Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Minnesota Supreme Court Associate Justice Russell A. Anderson as Chief Justice.  The position is open due to the resignation of Chief Justice Kathleen A. Blatz effective January 10, 2006.

The Governor also announced the appointment of Hennepin County District Court Judge Lorie S. Gildea as an Associate Justice on the Minnesota Supreme Court and the appointment of attorney Kevin G. Ross to the Minnesota Court of Appeals. 

"Justice Anderson is an extraordinary jurist," Governor Pawlenty said.  "He is well-respected, hardworking, intelligent and will lead our state's highest court with integrity and thoughtfulness."

Anderson was appointed to the Ninth District Court by Governor Al Quie in 1983.  He was subsequently appointed to the Minnesota Supreme Court by Governor Arne Carlson in 1998 and was reelected to the court in 2000.  Prior to serving on the bench, Anderson was the Beltrami County Attorney from 1978 to 1982.  He was in private practice in Bemidji from 1976 to 1982.  His first legal experience came while in military service.  Lieutenant Commander Anderson served in the Judge Advocate General's Corp of the U.S. Navy.  He acted as prosecutor and defense attorney for general and lesser courts-martial, as military judge for special and summary court-martial, and as civil and criminal staff attorney in the Office of Judge Advocate General, Washington, D.C.

Anderson earned a Master of Laws from George Washington University in 1977, his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Minnesota in 1968, and his Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Olaf College in 1964.  He has been a leader in a variety of posts, including Chief Judge of the Ninth Judicial District and Vice Chair of the Conference of Chief Judges.  He also served as a member of his school district's education foundation, president of his church council, and member of the Lion's Club and American Legion. 

Anderson, 63, was born in Bemidji.  He and his wife, Kristin, have three adult children.

The Governor named Hennepin County District Court Judge Lorie Gildea to the open Associate Justice position on the Minnesota Supreme Court.  She was appointed to her current position by Governor Pawlenty in September 2005.  Previously she served as an Assistant Hennepin County Attorney since 2004.

Gildea was associate general counsel for the University of Minnesota from 1993 to 2004, and an associate attorney with the law firm of Arent Fox in Washington, D.C. from 1986 to 1993.  Gildea earned her Juris Doctorate degree magna cum laude from Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C. in 1986 and Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota, Morris in 1983.  While in law school Gildea achieved high academic honors, including election to the Order of the Coif.  She also served as an editor of the American Criminal Law Review.

"Judge Gildea has the intellect and common sense to serve our state with excellence," Governor Pawlenty said.  "In her previous posts she has handled difficult and sensitive cases with professionalism and fairness.  She will be an excellent addition to our Supreme Court."

Gildea is a member of the Minnesota State Bar Association and serves on its Council, Assembly, and Civil Litigation Section Governing Council.  She had been a member of its Diversity Committee.  Gildea is also a member of the Hennepin County Bar Association and served on its Board of Directors.  She has been a member of the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission, MINNCOR Industries Advisory Board, and the YWCA of Minneapolis Board of Directors.

Gildea, 44, grew up in Plummer and resides in Minneapolis with her husband, Andrew. 

The Governor appointed attorney Kevin Ross to the Minnesota Court of Appeals.  The vacancy was created due to the retirement of Judge Robert Schumacher on September 9, 2005.  The position requires appointment of an attorney who resides in the Third Congressional District.

Ross is a partner at the Minneapolis law firm Greene Espel.  He joined the firm in 1997 and his law practice has focused in the areas of constitutional law, employment consultation and litigation, and general litigation.

Before studying and practicing law, Ross enforced it as a police officer from 1987 to 1992 with the Iowa City Police Department.  He left that position to attend law school.  Ross received both his Juris Doctorate, with high distinction, and Bachelor of Arts degrees from the University of Iowa.  Graduating law school in 1994, Ross served as a judicial clerk to Chief Judge Paul Magnuson on the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota and then to Judge Donald Lay on the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. 

Ross served as a member of the Federal Local Rules Committee for the Minnesota district and the Federal Practice Committee from 1997 to 2005.  He is a former member of the Board of Directors of Christ's Church in Minneapolis, and presently serves as President of Park Avenue United Methodist Men. 

"Kevin Ross' extraordinary character and experience will make him an excellent judge on our Court of Appeals," Governor Pawlenty said.  "His wide understanding of issues from constitutional law to labor arbitration to employment law will serve our state well."

Ross, 42, was born in St. Louis.  He lives in Minnetonka with his wife, Michon, who is a native of St. Paul.  They have five children.