Cast of Characters

She's the record keeper who turned clerical errors into constitutional crises: backdated signatures and missing documents become de rigeuer.

State-employed Judicial Court Administration Manager II under Kendall, parallel-tier to Upton. Named as a defendant in Strickland v. Rueger "in his individual and official capacity as Court Administrator." Hired Aug. 7, 2019 as a lateral outside hire. 2023 total compensation $141,887.51.

The keeper of evasions — long on courtesy, short on answers — finalizing an unlawful dismissal with the serenity of a man sending a routine memo. Signs as "Court Administrator" and "District Court Administrator" on Ramsey County probate filings; parallel-tier to Harper; reports up to Kendall.

District Administrator, Second Judicial District (Ramsey County) since January 5, 2015. The top-of-org court-administration officer above Rueger, Upton, and Harper. William Mitchell J.D. 2000. Member of the Minnesota Supreme Court's Advisory Committee on the General Rules of Practice — the committee that drafts the rules governing referee proceedings, order presentation, and signature-block practice this site tracks. Not a named defendant.

Deputy Court Administrator, Second Judicial District. Signs "BY:" under Michael F. Upton on documented probate notices from December 2023 through July 2025. Structurally below Upton in the court-administration hierarchy.

Deputy Court Administrator, Second Judicial District. Signs "BY:" under Michael F. Upton on documented probate notices from November 2023 through June 2025. Structurally below Upton in the court-administration hierarchy.

Probate Registrar, Second Judicial District. A separate statutory position on the same signature block as Michael F. Upton. Handles delegated aspects of the Court Administrator's probate role.