Presiding Chief Judge Kristie Walsdorf returned home to serve her people after earning her law degree and Certificate in Indian Law from the University of New Mexico School of Law. Licensed in three states and multiple federal courts, she has devoted more than 22 years to the practice of law, trying over 125 jury trials in criminal, matrimonial, and civil matters. Her work has spanned both the private sector and public service.
Beyond the courtroom, Judge Walsdorf has dedicated her career to advocating for those whose voices are too often overlooked — the indigent, minorities, and women. A cancer survivor herself, she brings compassion, resilience, and understanding to her role as a community leader. Fresh out of law school she worked with the Innocence Project, and later in her career secured the exoneration of two wrongfully convicted individuals, and testified as a witness for the ACLU in a federal lawsuit against the State of Texas.
Judge Walsdorf leads the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Court with a commitment to fairness and service. Guided by her values, experience, and dedication to her people, she strives to ensure that the Court is not only a place of justice, but also of healing and respect.