Natalie Hudson

Natalie E. Hudson (born January 13, 1957) is an American attorney and jurist who has served since 2023 as the chief justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court. From 2015 to 2023, she served as associate justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court.

Early life and education Hudson is the daughter of Florence and Don Hudson. She graduated from Arizona State University in 1979. She then attended the University of Minnesota Law School, where she was the editor-in-chief of the school newspaper, Quaere. From 1980 to 1981 she was on the staff of the Law Review. She earned her Juris Doctor in 1982.

On August 23, 2023, Governor Tim Walz announced he would elevate Hudson to Chief Justice, per the announced resignation of Chief Justice Lorie Skjerven Gildea effective October 1 of that year. Hudson is the first woman of color and the first African-American to serve as Chief Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court.