JOHNSON TAKES THE REIGNS AS THE DISTRICT COURT JUDGE IN ROCK, PIPESTONE COUNTIES

By Crystal Reith When other bench opportunities presented themselves to Kayla Johnson in the past, she never felt like it was the right time.

“When I learned that Judge Vajgrt was retiring, I started considering applying more seriously and after reflecting on what I had done in my career so far and what my future goals were, it just felt like the time was right and that this position was a good fit for me,” said Johnson.

Johnson, of Avoca, began her new role as Minnesota’s Fifth Judicial District Court judge for Rock and Pipestone Counties on March 17. In addition to her position as the district court judge, Johnson will preside over the treatment courts for Pipestone/Murray Counties and Rock/Nobles Counties.

“I have been involved with our local treatment courts since their inception, and I have seen firsthand the positive impacts that they have on not only the participants, but the communities as well,” said Johnson. “I am really looking forward to serving as a treatment court judge and working with a tion cases, child protection cases, civil commitments and child support matters. She also was a partner in the firm of Smith and Johnson where she had an emphasis in the areas of child protection, real estate, estate planning and municipal law. Before that, she gained experience as an assistant public defender and a private criminal defense attorney.

“I have learned so much from my colleagues and the different judges that I have appeared before over the years,” said Johnson. “I’m thankful for the variety of legal experience that I have been able to gain as an attorney practicing in a rural area, which I feel has really helped to prepare me for this new role, as I will be responsible for handling all of the different types of cases that come into the judicial system.”

While working with various types of cases, Johnson wants to make sure everyone that comes into the judicial system can access appropriate services, including mental health and substance use services in a timely manner.

“My primary goals are making sure that people have access to the judicial system, have an opportunity to be heard and are treated respectfully,” said Johnson.

Johnson is a 2002 Murray County Central graduate and a magna cum laude graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and legal studies from Hamline University in 2005. She received her Juris Doctor, magna cum laude, from Hamline University School of Law in 2008. Johnson and her husband, Chris, have three children, Jack, Ali and Aubrie.

“I have always had amazing family support, which has allowed me to balance my career and family life,” said Johnson. “I couldn’t do what I do without them.”