Justice Paul Anderson

Testimonials...

Justice Anderson has met in classrooms and with community groups all across the state, as well as hosting groups who visit the Supreme Court at the State Capital in St. Paul. Below are just a few of the responses to these visits:

YOU ARE AMAZING! Thank you for spending your Friday evening with my Legislative Process class. It was a life-changing experience for them to engage in such stimulating conversation with you. Thank you for your wise and thoughtful words. None of us will think about things the same after an evening like that.
--Professor Mary Jo McGuire, Hamline University

We appreciated your openness in taking our questions . . . . We enjoyed the opportunity to literally view the courtroom from the visual perspective of a judge and appreciated your sense of humor and willingness to fit us into your busy schedule.
--Manitoba Legislative Intern, Minnesota State Legislature

Your passion for the law is unwavering. Your evocative explanation of the appeals process and courtroom interaction between lawyer and justice or judge invokes in me a great excitement for the future of my budding career.
--Minnesota Law Student

I enjoyed listening to your “Lincoln’s Birthday Address.” More to the point, I know the students did, and learned as well. Of course it is a worthwhile mission, maybe part of your job; but you are generous and above and beyond the call. I appreciate it.
--Parent Who Accompanied Student’s Visit to the Capitol

[Justice Anderson’s] presentation was phenomenal and our students really enjoyed him.
--Apple Valley Social Studies Teacher

Thank you for the tour and talk. I liked it very much. You presented everything in an interesting manner that intrigued me . . . . You brought the Constitution and judiciary system to life.
--Home Schooled Student Who Visited the Capitol

Thank you for coming to our school and teaching us more about government. I thought the little trial was quite interesting. I have never had a guest speaker come in and do anything like that before. You taught us about government in a fun way. Thank you.
--Hasting Sixth Grade Student

Thank you for coming and sharing all the different stops of judging. It was a wonderful experience. I liked how you showed it to us in a different way. It was cool the way you had all those volunteers go up and play the different parts. It was like a real case. It was much easier to understand. That was one of the most fun social periods ever!
--6th Grade Student

I just wanted to send a big thank you for yesterday. The students have had great things to say about how much they enjoyed Justice Anderson and how he kept it very interesting for them. I really appreciate it and hope that we can do it again in the future. Please pass this along to him as well.
--High School Teacher

Thank you for your graciousness and willingness to share a part of your day with us. Thank you for a wonderful and interesting day
--Student at the Minnesota School of Business Paralegal Program

You are very supportive and straight forward. Thank you for your time.
--Red Wing Correctional Institution Student

The students were struck by the care and concern you have for them and took to heart what you said. They seemed to appreciate your frankness and genuine interest in them.
--Teacher, Red Wing Correctional Institution

We would like to thank you for showing us around on our visit. It was a great opportunity to see where all the decisions and hearings take place in your job. It was amazing to sit in your seats and feel what it is like to be a justice. Thank you again for all you did and taking time out of your schedule to do it.
--Lac Qui Parle Students

Thanks! You were amazing. I am never going to forget your presentation.
--Eagan High School Student

Thanks again for all you did! You truly made a difference in the lives of these students.
--Eagan High School Teacher

It was informative and inspiring...Thanks for the tour and words of wisdom...It was wonderful...Thank you so much—very inspiring....Thanks for your words of wisdom—great experience.
--Comments by University of St. Thomas Law School Students

I am always so impressed with your commitment to teaching Minnesotans about the history of America and the important role of the Judiciary. Whether you are speaking to school children or teachers, you inspire all of us to learn more and become great citizens. Once again, we were honored to have you speak at our 2008 summer institute for teachers.
--Jennifer Bloom, Learning and Law Democracy Foundation, St. Paul

Thank you so very much for your gracious (excessive ?) words about my time on the Board of Public Defense. We know that no one “can be a hero in his own home town”… but occasionally it’s nice to be noticed. Having been so flattered by someone of your stature…with wife and grandson in attendance…wow.

Your presentation was outstanding. I repeat what I told you after the meeting: I have been a member (of the Waseca Rotary Club) for some 48 years; I have never seen such total rapt attention given to a speaker. Like you, I’m a bit of a flag-waving patriot, you demonstrated your patriotism in a way that was dynamic and exciting.
--Peter Madel, Jr., Waseca Rotary Club Member and former member and Chair of the Minnesota Board of Public Defense

All Rise—My Best Class

I really can’t call it “My Best Class” because I didn’t teach the class. I can only claim credit for having the good sense to ask Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Paul Anderson to speak to my class. Justice Anderson spent 50 minutes with my class of 30 students. Without a doubt, it was the best 50 minutes of my first year of teaching.

As you might suspect, Justice Anderson made many of the same points I emphasized all year. So why did I see the light in my students’ eyes that I see in my teenagers’ eyes when someone else tells them something I have been preaching? That old legal writing adage—consider the weight of the authority. In this case, Justice Anderson was binding, on point, and current. Plus, Justice Anderson was captivating. He had great presence. It doesn’t get any better than that.

Justice Anderson stated by mentioning Bryan Garner’s division of the legal writing process into three parts: brainstorming (the mad scientist part), organizing (the architect and builder part), and creating (the artist part). He then explained that judges write opinions not only because of stare decisis, but because writing is the best way to test the soundness of reasoning. By writing, the drafter is forced to think about the issues and make sure everything holds together. He told us that he redrafts his opinions 20 to 25 times and reads them out loud at least three times before publication.

My students find it hard to believe that all the details really matter. Justice Anderson converted them. He explained that the Minnesota Supreme Court rules require a specific type of binding for briefs. He admitted that this might seem like a minor rule, but he then asked the students to imagine him up late at night reading a brief inappropriately bound is a way that cuts his hands. Now something that seemed like an arbitrary, picky rule has a real life context.

I was particularly fond of his last comment, which went beyond legal writing advice; it was good life advice. He urged the students to take advantage of opportunities. I smiled to myself. I am grateful that I took advantage of the opportunity to invite Justice Anderson to my class. Oh, I know I can’t have a distinguished judge teach my class every day, but I plan to invite a judge to visit my class every year so I can repeat “My Best Class.”
--Professor Julie Oseid, University of St. Thomas Law School

Dear Justice Anderson,

I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for all of your support and dedication to civic education throughout the great state of Minnesota. It is through dedicated supporters like you, who are willing to give their time and expertise, that truly has a positive impact on students throughout our state.

Thank you,
--Vance Ressler, Albany Senior High School

Dear Paul,
A proper letter of thanks will come by--because I hope that the paper copy shows how much I appreciate it--but now that I'm at the end of the week I want to thank you for the classroom visit on Tuesday.

When you came on Tuesday the students had essays due, on the following question:

Law is mere politics, and the political ideology and attitudes of the judge ultimately controls the way he or she decides individual cases. As such, there is little potential for advocacy to influence judicial decision-making. Agree or disagree.

I had them reading a series of articles in political science that debate aspects of this question.

Then all week I met with them in Oxford-style tutorials, discussing the question. Your visit was the buzz of the week's discussions. The things you said made a distinct impression, and for a couple of them they had to rethink their entire essay! It was a really great example of the interaction of abstract academic ideas and a little real-world perspective on things. It was very valuable on our end, so I appreciate the length you went to to make it over here, and I hope your late departure didn't too severely disrupt your next meeting.

Thanks again, most sincerely. I, for one, appreciate how special it is to have someone with your experiences in the classroom.
--Patrick Schmidt, Macalester College

Dear Justice Anderson,
I want to thank you once again for your thoughtful remarks at our annual Minnesota Update teacher conference. Your insights about how the courts work and the Minnesota Constitution are very informative. It always helps us teach our students when we can ask a Minnesota Justice how courts operate. You have been a keynote speaker at our Update staff development for many of our 21 years and your commitment to education inspires us all!

Thanks, too, for always being available to come out to our schools. Your visit to Champlin Park High School a while back was inspiring for all. The ideals of our justice system become real when students roleplay the judicial branch. Coming to the classroom gives our students access to your expertise when tight budgets limit our abilities to come to the courts.
--JoEllen Ambrose, Social Studies Teacher, Champlin Park High Schoo