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Judge Gregory G. Galler

Honesty - Integrity - Professionalism - Justice

Judge Galler has served the citizens of Minnesota's 10th Judicial District since January, 2001 when he was appointed to the bench by Governor Jesse Ventura. Judge Galler was chambered at the Sherburne County Courthouse in Elk River until October, 2004. He has since been chambered at the Washington County Courthouse in Stillwater.

Before taking the bench, Judge Galler practiced law and was a partner in a private law firm in Stillwater for 13 years. Pursuant to Minnesota law, he was on the ballot and elected to his position in 2002 and again in 2008. He will be on the ballot again in 2014.

A History of Community Involvement:

Judge Galler has a long history of professional & community involvement.

Co-Lead Judge (with Judge Richard Ilkka) in Washington County's new Veteran's Court Program.

President, Washington County Law Library, Board of Trustees.

Member, Washington County Agricultural Society.

Past President, Washington County Bar Association

Past President, 19th District Bar Association.

Past Chairman & Investigator, 19th District Ethics Committee.

Founder and Past President, Washington County City Prosecutor's Association.

Volunteer, Friends of China, (International Teaching Outreach Program) (2011-)

Member, Minnesota State Bar Association.

Helped establish the Sherburne County Bar Association.

Member, Salem Lutheran Church & School in Stillwater. (Past President - 7 Terms; Past Chair of Spiritual Growth Commitee - 3 Terms, Past Chair of Long Range Planning Committee, also a member of usher & vestry teams.)

Member Board of Delegates, St. Croix Lutheran High School in West St. Paul, Minnesota (2003-2011).

Member, State Canvassing Board (January 2006).

Member, 10th Judicial District Personnel & Human Resources Committee.

Member, Washington County Calendar Review Committee.

Member, Washington County Architectural Space Committee.

Supervising Attorney, Washington County Fine Collections Unit (1994-2000).

Former Member & Chair, Washington County Sentence to Service Advisory Board.

Stillwater Chair, Boy Scouts-Friends of Scouting campaign (1996).

Former Volunteer Mechanic, Christians in Action, Lake Elmo, Minnesota.

Coach, Stillwater Boy's Traveling Basketball Program, 2003-2008.

Coach, Salem Lutheran Church & School, Boy's Basketball Program, 2004-2007.

Coach, Lower St. Croix Valley & Lake Elmo, Traveling Baseball Programs (2004-2008).

Basketball Coach, St. Croix Lutheran High School, 9th Grade, 2007-2012; Varsity Assistant, 2010-2012.

Football Coach, St. Croix Lutheran High School, Freshmen & JV Head Coach, Assistant Varsity Coach, 2008.

Volunteer Videographer, St. Croix Lutheran High School, Varsity Football Team, 2007 & 2010 - 2011.

Contributing Columnist/Writer:

-The Citizen, (Hugo)

-The Country Messenger (Scandia, May & Marine on St. Croix)

-The East Central Minnesota Post Review (North Branch, Harris, Rush City, Stacy, and area)

- The Forest Lake Times.

- Isanti-Chisago County Star.

-The Oakdale Patch

-The Oakdale-Lake Elmo Review

-The Sherburne County Citizen.

- The Stillwater Gazette.

-The Stillwater Patch

-The Woodbury Bulletin

-The Woodbury Patch

-South Washington County Bulletin

-Forward In Christ (magazine)

Courthouse Visits

If you would like to visit the courthouse, you should do so. The courthouse is open for visitors during regular courthouse hours. Most cases are open to the public.

We also get visits at the courthouse from a variety of different groups. Many school groups visit as part of a government or civics class. I get a visit from graduating seniors from St. Croix Lutheran High School each spring. Here I am with a webelo's pack that included one of my nephews.

Stillwater All-Stars Basketball.

Here I am participating in a basketball game against the Harlem Ambassdors in 2009. The event was sponsored by the Stillwater Sunrise Rotary Club and held at the Stillwater Area High School. I was on the Stillwater All-Stars team. (Apparently, one's star doesn't have to shine too brightly to make the squad.) Here I am going in for a layup. Although I can't prove it, I may in fact be several inches off of the floor!

Honorary Duties.

Once in a while judges are called upon to perform honorary types of duties. These include swearing people in to office. I've had the honor of administering the oath of office to elected officials and law enforcment personnel. Here I am in 2007 swearing in the late Dick Stafford for his final term as a Washington County Comissioner.

Weddings at the Fair

Beginning this year, I will be performing weddings at the fair for free. Use the link on the left side of this page to get more information about this fun event.

Youth Coaching

I have enjoyed spending time coaching various youth sports teams for most of the last ten-plus years.

This year our varsity squad (shown above) was fortunate enough to make it to the State Tournament for the first time in school history. Here I am below at Williams Arena during pre-game warm-ups. Next year we plan on going even further into the tournament.

In addition to working as a varsity assistant, I also enjoyed my 5th year as the Freshmen coach. Our record on the freshmen team for those five years is 80-35 (although with volunteer bookkeepers, that is just an approximation). Our actual won-lost record is secondary, of course, to the joy and privilege of being able to work with the young men. Seeing young people work hard and achieve more than they thought they could accomplish is the real reward.

"Justice in the Courts"

I was honored to be asked to speak about "Justice in the Courts" at an open forum at Boutwell's Landing in Stillwater. Those who attended were very engaged as we discussed topics such as: "What is Justice?" "Should I Represent Myself?" and "Is Family Court Fair to Both Sides?" Nearly 150 people attended the event which was also recorded and may be played on cable access television.

Law Library Board of Trustees

In 2011 I was elected to serve as President of the Washington County Law Library Board of Trustees. The board oversees the budget and operations of Washington County's official law library - located at the Stillwater courthouse - which serves over 4,000 people per year. I have served on the board since 2007. Below is a picture of the current board members following our July 2011 meeting. Members of the board (from left to right) are: Attorney Tom Weidner, Washington County Library Director Pat Conley, Attorney Steve Povolny, Judge Elizabeth Martin, myself, Attorney Jennifer Nodes, and Law Librarian Brian Huffman.

Washington County Fair

I always enjoy spending time at the Washington County Fair.

At last year's fair, I had the opportunity to appear on Ms. Margot Rheinberger's "TV on a Stick" cable program. The program aired on cable outlets throughout the county.

Even when not on TV, it is always great to enjoy the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes at our fair (just watch your step near the livestock barns!). It is also great to catch up with so many old friends and acquaintances and to meet new ones. I am always impressed with people's interest in good government. Here I am below at the judges' booth from a number of years ago.

Kona, Hawaii - 1/2 Marathon

My wife, Sue, and I ran the half-marathon in Kona, Hawaii in June, 2006. Sue ran to raise money for the American Stroke Association. I ran along with her for support. We also had a personal reason to run: our sister-in-law, Julie, had a serious stroke in 2005. Running 13.1 miles in Hawaii was a blast and the proceeds of Sue's efforts went to a great cause. Here we are on the home stretch with about 4 miles to go.

Gregory G. Galler

Judge of District Court