Christopher Dietzen

Christopher Dietzen
Associate Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court
In office February 19, 2008 – August 31, 2016
Appointed by	Tim Pawlenty
Preceded by	Sam Hanson
Succeeded by	Anne McKeig
Judge of the Minnesota Court of Appeals
In office December 15, 2004 – February 19, 2008
Appointed by	Tim Pawlenty
Preceded by	Barry Anderson
Succeeded by	Michelle Ann Larkin
Personal details
Born	March 8, 1947 Yakima, Washington
Alma mater	Gonzaga University (B.B.A, J.D.)

Christopher Dietzen (born March 8, 1947) was an associate justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court from 2008 to 2016 and a judge of the Minnesota Court of Appeals from 2004 to 2008.

Early life and education

Dietzen was born on March 8, 1947, in Yakima, Washington.^[1] He attended Gonzaga University as an undergraduate and law student, receiving a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1969 and a Juris Doctor in 1973.^[2]

Career

Dietzen was an attorney with the law firm of Larkin, Hoffman, Daly & Lindren, Ltd., of Bloomington, Minnesota, from 1978 to 2004, and with the firm of Richter, Wimberly, & Ericson in Spokane, Washington, from 1973 to 1977.^[2] He also served as an attorney for Tim Pawlenty during his 2002 gubernatorial campaign.^[3]

Dietzen joined the Minnesota Supreme Court on February 19, 2008.^[1] He was appointed to the court by Pawlenty after the resignation of Justice Sam Hanson.^[3] From December 15, 2004 to February 19, 2008, he served as a judge on the Minnesota Court of Appeals.^[4] He was likewise appointed to that judgeship by Pawlenty and then elected to it in 2006.

In 2001 and 2004, Dietzen contributed $250 to the reelection campaign of Norm Coleman, with his last donation occurring almost a year before he became a judge.^[5][6]

Dietzen retired from the Supreme Court on August 31, 2016, seven months before reaching the mandatory retirement age.

References

1. "Biographies of the Justices of the Minnesota Supreme Court". Minnesota State Law Library. Retrieved February 22, 2014.
2. "Judge Profile: Associate Justice Christopher J. Dietzen". Minnesota Judicial Branch. Retrieved February 22, 2014.
3. Scheck, Tom (November 27, 2007). "Pawlenty names appeals judge to state Supreme Court". Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved February 22, 2014.
4. "Biographies of Judges of the Minnesota Court of Appeals". Minnesota Judicial Branch. Retrieved February 22, 2014.
5. Steller, Chris (April 13, 2009). "Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Dietzen donated to Coleman '08 campaign". Minnesota Independent. Archived from the original on August 26, 2012. Retrieved February 22, 2014.
6. Thrush, Glenn (April 13, 2009). "Coleman-Franken judge gave Norm cash". Politico. Retrieved February 22, 2014.