County Attorney Molly Hicken and her husband Paul Nordlund attended the Minnesota County Attorneys Association (MCAA) awards banquet at the Minneapolis Hilton on Thursday, December 4, where Hicken was presented with the MCAA Meritorious Service Award.
On December 3-5, the Minnesota County Attorneys Association (MCAA) held its 37th annual meeting at the Hilton Minneapolis. On Thursday, December 4, an awards banquet was held and Cook County Attorney Molly Hicken was named the 2014 recipient of the MCAA Meritorious Service Award.
The MCAA selects five award winners (Johnson Distinguished Service Award, Award of Excellence, Meritorious Service Award, and Public Service Award, the Professional Achievement Award) from nominations across the state. The Meritorious Service Award honors an MCAA member show has demonstrated leadership in his or her office or has served in key roles in the MCAA governance structure.
Hicken was recognized for her heroic actions during the courthouse shooting on December 15, 2011 and for her bravery in returning to work as assistant county attorney in the same office where the shooting occurred less than a week later.
The explanation of the award noted that since that time Hicken has stepped up to fulfill obligations far beyond the designated responsibilities of the assistant county attorney, maintaining the entire criminal and juvenile caseloads, serving as legal advisor for department heads and the board of commissioners, and running the County Attorney’s Office while then-County Attorney Tim Scannell was on medical leave because of his near-fatal injuries.
Outgoing MCAA President David Hauser and incoming President Katherine Heaney presented the award. Hauser said, “Anyone who does the work of a county attorney knows that it cannot be done without a team effort. Hicken will not claim all the credit for keeping the Cook County Attorney’s Office operating in the last three years.”
Hicken credited Assistant County Attorney Jeanne Monson and Secretary/ Receptionist Nancy Haarmeyer, who carried more than their fair share of responsibility and were “consistent, reliable and supportive over the last three years in a difficult working environment.”
Hauser said, “It would be an understatement to say that Molly has weathered some challenging times in her role as assistant county attorney. However, because of her sheer determination, constant perseverance and positive can-do attitude, she has come out on top.”
The Minnesota County Attorneys Association is an independent, voluntary organization of county attorneys dedicated to improving the quality of justice in the State of Minnesota. The organization provides training and organizational services to county attorneys’ offices throughout Minnesota.
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