Magnuson to step down as Minnesota chief justice

Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Eric Magnuson plans to step down from his post effective June 30, he announced this afternoon.

“It has been my privilege to serve as chief justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court for the past two years,” Magnuson wrote in a letter to Gov. Tim Pawlenty. “I have found the position to be both challenging and rewarding.

“However, for reasons personal to me and my family, I have decided to step down and return to private practice.”

Magnuson, 59, was named Minnesota’s 21st chief justice in March 2008 by Pawlenty and took office that June.

Before he was appointed chief justice, he was an attorney who practiced in state and federal appellate courts. Earlier in his legal career, he served as a law clerk to Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Robert J. Sheran and a law clerk to former Chief Justice Douglas K. Amdahl, who was a Hennepin County district court judge at the time.

He earned his law degree from William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota.

Pawlenty issued a statement this afternoon praising Magnuson for his service.

“Leading Minnesota’s judicial system and heading our highest court is an extremely important and tough job,” the governor said. “Chief Justice Magnuson has served in this role over the past two years with great diligence, thoughtfulness and fairness. Minnesota thanks him for his service.”

Rep. Debra Hilstrom, DFL-Brooklyn Center, also praised Magnuson at the beginning of a hearing of the House Public Safety Policy and Oversight Division this afternoon.

“He will be truly missed,” Hilstrom said. “It has been a true honor to work with him on the issues of the court.”

Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie also commended Magnuson’s service, specifically mentioning his work on last year’s U.S. Senate recount.

“Chief Justice Eric Magnuson served with great distinction on the state’s highest court,” Ritchie said in a statement. “I am personally grateful to him for answering the call to serve on the State Canvassing Board in 2008.

“His experience and wisdom brought a firmness and grace to the recount proceedings; his faithful service left an indelible mark on Minnesota’s election system.”

One Response to “Magnuson to step down as Minnesota chief justice”

1. SharonScarrellaAnderson Says:
   March 11th, 2010 at 2:18 pm

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