News > Press Releases
Governor Walz Appoints Veena Iyer as a Judge for the Second Judicial District
Posted on May 13 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Mari Arneson, Communications Manager, Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota
mari.arneson@ilcm.org (651) 641-1011
Governor Walz Appoints Veena Iyer as a Judge for the Second Judicial District
May 10, 2024 – Today, Governor Tim Walz announced Veena Iyer, current ILCM Executive Director, as one of two new appointees to the Second Judicial District, which covers Ramsey County.
Veena Iyer and Jennifer Verdeja fill the vacancies created upon the elevation to the Minnesota Court of Appeals of the Honorable JaPaul Harris and the retirement of the Honorable Elena Ostby.
“I am honored that Governor Walz has entrusted me to serve the residents of Ramsey County and to ensure justice for all,” said Iyer. “As the child of immigrants, it has been the honor of a lifetime to serve as the Executive Director of the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota, and I am proud of all we have done together to support immigrant and refugee families across Minnesota and North Dakota.”
“It is exciting to see Veena take this next step in her professional career. The Board is proud of how ILCM has thrived under her leadership, and we look forward to seeing her serve the people of Minnesota as a judge. I have the utmost confidence that ILCM’s interim leadership and excellent staff will continue to carry out our mission, serving immigrants with grace, diligence, expertise, and passion. We are poised to navigate this transition smoothly,” reflected Board Chair, Sarah Radosevich.
Jenny Stohl Powell, the Legal Director of ILCM, will serve as the Interim Director while the Board launches a search for the next leader of ILCM. Jenny has been the Legal Director of ILCM since 2019 and has over 25 years of experience in providing immigration legal services. “Jenny is a compassionate and effective leader who is trusted by our staff, partners, and community and will be an excellent steward for the organization,” said Radosevich.
Iyer will remain at ILCM for several weeks to complete her transition before joining the bench. A search will begin shortly.