Judge Debbie Kleven (Ret.)

Debbie Kleven

Mediator | Arbitrator | Special Master
Retired Judge of District Court

PDF Downloadable Information – HERE
“As a former judge, I have seen firsthand the power of mediation to transform disputes into solutions. Mediation provides a structured yet flexible process that empowers parties to craft their own resolutions, avoiding the expense and uncertainty of litigation. With my judicial experience and deep understanding of complex legal issues, I am committed to guiding parties toward fair, practical, and lasting agreements.” — Hon. Debbie Kleven (Ret.)

Contact Information

Practice Areas

  • Civil Mediation
  • Civil Arbitration
  • Court Appointed Neutral/Special Master

Education

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Bar Admissions

Professional Appointments & Employment

  • Judge, First Judicial District, State of Minnesota (1997 – 2024)
  • Board Director, Larkin-Hoffman Law Firm, Ltd (1996 – 1997)
  • Shareholder, Larkin-Hoffman Law Firm, Ltd (1985 – 1997)

Professional Accomplishments & Honors

Professional Associations

Family, Civil and Community Involvement

Biography

Judicial/Legal Experience

  • Oversaw a diverse docket of civil and criminal trials, including mass tort cases such as asbestos litigation and nationwide class action lawsuits. Specialized in complex litigation encompassing personal injury, wrongful death, product liability, medical malpractice, contract disputes, employment law, probate, and construction matters.
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  • Frequently sought after by judicial colleagues to mediate challenging cases, earning recognition for achieving consistently high settlement rates. Assigned to the most intricate civil litigation matters in Dakota County.
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  • Chosen by both Republican and Democratic parties—out of 41 judges in the First Judicial District—to preside over a politically sensitive election fraud and misconduct trial arising from the 2020 Minnesota State election. The selection process involved each party striking judges until a single judge was unanimously agreed upon.

Representative Matters