[3] She earned a Master of Arts degree in political theory from the University of Oxford.

[4] Ericksen began her legal career working in private practice from 1981 to 1983.

She was a judge on the 4th Judicial District Court for Hennepin County, Minnesota, from 1995 to 1998.

[5] Ericksen was nominated to the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota by President George W. Bush on January 23, 2002, to the seat vacated by Judge Paul A. Magnuson.

Ericksen was confirmed by the Senate by a 99–0 vote on April 25, 2002, and received her commission on May 1, 2002.