The bench in Minnesota is about to change as Justice G. Barry Anderson is set to hang up his robe after nearly two decades on the state's Supreme Court. Announcing his retirement, Anderson's departure on May 10 was confirmed in a letter to Gov. Tim Walz, as reported by CBS News Minnesota. His retirement signals the end of the line for the court's longest-serving current justice and marks the wrap-up of an extensive career commenced upon his appointment by a Republican governor.
Appointed back in 2004 by then-Governor Tim Pawlenty, Anderson is also known for his six-year tenure on the Court of Appeals prior. As he turns 70 in October, he hits the state's mandatory retirement age for justices, MPR News reported. In his letter, he expressed "the greatest admiration for my colleagues on the Minnesota Supreme Court," and that the work's reward came with its challenges.
Governor Walz has publicly thanked Anderson for his dedication, recognizing his enduring legacy and stating he "has worked tirelessly to uphold the integrity and fairness of our justice system." As one of the state's longest-serving justices, Walz notes, Anderson leaves the Supreme Court fortified by his commitment to the law and the institution.
Details about the process to fill Anderson's soon-to-be-vacant seat are forthcoming, with Gov. Walz set to lay them out in the weeks ahead. Since his term began, Walz named two justices and raised a third to chief justice in 2023. The upcoming change on the bench is a continuation of the evolving court landscape, which has seen shifts in makeup following four consecutive governors' races won by Democrats.
In addition to his judicial duties, Anderson has kept up an interest in civic engagement, with ventures including hosting a public television show "Your Legislators," and he's voiced his passion for Minnesota sports, often airing out his elation or frustrations over the Minnesota Vikings and Twins online. Having once served on a court that featured three justices sharing his last name, Anderson once faced the quirk of a possible "Anderson majority," MPR News cheekily noted.
Justice Anderson will deliver his final remarks during a ceremonial admission of new lawyers at the state Capitol, a fitting finale for a respected figure in Minnesota's legal framework, according to Anderson in his retirement announcement. He stated, "I cannot imagine a better or more appropriate way to mark the end of my service on the court."
