JaPaul Harris

Education:
B.A., Syracuse University, 2000.
J.D., Hamline University School of Law, 2003.
University of Minnesota, Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, Policy Fellows Program (2007 - 2008)

Prior Legal Experience:
Judicial Referee, Hennepin County District Court (Fourth Judicial District)
Juvenile Court (2015- 2018);
Civil (Housing Court, Harassment Court 2012 – 2017);
Criminal (Petty Misdemeanor Court Trials 2012 – 2017);
Mental Health Civil Commitment April 2014 – 2016).
Adjunct Professor, William Mitchell College of Law (now Mitchell Hamline College of Law).
Managing/Supervising Attorney, Mid Minnesota Legal Aid.
Minneapolis Public School District.
Staff Attorney, Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services.
Professional Membership:
Minnesota State Bar Association
Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers
Hennepin County Bar Association
Minnesota District Judges Association
American Judges Association
Current Professional and Community Activities:
Board Member, Criminal Defense Services, Inc.
Board Member, Volunteer Lawyers Network
Minnesota Supreme Committee for Equality and Justice:
Committee Member (January 2014 - Present);
Education Subcommittee Chair (September 2015 – Present)
Youth Athletics Coach, Saint Paul Parks and Recreation;
Past Professional and Community Activities:
National Consortium on Racial and Ethnic Fairness in the Courts 2018 National Conference Planning Committee Education Subcommittee Co-Chair.
Former Committee Member, Fourth Judicial District Equal Justice Committee;
Former Member, Hennepin County Juvenile Detention Alternative Initiative (JDAI);
Saint Paul Earned Safe and Sick Leave Taskforce, Co-Chair;
Saint Paul Human Rights Commission:
Commission Chair (October 2010 – January 2018);
Commissioner February 2007 – October 2010)
Former Member of the Minnesota Supreme Court Racial Fairness Committee;
Former Member of the Minnesota State Board on Aging.