Lisa Nelson Borgen graduated from Moorhead High School in 1980. While at Moorhead High, she participated in volleyball, track and Student Council. She earned her Licensed Practical Nursing diploma from North Dakota State College of Science, Wahpeton, in 1982. Borgen completed a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Minnesota State University Moorhead in 1993 and her Juris Doctorate from the University of North Dakota School of Law in 1996.

Borgen worked as a licensed practical nurse at St. Luke’s Hospital in Fargo, N.D., from 1982-86. From 1984-92, she was a sales consultant and manager at Dayton’s Department Store in Fargo.

After completing her law degree, she opened Borgen Law Office in Moorhead, practicing in criminal defense, family law and as a contract attorney for the 7th Judicial District Public Defender’s Office. Borgen was elected Clay County attorney in 1998 and 2002. Borgen served as Clay County attorney until 2006 when Governor Tim Pawlenty appointed her to the 7th Judicial District Court Bench. She was elected to her current judicial term in 2008.

After becoming a judge, Borgen implemented the Clay/Becker Drug Court and serves as judge for both courts. She is planning a Domestic Violence Court to be implemented this fall. Borgen serves as the Child Protection Judge for all cases in Clay County and as the Truancy Court Judge. Recently, Borgen was appointed by the Chief Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court to serve on Minnesota’s Judicial Council, the governing body for the Judicial Branch. She is a member of the Minnesota District Judges Association and served on the board of directors from 2009-11.

Borgen is active with the Children’s Justice Initiative, Clay County Law Library, Clay County Bar Association and Fargo-Moorhead YMCA. She speaks at DARE graduations, is a Spud Booster, coordinated three reunions for the Class of 1980 and is a member of St. Joseph’s Church, Moorhead. Borgen has received several awards, including YWCA Woman of the Year, Rainbow Bridge Attorney of the Year and service awards from the Clay County Sheriff’s Department, Moorhead Police Department, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and U.S. Attorney of North Dakota.

Lisa has been married to her husband, Brad, for 29 years. They live in Moorhead and have four children, Michael, Isaac, CeCelia and Jaidyn.

Update: After serving seven years as a district judge for Minnesota’s 7th Judicial District, Borgen joined Vogel Law Firm in November 2013. On June 16, 2014, Borgen became vice president for administration for American Crystal Sugar in Moorhead.