Douglas K. Amdahl

Douglas K. Amdahl
Chief Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court
In office 1981–1989
Nominated by	Al Quie
Preceded by	Robert Sheran
Succeeded by	Peter S. Popovich
Personal details
Born	January 23, 1919 Mabel, Minnesota
Died	August 24, 2010(2010-08-24) (aged 91) Richfield, Minnesota
Nationality	American
Alma mater	University of Minnesota William Mitchell College of Law

Douglas K. Amdahl (January 23, 1919 – August 24, 2010) was an American lawyer and judge from Minnesota. He served as Chief Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court from December 1981 to January 1989.

Amdahl was raised in the small town of Mabel in southeastern Minnesota. He served as a judge in Hennepin County from 1961 to 1980.^[1]

While chief justice, Amdahl was a leader in establishing the Minnesota Court of Appeals, which was created in 1983. Prior to that, if a person believed a district judge erred in a ruling, the only avenue for appeal was the state supreme court. With a three-year backlog of cases at the time, the creation of the appeals court enabled a quicker resolution to cases and provided additional oversight in the judicial process.^[2]

Amdahl sponsored the construction of the Hennepin County government center located in downtown Minneapolis. As a Hennepin County chief judge, he cut the ribbon, recommended the design of the judicial chambers, and tirelessly campaigned for funding. He also pushed for a new building on the Minnesota Capitol mall to be dedicated to the judicial branch. Once the appeals court was established, it needed a place to work and hear cases. At the time, the supreme court worked in the east wing of the state capitol, but there was no room for additional offices or chambers for the appeals court. The Minnesota Judicial Center was completed in 1992.^[3]

Amdahl also taught at William Mitchell College of Law and served on its board of trustees.^[4]

Amdahl died on August 24, 2010 at the age of 91.^[5][6]

References

1. ^ Jessica Thompson, Minnesota Law & Politics, "Minnesota's Legal Hall of Fame"
2. ^ http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2010/08/24/amdahl-obit/
3. ^ http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2010/08/24/amdahl-obit/
4. ^ http://www.wmitchell.edu/news/articles/default.asp?articleId=12028
5. ^ http://www.startribune.com/local/101421649.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUsr
6. ^ http://www.twincities.com/ci_15881867

External links

• The 100 Most Influential Minnesota Lawyers of All Time – Mpls-St. Paul Magazine: August 2007
• "Chief Justice Douglas Amdahl: The best of the legal profession" video
• "Former Minn. Chief Justice Amdahl dies" – Star-Tribune: August 25, 2010
• "Douglas Amdahl, former justice, dies" – Pioneer Press: August 25, 2010
• Lori Sturdevant: "Amdahl created a rich legacy" – Star-Tribune: August 25, 2010

Persondata
Name	Amdahl, Douglas K.
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	January 23, 1919
Place of birth	Mabel, Minnesota
Date of death	August 24, 2010
Place of death	Richfield, Minnesota