CONTACT: Joshua Hasko
jhasko@messerlikramer.com
612.672.3665
Messerli Kramer shareholder Theresa E. Bea has been appointed by Governor Tim Walz to serve as a judge in Minnesota’s Fourth Judicial District Court, chambered in Minneapolis and serving Hennepin County. A respected family and juvenile law attorney, Bea leaves the firm with a record of exceptional advocacy, professional leadership, and service to families during some of the most consequential moments of their lives.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN — June 30, 2026 — Messerli Kramer is proud to announce that shareholder Theresa E. Bea has been appointed by Governor Tim Walz to serve as a judge of Minnesota’s Fourth Judicial District Court. Bea will be chambered in Minneapolis and will serve Hennepin County.
Bea has been a valued member of Messerli Kramer’s Minneapolis office, where she has practiced extensively in family law and juvenile law. Her practice has included dissolution, custody and parenting time, child support, child protection, assisted reproduction, adoption, third-party custody, orders for protection, paternity, and other matters involving families and children during some of the most consequential moments of their lives.
“Theresa’s appointment is a tremendous honor and an extraordinary recognition of the lawyer, colleague, and person she is,” said Joshua Hasko, President of Messerli Kramer. “She has brought judgment, compassion, steadiness, and excellence to every part of her practice. While we will miss her greatly at the firm, we could not be more proud to see her take this next step in service to the people of Minnesota.”
Throughout her career, Bea has earned a reputation as a thoughtful and effective advocate who combines practical judgment with deep subject-matter expertise. She has guided clients through complex and deeply personal family matters, bringing both calm counsel and determined advocacy when litigation was necessary.
“Theresa has been one of those lawyers who makes everyone around her better,” said Brett Larson, Chair of Messerli Kramer’s Minneapolis Division. “She leads with preparation, integrity, and an uncommon ability to understand the human stakes behind a legal dispute. That combination will serve the bench and the public exceptionally well.”
Bea’s professional and community involvement has reflected the same commitment to service that has defined her legal career. She has served on the board of the Minnesota Twins Community Fund and the Messerli Kramer Foundation (helping to eliminate the gap in educational opportunities for low-income communities), volunteered with the Fourth District Ethics Committee, and provided pro bono representation through organizations including the Volunteer Lawyers Network and the Ramsey County Family Court Limited Scope Program.
She is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and the Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys, a Qualified Neutral under Rule 114, and has been recognized by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America, Minnesota Super Lawyers, Minnesota Monthly: Top Lawyers in Minnesota, and the Minnesota State Bar Association as a North Star Lawyer for pro bono service.
“Theresa’s work in family and juvenile law has always reflected the qualities we hope to see in a judge,” said Gary Debele, Chair of Messerli Kramer’s Family Law Practice Group. “She understands that family court is not abstract. It affects children, parents, safety, stability, and futures. Theresa has spent her career meeting those moments with grace and skill, and she will be an outstanding judge.”
Bea earned her J.D., magna cum laude, from the University of Minnesota Law School and her undergraduate degree, cum laude, from the University of Notre Dame.
About Messerli Kramer
Founded in 1965, Messerli Kramer is a full-service law firm headquartered in Minnesota, dedicated to serving our clients in complex legal and business matters locally and across the world. With offices in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Plymouth, and St. Michael, along with satellite offices across the country, MK has a storied history of entrepreneurialism and innovation. With an emphasis on building lasting relationships with clients, MK’s professionals take the time to listen and understand their legal issues within the larger framework of their business as a whole. Known for dedication and responsiveness, the firm’s attorneys and staff are focused on finding pragmatic solutions and producing remarkable results for clients.