Dayton names Lillehaug to Minn. Supreme Court
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Gov. Mark Dayton has appointed former U.S. Attorney David Lillehaug to the Minnesota Supreme Court.
Lillehaug has been linked to Democratic candidates and DFL causes over the past few decades but he says he'll leave that behind when he's sworn in as a justice in May.
• Video: Lillehaug discusses Supreme Court appointment
"Like other lawyers who have joined this marvelous court, my life has changed for good," Lillehaug said. "I will leave behind the world of advocacy and I will swear a solemn oath to be fair and impartial. I will swear to apply the law without fear or favor."
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Lillehaug served as Dayton's attorney in the 2010 gubernatorial recount against Republican Tom Emmer. He also represented Sen. Al Franken, and worked for former Sen. Walter Mondale.
Lillehaug also successfully sued the state over its handgun permit law. The decision in that case allowed churches to ban guns on their property.
He also helped in the legal effort to overturn then-Gov. Tim Pawlenty's decision to unilaterally enact spending cuts in 2009.
Lillehaug will replace Justice Paul Anderson, who will reach the mandatory retirement age of 70 in May.
