David Lillehaug, who retired from the Minnesota Supreme Court on July 31, 2020, rejoins the Minneapolis office of Fredrikson & Byron law firm on November 2 in a part-time senior role. Lillehaug will focus his new practice on corporate and governmental investigations, administrative law and complex civil litigation. He will also be available to serve as a special master, arbitrator and mediator.
John Koneck, president of the firm, commented: “David Lillehaug has had one of the most notable legal careers in Minnesota history, having served both on the Supreme Court and as the United States Attorney. He brings almost 25 years of experience in private practice, including a decade with Fredrikson before he was appointed to the Court. We are confident that both existing and new clients will benefit from David’s excellent judgment and strategic vision.”
Lillehaug responded, “I am delighted to return to Fredrikson, a firm where lawyers practice with sophistication and integrity. Interesting legal matters have always found me, and Fredrikson and I are ready for them.”
While practicing at Fredrikson, Lillehaug’s clients included Fortune 100 companies, Minnesota’s governor, three U.S. Senators, the state House of Representatives, the University of Minnesota, the City of Saint Paul, three tribal nations, and many pro bono litigants. He has a particular niche in construction litigation, having founded the state bar’s construction law section.
Appointed to the Supreme Court in 2013 and elected in 2014, Lillehaug served for seven years, sitting on more than 600 cases and writing about 140 opinions. He acted as the Court’s liaison to the tribal courts and to the Lawyers Professional Responsibility Board. In March, he received the state bar mock trial committee’s service award for his work with high school students.
Lillehaug resigned from the Court to allow for a more flexible work schedule. He will devote about a third of his time to his new law practice.
Fredrikson & Byron is a 300-attorney law firm based in Minneapolis, with offices in Bismarck, Des Moines, Fargo, Mankato, St. Paul, Saltillo, Mexico, and Shanghai, China. Fredrikson & Byron has a reputation as the firm “where law and business meet.” Our attorneys bring business acumen and entrepreneurial thinking to work with clients, and operate as business advisors and strategic partners, as well as legal counselors. More information about the firm is available at www.fredlaw.com. Follow us on LinkedIn and on Twitter @FredriksonLaw.