JudicialFinder
A state court of last resort / Established 1930

Minnesota Supreme Court

St. Paul · A court of last resort in Minnesota.

The Minnesota Supreme Court is the highest court in Minnesota. Its justices are chosen by nonpartisan election. This page lists every justice to serve on the court, current and former, with when they joined the bench and whom they succeeded.

49
Justices in history
7
On record as serving
Nonpartisan
Selection
6-yr
Term

Roster as of the CourtListener bulk-data snapshot (2026-03-31): recent departures and appointments may not be reflected, so it is shown as “on record,” not “currently serving.”

Justices on record

Former justices

JusticeYears
Eric J. Magnuson2008–2010
Sam Hanson2002–2008
Helen M. Meyer2002–2012
Russell A. Anderson1998–2008
James H. Gilbert1998–2004
Joan Ericksen Lancaster1998–2002
Kathleen A. Blatz1996–2006
Paul H. Anderson1994–2013
Edward C. Stringer1994–2002
Sandra Gardebring Ogren1991–1998
Esther Tomljanovich1990–1998
Peter M. Keith1989–1998
Peter S. Popovich1987–1990
Mary Jeanne Coyne1982–1996
Glenn E. Kelley1981–1990
John E. Simonett1981–1994
Douglas K. Amdahl1980–1989
Rosalie E. Wahl1977–1994
George M. Scott1973–1987
Lawrence R. Yetka1973–1993
Harry Hunter MacLaughlin1972–1977
John J. Todd1972–1985
Fallon Kelly1970–1980
C Donald Peterson1967–1986
Robert J. Sheran1963–1981
Walter F. Rogosheske1962–1980
James C. Otis1961–1982
Lee Loevinger1960–1961
William P. Murphy1955–1972
Roger L. Dell1953–1962
Martin A. Nelson1953–1972
Theordore Christianson1950–1955
Oscar R. Knutson1948–1973
Frank T. Gallagher1947–1963
William C. Christianson1946–1946
Leroy E. Matson1945–1960
Thomas F. Gallagher1943–1967
Clarence R. Magney1943–1953
Henry M. Gallagher1937–1944
Harry H. Peterson1936–1950
Julius J. Olson1934–1948
Charles Loring1930–1953

How a justice reaches this court. Justices of the Minnesota Supreme Court are chosen in nonpartisan elections to 6-year terms. Midterm vacancies are filled by gubernatorial appointment, after which the justice runs in the next nonpartisan election. Selection methods vary by jurisdiction and have changed over time; this page reflects the court’s current method (source: National Center for State Courts). Open any justice to see their tenure and whom they succeeded.

Source: CourtListener / Free Law Project (bulk data); selection method from the National Center for State Courts. Data as of 2026-03-31 (CourtListener bulk snapshot). Verify against the primary source before relying. Not a consumer report (FCRA).