellate Defender in Montana. His community involvement includes mentoring law students as part of the University of St. Thomas School of Law Mentor Externship Program and serving as a mock trial judge for the MSBA’s high school mock trial program. Wilcox is also a member of the American Legion and an Army veteran who deployed to the Middle East in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Spartan Shield. He earned his B.A. from Montana State University and his J.D. and LL.M. from the University of St. Thomas School of Law.

For more information about the judicial selection process, please visit the Governor’s Judicial Appointments webpage.