Watson, David Gordon
Jud AttorneySupreme CourtRamsey CountyFull-time
Lawyers Prof Resp Bd. Minnesota state employee pay history, from State of Minnesota salary data.
Pay by fiscal year
Total paid across all records in each year, overtime included, compared with consumer prices.
From FY 2016 to FY 2026, pay went down 3% while consumer prices went up 38%. After inflation, pay is down 29% (it fell behind inflation).
| Year | Paid | Change | Prices (CPI) | After inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY 2026 | $43,833 | — | — | — |
| FY 2017 | $49,648 | +10.3% | +1.8% | +8.3% |
| FY 2016 | $45,031 | — | — | — |
Each change compares a year with the one before. Large swings usually come from a partial year, extra hours or a change of job rather than a raise. Prices: Consumer Price Index (CPI-U, U.S. city average) from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, averaged July to June; FY 2026 uses 11 months because October 2025 was not published.
Compared with the same job title
FY 2026 · Jud Attorney
Paid more than 0% of the 16 people with this job title that year. The median was $103,107.
Uses the amount paid in the year, so partial years and part-time positions read low.
See everyone with this job titleEvery record
3 records, newest first
| FY | Agency | Job title | County | Base pay | Overtime | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Supreme Court Lawyers Prof Resp Bd | Jud Attorney Full-time | Ramsey | $49.81 /hr | — | $43,833 |
| 2017 | Trial Courts 7th Mille Lacs Judge | Jud District Court Law Clerk Full-time · left during year | Mille Lacs | $24.82 /hr | — | $49,648 |
| 2016 | Trial Courts 7th Mille Lacs Judge | Jud District Court Law Clerk Full-time | Mille Lacs | $23.26 /hr | — | $45,031 |
The state reports one pay total per person per year, covering all of their positions, so it appears on one of that year’s lines and the others show no separate pay.
Highest paid in Supreme Court
FY 2026, amount paid
- Shorba, Jeffrey G$248,651Jud State Court Administrator
- Hudson, Natalie E$236,429Jud SC Chief Justice
- Humiston, Susan Marie$228,456Jud Dir Lawyers Responsib Bo
- Torgerson, Dawn M$224,900Jud Dep State Court Admin
- Ostdiek, Daniel Michael$221,545Jud Dir Finance
- Gaitas, Theodora Karin$214,935Jud SC Associate Justice
- Hennesy, Sarah Elisabeth$214,935Jud SC Associate Justice
- McKeig, Anne K$214,935Jud SC Associate Justice
Highest paid as Jud Attorney
FY 2026, amount paid
- O'Leary, Jenifer Jo$119,104Supreme Court
- Miller, Monica Jean$118,710Supreme Court
- Socha, Meridith J.O.$117,158Supreme Court
- Dordel III, Arthur John$110,962Supreme Court
- Vanden Hanen, Rebecca Ann$109,536Supreme Court
- Guilford, Caitlin$108,733Supreme Court
- Kowarski, Rachel Furniss$107,436Supreme Court
- Ambroson, Joseph Arthur$105,781Supreme Court