FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Charles Samuelson, Executive Director for the ACLU-MN, 651.645.4097 x121; csamuelson@aclu-mn.org
ST. PAUL, Minn. – The American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota is pleased to announce that it will be honoring Justice Paul Anderson with its 17th Annual Earl Larson Award. For the past sixteen years, the ACLU-MN has honored the work of members of the Minnesota legal profession who have excelled in their commitment to preserving civil liberties. The first award winner was Judge Earl Larson, who founded the Minnesota affiliate of the ACLU. Previous recipients include Walter Mondale, the Honorable Rosalie Wahl, and the Honorable Jonathan Lebedoff.
Justice Anderson retired in May 2013 after serving on the Minnesota Supreme Court since 1994. Justice Anderson has spent a large part of his life in public service, beginning with his time spent as a VISTA volunteer attorney straight out of law school, and continuing with his work at the Minnesota Attorney General’s office, and then later on his appointment to the bench. During his tenure at the Supreme Court, the court handled two statewide ballot recounts and a series of constitutional and civil cases that are nationally recognized. He is also known for his international human rights work, including his work in helping Tunisia draft a constitution and in advising Libya on conducting constituent assemblies.
“Honoring Justice Anderson with the Earl Larson Award is a clear choice because it was evident during his tenure on the bench that he strove to protect the civil liberties of Minnesotans,” said Charles Samuelson, Executive Director of the ACLU – MN.
The event will be held on Thursday, November 12 at the Minneapolis Club. More information about the award ceremony will be released in early fall.