Paul
C.
Thissen
Justice
Appointment
Appointed to the Supreme Court by Governor Mark Dayton on May 14, 2018. Current term expires Jan. 2021.
Education
- J.D., with honors, University of Chicago Law School, 1992
- A.B., magna cum laude, Harvard University, 1989
Past Employment
- Minnesota State Representative, 2003-2018
- Speaker of the Minnesota House, 2013-2014
- Democratic House Leader, 2011-2016
- Chair of the Health and Human Service Committee, 2007-2010
- Ballard Spahr Law Firm (formerly Lindquist & Vennum), 2010-2018
- Briggs and Morgan Law Firm, 1993-2010
- Minnesota State Public Defenders Office, Appellate Division, 1998-1999
- Federal Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, Clerking for the Honorable Judge James Loken, 1992-1993
Professional Memberships
- Minnesota State Bar Association (MSBA)
- Hennepin County Bar Association (HCBA)
- Executive Board Member, New Lawyers Division of the HCBA and MSBA
- Coach, MSBA Mock Trial Competition
Professional and Community Activities
- Healthy and Happy Kids, Member of the Board, 2015-present
- Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Trustee, 2011-2018
- Minnesota AIDS Project Policy Board, 2006
- Minnesota Justice Foundation, Member of the Board, 2000-2002
- Women of Nations Shelter, 1998-2000
- Access for Persons with Disabilities, Founder and Member of the Board, 1995-1997
Additional Information
- Top 100 Influential Minnesotans in Health Care; 2016, 2013, 2009
- Women's Economic Security Champion, 2015
- Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities Legislator of the Year, 2014
- Standing Ovation Award, Minnesota Citizens for the Arts, 2014
- Minnesota High Tech Association Public Service Award, 2014
- Legislator of the Year, Politics in Minnesota, 2012
- ARRM Cares Leadership Award, 2009
- Minnesota Nurses Association, Public Official Award, 2008
- Mpls/St. Paul Magazine, Best Brains in the Twin Cities, 2008
- ARC Minnesota, Legislator of the Year, 2008
- "Forty Under 40" Top Twin Cities Professionals, Twin Cities Business Journal, 2006
- Civic Leadership Award from Citizen's League, 2005