By: Brian Arola

In a Tuesday press conference, Gov. Mark Dayton announced David Lillehaug, a DFL lawyer, will fill the soon-to-be vacant spot on the Minnesota Supreme Court.

Lillehaug, who in the past represented the University of Minnesota, will replace Justice Paul Anderson, who will step down in May after reaching the mandatory retirement age.

Dayton said Lillehaug was one of three candidates for a previous Supreme Court opening and was chosen this time through a separate process.

Lillehaug said his work ethic will help him make the transition from trial court to the bench.

“Anyone who knows me… knows that when I focus on something I really throw myself into it,” he said.

Appointing justices with partisan pasts is nothing new to the highest court in Minnesota, but Lillehaug’s connections to the DFL run deep. The Capitol Report profiled him in 2011, calling him “the DFL’s man on the inside.”

He represented both U.S. Sen. Al Franken and Dayton in their recounts and the DFL Party during last year’s redistricting.

Anderson said having a justice with a political background ensures people know where the justice — who they can vote for or against — will stand on issues.

“I applaud the background of the new justice, because that’s what we need in the court,” he said.

Lillehaug has also worked with the University in the past, preparing reports on independent investigations.

A Harvard Law School graduate, Lillehaug said he will look at cases with a balanced eye. He joked that his college debate team experience will help him — and possibly inspire friendly post-decision discussions — with fellow debate teamer on the bench, Justice G. Barry Anderson.

Lillehaug said one of the first things he’s looking forward to as a justice is accepting Chief Lorie Skjerven Gildea’s invitation to meet and discuss law.

Although just named to the court, Lillehaug will be up for re-election in 2014. He said he hopes to serve until he reaches the mandatory retirement age.