Molly Hicken
Cook County Assistant County Attorney Molly Hicken, who has been fulfilling the duties of county attorney since County Attorney Tim Scannell left his office on medical leave on October 13, 2013, announced her candidacy for county attorney on Wednesday, April 23.
After seven years as the assistant county attorney, Hicken said she would be honored to serve as Cook County’s chief prosecutor and adviser.
Since 2011, Hicken has fulfilled obligations beyond the designated responsibilities of the assistant county attorney, maintaining the entire criminal and juvenile caseloads, while at times running the county attorney’s office and serving as legal adviser for county department heads and the board of commissioners.
In 2012, Hicken was the recipient of the Medal of Commendation from the Minnesota Sheriff ’s Association and the Community Service Award from the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office for the actions she took during the courthouse shooting on December 15, 2011. She was recognized for her efforts to save the life of County Attorney Scannell and others after a near fatal attack by a recently convicted defendant.
In her time in the county attorney’s office, Hicken has gained extensive experience prosecuting crime from the petty misdemeanor level up to serious felonies.
Hicken was admitted to the Minnesota State Bar in 2007. She is a graduate of Cornell College and Northwestern School of Law of Lewis and Clark College. She is a fourth generation property owner in Cook County with a home in Lutsen where she and her husband Paul Nordlund are raising their one-year-old twins.
In addition to serving as assistant county attorney, Hicken also serves on the board of WTIP Community Radio and has been active in community theater with the Grand Marais Playhouse.
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