Sam Hanson

Samuel Lee Hanson^[1] (born August 26, 1939) is an American lawyer and judge from the state of Minnesota. He served on the Minnesota Court of Appeals from 2000 to 2002 and as an Associate Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court from 2002 to 2008. When not serving on the bench, he has practiced with the Minneapolis law firm of Briggs & Morgan.

Sam Hanson
Associate Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court
In office September 3, 2002 – January 1, 2008
Appointed by	Jesse Ventura
Preceded by	Joan Erickson Lancaster
Succeeded by	Christopher Dietzen
Judge of the Minnesota Court of Appeals
In office November 2000 – September 3, 2002
Appointed by	Jesse Ventura
Succeeded by	Wilhelmina Wright
Personal details
Born	(1939-08-26) August 26, 1939 (age 85) Mankato, Minnesota, U.S.
Spouse	Mirja
Children	6

Biography

Hanson earned his undergraduate degree in Economics and History from St. Olaf College in 1961. He received his J.D. from William Mitchell College of Law in 1965.

After law school, Hanson clerked for future Chief Justice Douglas Amdahl and Justice Robert Sheran before joining Briggs & Morgan, where he specialized in civil litigation and utility regulation. In 2000, he was appointed to the Minnesota Court of Appeals by Governor Jesse Ventura,^[2] where he served until his appointment to the Supreme Court. In 2007, he announced that he would step down from the Court, effective at the beginning of 2008.^[3][4] Governor Tim Pawlenty named Minnesota Court of Appeals Judge Christopher Dietzen to succeed Justice Hanson.^[5]

Hanson and his wife, Mirja, have six children: Greta, Chrystina, Benjamin, Leif, Luke, and Jai.

References

1. Who's Who in American Law, 2005-2006. Marquis Who's Who. 2005. p. 443. ISBN 978-0-8379-3522-5.
2. "Minnesota Supreme Court, Court of Appeals to Swear in Newest Members September 3". mncourts.gov. 2002-08-30. Retrieved 2024-05-18.
3. Stawicki, Elizabeth (2007-11-11). "Hanson steps down from state Supreme Court". Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved 2007-11-11.
4. "Justice Hanson Announces Retirement from Minnesota Supreme Court". mncourts.gov. 2007-10-11. Retrieved 2024-05-18.
5. "Pawlenty Taps Dietzen for Minnesota Supreme Court". Retrieved 2007-12-04.

Legal offices
Preceded by Joan Ericksen Lancaster	Associate Justice Minnesota Supreme Court 2002-2008	Succeeded by Christopher Dietzen