

Published in the Eden Prairie News, July 3, 2014 and on-line July 2, 2014
Aho files for district judge seat
Posted: Wednesday, July 2, 2014 3:06 pm
Beverly Aho, an Eden Prairie resident and wife of Eden Prairie Council member Brad Aho, is running for Hennepin County District Judge, Seat 61. This in an open seat that is currently held by Judge Robert Small, who is not seeking re-election. Aho is an active volunteer in Eden Prairie, and serves on the board of directors of the Eden Prairie Community Foundation, is a member of the Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce, and an Eden Prairie Lioness.
Aho says that she is passionate about Hennepin County and would be honored to serve residents and businesses as a judge. She brings more than 25 years of experience working for Fortune 500 companies and small businesses in Hennepin County. “I have also been blessed to live in wonderful communities throughout our county for more than 30 years and to have raised our three children here with my husband, Brad,” she said. “Friends and colleagues encouraged me to run for this open seat and to bring my legal, life, family and 25-plus years of business experience to the bench, which will enable me to be an asset to the more than half-million cases filed in our 4th Judicial District each year.”
In addition to a law degree, Aho has an M.B.A. from the University of Minnesota, a B.A. with a double-major in computational math and chemistry from Albion College, co-founded a technology company with her husband, Brad, and is currently employed as a litigation, business and real estate attorney with the James Gilbert Law Group, in Eden Prairie.
Judicial races are nonpartisan, and every registered voter who lives in Hennepin County can vote for Judge in the primary. The top two vote-getters from the primary on Aug. 12, will go on to the general election in November. There are five candidates running for Seat 61. Absentee voting has already begun.
PRESS RELEASE
Beverly Aho, an Eden Prairie resident and wife of Councilmember Brad Aho, is running for Hennepin County District Court Judge, Seat 61. This seat is currently held by Judge Robert Small, who is not seeking re-election.
Aho is a civil litigation, real estate and business law attorney, with both an M.B.A. from the University of Minnesota and a J.D. from Hamline University School of Law. She is employed as an attorney with the James H. Gilbert Law Group, PLLC, in Eden Prairie.
Judicial races are non-partisan, and every registered voter who lives in Hennepin County can vote for Judge in the primary. The top two vote-getters from the primary on August 12, will go on to the general election in November.
Aho believes the depth and breadth of her experience will serve Hennepin County well, as will her commitment and dedication to a fair, ethical and respectful process. “By the time parties enter a courtroom, whether regarding a family law, criminal or civil dispute, they have often already attempted to resolve their issues through other means of resolution. When they enter the court, it is because they truly seek and need the transparent and impartial process that our judicial system offers, and with a dedicated, unbiased, trier-of-fact making determinations after hearing all of the evidence. I am committed to keeping Hennepin County District Courts among the best in the nation, and will ensure that all parties are heard in a fair and impartial manner. I will devote my full attention to every detail that comes into the courtroom, and will treat all parties, attorneys, staff, jurors and others, with the dignity and respect that our process demands and deserves. I am committed to the highest of standards of work ethic and integrity, which will serve our County well.”
Aho says that civil trials are often heard by the “bench” – or by the judge, without a jury. As an experienced business person working for both Fortune 500 and small companies in Minnesota, Aho believes that experience, combined with her real estate and legal experience, will allow her to serve Hennepin County residents, businesses and other entities well. By understanding the deep and complex issues often involved in civil disputes, Aho believes this experience will be an asset as a Hennepin County Judge.
Aho believes her experiences will also assist a fair jury trial. “While a right to a trial by a jury of our peers is fundamental to our society, it is also true that judges play a critical role in that process. Judges are called upon to make crucial decisions before, during and after trial, and every party deserves to have a judge who has the experience, commitment, and knowledge to understand the deep issues, to pay attention to every detail, and someone who is committed to ensuring a respectful, fair and impartial process. I pledge that deep commitment to our judicial process in Hennepin County, and respectfully ask for your vote on August 12.”