St. James – Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Gregory J. Anderson to a Fifth Judicial District trial court bench vacancy certified by the Supreme Court for chambers in the city of St. James in Watonwan County. The vacancy occurred with the retirement of the Honorable David E. Christensen on March 4, 2008.

Anderson is an assistant Fifth Judicial District public defender in Mankato, a position he has held since 1994. Previously, he was an assistant Mankato city attorney from 1989 to 1994, and a Fifth Judicial District law clerk in Mankato from 1987 to 1989. Anderson earned his juris doctorate degree from the University of Minnesota in 1987, and his bachelor of arts degree from the University of Minnesota College of Liberal Arts in 1984.

“Greg has a depth and breadth of practice that encompasses the bulk of the court’s caseload,” Governor Pawlenty said. “He is respected by lawyers and judges for his even temperament and strong work ethic, and is dedicated to serving his community, especially youth.”

Anderson is a member of the Mankato Area Youth Symphony board, where he served as president in 2006; is an assistant scoutmaster and fund-raising chair of Boy Scout Troop 29; is a Sunday School teacher in Belgrade Avenue United Methodist Church; and serves on the Board of Ordained Ministries of the Minnesota Annual Conference of United Methodist Churches. He has also been a Cub Scout Pack 98 Den Leader and Pack Leader, and has been a youth soccer, basketball, t-ball, and baseball coach. Anderson, 46, was born in Golden Valley, and lives in North Mankato with his wife, Debra, and their three sons, Tyler, 19, Ben, 16, and Jordan, 13.