Gov. Tim Walz has ordered that all U.S. and Minnesota flags at state buildings be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Tuesday, Aug. 11, in recognition of the life and public service of former Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Esther M. Tomljanovich.
Statewide observance and legacy
The proclamation asks state agencies and other public entities to lower flags on Tuesday as a formal sign of mourning and respect. The action follows the death of Tomljanovich, a jurist whose career spanned roles in state government, the judiciary and legal advocacy.
"Justice T was more than just a talented jurist; she was a trailblazer for women, lawyers, and students throughout her life," Gov. Walz said. "She led with kindness, warmth, and generosity, serving the state and Minnesota Supreme Court with pride."
Tomljanovich’s path to the bench reflected both regional roots and steady advancement through Minnesota’s legal ranks. She grew up on the Iron Range before attending St. Paul College of Law. Early in her career she worked in the Office of the Revisor of Statutes, ultimately serving as assistant revisor and then head revisor.
Judicial milestones
Her judicial career began with an appointment by Gov. Rudy Perpich to a judgeship in Minnesota’s Tenth Judicial District in 1977. She later served as an associate justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court for eight years. Perpich’s appointments made her one of the earliest women to hold judicial office in the state: the second woman judge appointed in Minnesota and the third woman to sit on the state’s high court.
| Role | Notes |
|---|---|
| Assistant Revisor / Head Revisor | Worked in the Office of the Revisor of Statutes prior to judicial appointments |
| Judge, Tenth Judicial District | Appointed in 1977 by Gov. Rudy Perpich |
| Associate Justice, Minnesota Supreme Court | Served eight years on the state’s highest court |
Advocacy for women and legal reform
Beyond courtroom rulings and statutory work, Tomljanovich remained active in efforts to advance women within the legal profession. She helped establish the Minnesota Women Lawyers organization and served on the Committee on the Status of Women. Her record includes work to promote pay equity and to strengthen protections for women under the Minnesota Human Rights Act, where she advocated that women be recognized as a protected class.
Her role in founding and promoting organizations aimed at supporting women lawyers marked a significant part of her contribution to the profession, particularly at a time when few women occupied the highest legal positions in Minnesota.
How citizens and organizations can participate
In asking that flags be lowered, the governor’s office encouraged participation beyond state buildings. Individuals, businesses and other groups are invited to lower their flags on Tuesday as a mark of respect for Tomljanovich’s service.
- Flags should be lowered from sunrise to sunset on Tuesday, Aug. 11.
- Any public or private organization wishing to join the observance may do so voluntarily.
- The proclamation applies to both U.S. and Minnesota flags at state facilities.
The order formalizes a moment of statewide recognition for a jurist whose career intersected government service, judicial leadership and advocacy for women in law. Communities across Minnesota — from the Iron Range where she was raised to the Twin Cities and state government offices — will observe the half-staff order as a public acknowledgment of her role in shaping the state’s legal landscape.
State officials have not yet released details about memorial services. Updates on public ceremonies or additional official remembrances will likely come from the governor’s office or the Minnesota Supreme Court in the days ahead.
