Winona County District Court Welcomes Judge Dwight Luhmann

Attorney Dwight Luhmann is stepping up to serve as Winona County’s District Court judge for Winona County, Minn. Luhmann will replace Honorable Judge Mary Leahy.

Towards the end of May, Governor Tim Walz appointed Luhmann as a Third Judicial District judge for Winona County’s District Court. Luhmann was eating lunch at Keys Cafe in downtown St. Paul when he received the exciting news from Governor Walz. 

Attorney Luhmann took great interest in pursuing this available judgeship position, stating, “I’ve always really liked being in the courtroom.” A judgeship position brings a new challenge where Luhmann can apply over 20 years worth of knowledge. He felt Winona to be a good fit for him and that he looks forward to working with Winona County’s other District Court judge, Honorable Judge Nancy Buytendorp in addition to the other court staff.

As a judge, Luhmann stated it is important for everyone in the court room to feel seen, heard and respected. A goal of his as a judge is to promote public confidence in the judiciary.

Luhmann’s investiture took place Friday, July 12, with his first official day Monday, July 15. As a new judge, he will spend his first few weeks in training which includes shadowing other judges throughout Minnesota’s Third Judicial District. Once October rolls around, Luhmann, along with other new judges appointed within the last six months, will attend a New Judges school.

Prior to his appointment to judgeship, Luhmann ran a practice in Preston, Minn., called Luhmann Law. As an attorney there he practiced civil litigation, criminal defense, personal injury, family law, real estate, probate, and wills and estate planning. Luhmann felt he had many opportunities practicing law in a small rural area compared to a large city such as Minneapolis. He will miss practicing law, but will especially miss the wonderful clients he served.

“I would like someone to come in here and practice!” stated Luhmann, referring to his practice. He had contacted a few peopl, but unfortunately, no one has come in yet. He intends to advertise the practice. Luhmann acknowledged there to be a shortage of attorneys in rural areas and that it is hard to get people to come to a small town. Attorney Lee Novotny of Novotny Law Office in Chatfield, Minn., began taking field calls when attorney Luhmann left. Clients with Luhmann Law were given until July 10 to pick up their files. Luhmann and Novotny have worked closely over the years. 

Luhmann acknowleged his law office’s longtime secretary, Beverly Hagedorn and longtime paralegal, Anne Comstock.

Apart from Luhmann Law, Luhmann also served as the city attorney for Preston and served as a prosecuting attorney the cities of Rushford and Wykoff, Minn. Joe O’Koren from Lanesboro, Minn., will replace Luhmann as Preston’s new city attorney. “Joe will do a great job!” stated Luhmann, who noted he will miss working with the city staff and the meetings.

When not practicing law, Luhmann is actively involved in the community. He has served with EDA (Economic Development Authority) since the early 2000s. At one point he was even EDA’s chair. Luhmann also served on the board for Preston Area Community Foundation.

Judge Luhmann hails from small town Langdon, N. Dak., where both he and his wife grew up. He attended North Dakota State University for his bachelor’s degree, then University of North Dakota-Grand Forks for law school. After law school, he relocated to Minneapolis to work for a small firm.

In 2003, Luhmann and his wife moved from Minneapolis to the Preston area, deciding they wanted to move back to a small town.  “We were looking to get to a rural area,” said Luhmann. “The bike trail was a big draw to us. It was all attractive to us. Our decision to move to Preston was the best decision we ever made!” The small town amenities, streams and outdoors were also an attraction. Luhmann saw an ad for attorney David Joerg’s practice in Preston, where he and Joerg then worked together for quite a few years. When Joerg retired, Luhmann took over the practice which became Luhmann Law.

Judge Luhmann concluded, “I’m very thankful to all my clients here,” and that he was very privileged to have practiced here in southeast Minnesota.