ST. PAUL, Minn. (Legal Newsline) -- The names of three candidates have been sent to Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton for consideration to fill the upcoming vacancy on the state Supreme Court.
Justice Paul H. Anderson is retiring from the court at the end of May.
Anderson, who served as chief judge of the state Court of Appeals prior to his seat on the state's high court, served as a justice for nearly 20 years.
The state's Commission on Judicial Selection announced Tuesday it is recommending candidates Edward J. Cleary, Natalie E. Hudson and David L. Lillehaug to Dayton to take Anderson's seat on the bench.
Cleary currently sits on the state Court of Appeals as judge for the Fourth Congressional District. He previously served as judge and assistant chief judge for the Second Judicial District.
From 1997-2002, Cleary served as the director of the Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility, and prior to that practiced law for 20 years, concentrating on criminal defense and civil litigation.
He is a past president of the Ramsey County Bar Association and served on the Minnesota State Bar Association Governing Council.
In addition, he served as an adjunct professor at the University of Minnesota Law School from 2000-12.
Hudson currently sits on the state Court of Appeals as an at-large judge. Prior to her appointment to the Court of Appeals, she served as an assistant attorney general in the Criminal Appeals and Health Licensing Divisions.
Hudson also has served as the city attorney for the city of St. Paul, and was the assistant dean of student affairs at the Hamline University School of Law.
She is a member of the American Bar Association's Judicial Division and is a member of the Minnesota Women Lawyers Advisory Board.
Former U.S. Attorney Lillehaug is an officer and shareholder with Fredrikson and Byron P.A., and is active in pro bono work.
His 30-year litigation practice focuses on public law and complex cases -- civil, criminal and administrative -- with a particular emphasis on state and federal constitutional issues.
As U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota, he was the federal government's chief prosecutor and civil lawyer in the state and worked closely with all federal investigative agencies.
Currently, he serves on three non-profit boards and on the Minnesota State Bar Association's Mock Trial Program Advisory Committee.
Dayton's office said in a statement Tuesday that the governor's appointment will be made "after he completes the interview process."
From Legal Newsline: Reach Jessica Karmasek by email at jessica@legalnewsline.com.
Two appeals court judges, former U.S. attorney final three candidates for Minn. SC
