Judge Cuzzo reflects on time behind the bench in Cook County
Earlier this month, the office of Gov. Tim Walz officially announced the retirement of Judge Michael Cuzzo.
The lone judge who serves on the North Shore of Lake Superior, Cuzzo is set to retire Oct. 2.
Cuzzo is the judge in Cook County and in nearby Lake County, with the county seats in Grand Marais and Two Harbors, respectively. He has been the judge in both counties for more than 12 years. Cuzzo was first elected for the 6th Judicial District in 2010.
In a press release sent to WTIP Aug. 9, the Minnesota Commission on Judicial Selection formally announced a search for Cuzzo’s successor, asking interested attorneys to submit applications by Aug. 30. Interviews are expected to occur in late September, after which the panel typically recommends three finalists to Gov. Tim Walz.
WTIP’s Joe Friedrichs spoke with Cuzzo in late August about his time serving as a judge in Cook County. Cuzzo shared sentiments about being a judge in a small community, some of the things he is proudest of during his tenure, and what comes next in retirement. Listen to the full interview in the audio below.
Joe Friedrichs August 27, 2023
