Minnesota Court of Appeals Judge Christopher Dietzen is to be elevated to the state Supreme Court to replace departing Justice Sam Hanson. Gov. Tim Pawlenty made the announcement at a press conference earlier this afternoon.
Dietzen, who formerly served as legal counsel for Pawlenty, was an attorney with Larkin Hoffman Daly & Lindgren in Bloomington for 16 years, where Dietzen specialized in complex commercial litigation, with an emphasis on real estate and valuation disputes.
Pawlenty opted not to appoint a screening committee to vet candidates for the high court seat.
Dietzen, who formerly served as legal counsel for Pawlenty, was an attorney with Larkin Hoffman Daly & Lindgren in Bloomington for 16 years, where Dietzen specialized in complex commercial litigation, with an emphasis on real estate and valuation disputes.
Pawlenty opted not to appoint a screening committee to vet candidates for the high court seat.
3 comments:
What a shock! Another political crony appointed to the courts. Too bad the Governor didn't seek to diversify the highest court.
I too am disappointed that the governor did see fit to take advantage of this final opportunity in his term to add more diversity to the high court.
While I have no personal objection to Judge Dietzen, who has served faithfully on the state Court of Appeals since 2004, there were many equally qualified diverse candidates who lacked only Dietzen's close ties to the governor. For that reason, this appointment strikes me as an opportunity lost.
Very insightful. Thank you for your broad perspective.
Post a Comment