G. Barry Anderson, Associate Justice 2004-2024

Justice Anderson served on the Minnesota Supreme Court for nearly 20 years

Grant Barry Anderson was born October 24, 1954 in Mankato, Minnesota to parents Grant Eugene Anderson and Rosalie Katherine Anderson. He grew up with two siblings, Jeffrey and Mona. Anderson's father, a Mankato business owner, died when he was only 11. He attended Mankato High School, graduating in 1973. Anderson graduated magna cum laude from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota in 1976 and from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1979.

After law school, he moved to Fairmont to practice law at Erickson Zierke Kuderer Myster and Madsen and did litigation work from 1979-83. 

He married Louise Helleloid June 30, 1984, whom he met on a blind date. They then moved to the Twin Cities and he joined Arnold & McDowell in St. Louis Park. He was a partner in the Minneapolis and Hutchinson law firm of Arnold, Anderson & Dove, PLLP and served the City of Hutchinson as City Attorney from 1987 to 1998. He was also certified by the Minnesota State Bar Association as a civil trial specialist.

Anderson was appointed to the Court of Appeals by Governor Arne Carlson in 1998. He replaced Judge Fred C. Norton. He served from August 20, 1998 to August 27, 2004 on the Court of Appeals. In 2004, he was appointed to the Supreme Court by Governor Tim Pawlenty, where he replaced Justice Jim Gilbert. He served on the Minnesota Supreme Court from Oct 13, 2004  to May 10, 2024, retiring shortly before reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70. During his time on the Supreme Court, he served on the Judicial Council.

Anderson’s background includes service as chairman of the Board of Directors of Hutchinson Community Video Network, a local public access television effort where he hosts a one-hour public affairs program, Your Legislators. He had two terms as President of Hutchinson Rotary Club and a wide variety of other community activities.

Anderson is also a frequent contributor to continuing legal education efforts and has lectured on the use of expert witnesses and similar topics.

Justice Anderson and his wife have 3 sons.