Judge Michael K. Browne - Professional Background & Legal Expertise

Biography

Hon. Michael K. Browne is a judge for the 4th Judicial District Court of Minnesota in Hennepin County. He was appointed to the bench by former Governor Mark Dayton in 2015.

Browne has held assignments in the Probate/Mental Health, Criminal, Family Court, and Civil & Criminal Divisions. He served as Presiding Judge of the Probate/Mental Health Division and was the lead judge of the Downtown Criminal Team.

Prior to his appointment, Browne worked a the Minneapolis Department of Civil Rights. His positions there included serving as Director of the Office of Police Conduct Review, Assistant Director of complaint investigations, Legal Affairs Manager, Interim Director, and Director of Outreach and Enforcement.

Before that, Browne spent time in private practice, including as an associate at Blackwell Igbanugo Engen & Saffold, P.A. He was also a former assistant public defender for the 3rd Judicial District and a staff attorney at Centro Legal, Inc.

Browne has taught as an adjunct professor at the University of St. Thomas School of Law.

He received a B.A. from the Univerity of Minnesota, Duluth in 1995. Browne went on to complete a J.D. at Mitchell Hamline School of Law in 1999.

He was a judicial law clerk to the Hon. L.T. Lange with the Hennepin County District Court and a law clerk for the Hennepin County Public Defender’s Office.

Browne was chair of the Budget Committee, Governance Committee, and the Statewide Judicial Officers Technology Advisory Board. He also sat as a member of the 4th Judicial District Executive Committee.

Browne received various certifications, including as a Certified Practitioner of Oversight by the National Association of Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement and a Certified Distinguished Toastmaster by Toastmasters International. He also holds a certificate in Humanitarian and Human Rights Law from the Human Rights Institute of the Faculty of Law of The Complutense University of Madrid & Helsinki Spain and in Strategic Management of Regulatory and Enforcement Agencies from Harvard University, Kennedy School of Government.

Browne is a Fellow of the Robert Bosch Foundation in Germany.

Recent Cases by Hon. Michael K. Browne

In the Matter of the Civil Commitment of Tellisha Japera Lipford, Respondent

On June 24, 2024 a 9:00 am case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Browne, Michael presiding.

Filed

Jun 24, 2024

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Hon. Browne, Michael 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Browne, Michael

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Hennepin County, MN

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9:00 AM

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Jun 26, 2024

In the Matter of the Civil Commitment of Leanne Ranae Todd, Respondent

On June 24, 2024 a 10:30 am case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Browne, Michael presiding.

Filed

Jun 24, 2024

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Hon. Browne, Michael 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Browne, Michael

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Hennepin County, MN

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10:30 AM

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Jun 26, 2024

In the Matter of the Civil Commitment of Joshua A Reed, Respondent

On June 24, 2024 a 2:15 pm case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Browne, Michael presiding.

Filed

Jun 24, 2024

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Hon. Browne, Michael 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Browne, Michael

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Hennepin County, MN

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2:15 PM

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Jun 26, 2024

In the Matter of the Civil Commitment of Suzanne Merkl, Respondent

On June 24, 2024 a 2:00 pm case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Browne, Michael presiding.

Filed

Jun 24, 2024

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Hennepin County, MN

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2:00 PM

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Jun 26, 2024

In the Matter of the Civil Commitment of Carlos E. Face, AKA Carlos Eduardo Harrison Face, Respondent

On June 13, 2024 a 3:31 pm case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Browne, Michael presiding.

Filed

Jun 13, 2024

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3:31 PM

Case Last Refreshed

Jun 15, 2024

In the Matter of the Civil Commitment of Motunrayo Abibatou Saka, Respondent

On June 13, 2024 a 10:16 am case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Browne, Michael presiding.

Filed

Jun 13, 2024

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Hennepin County, MN

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10:16 AM

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Jun 15, 2024

In the Matter of the Civil Commitment of Anastasiya Malanina, Respondent

On June 13, 2024 a 11:46 am case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Browne, Michael presiding.

Filed

Jun 13, 2024

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Hennepin County, MN

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11:46 AM

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Jun 15, 2024

In re the Guardianship and/or Conservatorship of Charles Ivory, Jr.

On June 12, 2024 a guardianship/conservatorship case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Browne, Michael K presiding.

11 Files

Filed

Jun 12, 2024

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Hon. Browne, Michael K 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Browne, Michael K

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Hennepin County, MN

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Guardianship/Conservatorship

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Guardianship,Conservatorship

Case Last Refreshed

Jun 15, 2024

In re the Guardianship and/or Conservatorship of Gary Pedersen

On June 12, 2024 a guardianship/conservatorship case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Browne, Michael K presiding.

11 Files

Filed

Jun 12, 2024

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Hon. Browne, Michael K 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Browne, Michael K

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Hennepin County, MN

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Guardianship/Conservatorship

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Guardianship,Conservatorship

Case Last Refreshed

Jun 15, 2024

In the Matter of the Civil Commitment of Santos Adolfo Irizarry Arroyo, AKA Irizarry Arroyo, Santos Adolfo, Respondent

On June 12, 2024 a 10:01 am case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Browne, Michael presiding.

Filed

Jun 12, 2024

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Hon. Browne, Michael 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Browne, Michael

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10:01 AM

Case Last Refreshed

Jun 14, 2024

In the Matter of the Civil Commitment of John Henry Cleveland, III, Respondent

On June 12, 2024 a 11:31 am case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Browne, Michael presiding.

Filed

Jun 12, 2024

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Hon. Browne, Michael 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Browne, Michael

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Hennepin County, MN

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11:31 AM

Case Last Refreshed

Jun 14, 2024

In the Matter of the Civil Commitment of JOSEPH VELASQUEZ, Respondent

On June 12, 2024 a 3:16 pm case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Browne, Michael presiding.

Filed

Jun 12, 2024

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Hon. Browne, Michael 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Browne, Michael

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3:16 PM

Case Last Refreshed

Jun 14, 2024

In the Matter of the Civil Commitment of Abdinajib Hussein, Respondent

On June 11, 2024 a 11:31 am case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Browne, Michael presiding.

Filed

Jun 11, 2024

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Hon. Browne, Michael 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Browne, Michael

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Hennepin County, MN

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11:31 AM

Case Last Refreshed

Jun 13, 2024

In the Matter of the Civil Commitment of Daniel Omar Delgado Soberanis, Respondent

On June 10, 2024 a 3:30 pm case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Browne, Michael presiding.

Filed

Jun 10, 2024

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3:30 PM

Case Last Refreshed

Jun 13, 2024

In the Matter of the Civil Commitment of ERIC PHILLIPS, Respondent

On June 10, 2024 a 3:31 pm case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Browne, Michael presiding.

Filed

Jun 10, 2024

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3:31 PM

Case Last Refreshed

Jun 13, 2024

In the Matter of the Civil Commitment of Taylor Elizabeth Thompson, Respondent

On May 30, 2024 a 11:46 am case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Browne, Michael presiding.

Filed

May 30, 2024

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Hon. Browne, Michael 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Browne, Michael

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11:46 AM

Case Last Refreshed

Jun 03, 2024

In the Matter of the Civil Commitment of Samuel S Schebloom, Respondent

On May 30, 2024 a 11:31 am case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Browne, Michael presiding.

Filed

May 30, 2024

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Hon. Browne, Michael 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Browne, Michael

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11:31 AM

Case Last Refreshed

Jun 03, 2024

In the Matter of the Civil Commitment of ALEX ISOE, Respondent

On May 30, 2024 a 2:15 pm case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Browne, Michael presiding.

Filed

May 30, 2024

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Hon. Browne, Michael 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Browne, Michael

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2:15 PM

Case Last Refreshed

Jun 03, 2024

In the Matter of the Civil Commitment of Aaron Raisanen, Respondent

On May 30, 2024 a 10:16 am case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Browne, Michael presiding.

Filed

May 30, 2024

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Hon. Browne, Michael 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Browne, Michael

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10:16 AM

Case Last Refreshed

Jun 03, 2024

In the Matter of the Civil Commitment of John Michael Lundeen, Respondent

On May 30, 2024 a 3:31 pm case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Browne, Michael presiding.

Filed

May 30, 2024

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Hon. Browne, Michael 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Browne, Michael

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3:31 PM

Case Last Refreshed

Jun 03, 2024

In the Matter of the Civil Commitment of Naimo M Mohamud, Respondent

On May 30, 2024 a 10:01 am case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Browne, Michael presiding.

Filed

May 30, 2024

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10:01 AM

Case Last Refreshed

Jun 03, 2024

In the Matter of the Civil Commitment of Brenden Dillon, Respondent

On May 29, 2024 a 11:30 am case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Browne, Michael presiding.

Filed

May 29, 2024

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11:30 AM

Case Last Refreshed

Jun 03, 2024

In the Matter of the Civil Commitment of Scott Klimek, Respondent

On May 29, 2024 a 2:00 pm case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Browne, Michael presiding.

Filed

May 29, 2024

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2:00 PM

Case Last Refreshed

Jun 03, 2024

In the Matter of the Civil Commitment of Cinque Lee, Respondent

On May 28, 2024 a 2:16 pm case was filed in the jurisdiction of Hennepin County. Judge Browne, Michael presiding.

Filed

May 28, 2024

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Hon. Browne, Michael 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Browne, Michael

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Hennepin County, MN

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2:16 PM

Case Last Refreshed

May 30, 2024

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About

Michael K. Browne
Current Appointment 4th Judicial District Court of Minnesota, Department Probate/Mental Health	4th Judicial District Court of Minnesota, Department Probate/Mental Health
Election/Appointment 2016 - Re-elected 2022 - Re-elected	2016 - Re-elected 2022 - Re-elected
Education B.A., University of Minnesota, Duluth - 1995 J.D., Mitchell Hamline School of Law - 1999	B.A., University of Minnesota, Duluth - 1995 J.D., Mitchell Hamline School of Law - 1999

Court Info

Court Info
Current Court:	MN - 4th Judicial District Court of Minnesota
Clerk phone:	+1 (612) 543-2471
Chambers:	+1 (612) 543-2472
Reporter:	+1 (612) 596-2870

Career History

Career History
Role	Employer	Where
Law Clerk	Hennepin County Public Defender's Office	Hennepin County, Minnesota
Judicial Law Clerk	Hennepin County District Court with the Hon. L.T. Lange	Hennepin County, Minnesota
Staff Attorney	Centro Legal, Inc.	None
Assistant Public Defender	3rd Judicial District Court	None
Associate	Blackwell Igbanugo Engen & Saffold, P.A.	Hennepin County, Minnesota
Director of Outreach and Enforcement	Minneapolis Department of Civil Rights	Hennepin County, Minnesota
Interim Director	Minneapolis Department of Civil Rights	Hennepin County, Minnesota
Legal Affairs Manager	Minneapolis Department of Civil Rights	Hennepin County, Minnesota
Assistant Director of Complaint Investigations	Minneapolis Department of Civil Rights	Hennepin County, Minnesota
Director	Office of Police Conduct Review, Minneapolis Department of Civil Rights	Hennepin County, Minnesota
Judge	4th Judicial District Court of Minnesota	Hennepin County, Minnesota