Before becoming a judge, Tostrud was Of Counsel with Lockridge Grindal Nauen P.L.L.P. Tostrud previously practiced at that firm full-time before becoming an academic. During his 26 years with the firm, he maintained a complex commercial litigation practice almost exclusively in federal court, with emphasis in the areas of complex insurance coverage, health care litigation, and ERISA. Tostrud serves on the full-time faculty at Mitchell Hamline School of Law as the Distinguished Practitioner in Residence. He teaches in the areas of federal jurisdiction and federal-court procedure.[1]
Federal judicial service
On February 12, 2018, President Donald Trump announced his intent to nominate Tostrud to an undetermined seat on the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota after being recommended to the Trump administration by then-Congressman Erik Paulsen.[2] On February 15, 2018, his nomination was sent to the Senate. Tostrud was nominated to the seat vacated by Judge Donovan W. Frank, who assumed senior status on October 31, 2016.[3] On April 11, 2018, a hearing on his nomination was held before the Senate Judiciary Committee.[4] On May 10, 2018, his nomination was reported out of committee by a voice vote.[5] On September 6, 2018, his nomination was confirmed by voice vote.[3] He received his judicial commission on September 10, 2018.[6]
