Edina Resident Appointed to Minnesota Supreme Court

Edina Attorney David Lillehaug has ascended all the way to the Minnesota Supreme Court, as Gov. Mark Dayton announced Tuesday, Mar. 26, that Lillehaug will replace Justice Paul Anderson later this year.

Lillehaug—who served as Minnesota's U.S. Attorney and has represented a number of prominent DFLers during recounts, including U.S. Sen. Al Franken and Dayton—is a Harvard graduate who most recently has been focused on public law and complex litigation at Minneapolis law firm Fredrikson & Byron.

During a press conference announcing Lillehaug's appointment, Dayton referred to the Edina resident as "one of the most brilliant minds [he has] ever encountered."

"Yet he can also put very complex legal issues into very understandable writings," Dayton said. "His diligence, preparation and professionalism were always impeccable."

Dayton said he expects Lillehaug to carry forward "high standards" established by Justice Anderson, expressing confidence his new appointee will be a great addition to the state's high court.

Lillehaug said he was "deeply honored" by Gov. Dayton's appointment.

"Upon taking the bench, like other lawyers who have joined this marvelous Court, I will leave behind the world of advocacy and swear an oath to be fair and impartial," Lillehaug said. "And I will abide by that solemn oath."

Lillehaug will replace Justice Anderson, who will be retiring from the Bench at the end of May. Anderson has served as Associate Justice on the Supreme Court since 1994.

He and his wife, Winifred Smith, call Edina home. The same goes for his father, .

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