Peter Popovich

Peter S. Popovich
Chief Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court
In office
November 16, 1987 – November 30, 1990
Appointed byRudy Perpich
Preceded byDouglas Amdahl
Succeeded byA.M. "Sandy" Keith
Chief Judge of the Minnesota Court of Appeals
In office
November 2, 1983 – November 15, 1987
Appointed byRudy Perpich
Preceded byOffice Created
Succeeded byD.D. Wozniak
Personal details
BornNovember 27, 1920
Crosby, Minnesota
DiedMarch 29, 1996(1996-03-29) (aged 75)
St. Marys Point, Minnesota
Spouse(s)Dorothy Lee Popovich
Gail Popovich

Peter Stephen Popovich (November 27, 1920 – March 29, 1996) was an American lawyer, politician, and judge from Minnesota. He is the only person in the state's history to serve as both Chief Judge of the Minnesota Court of Appeals and Chief Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court.

Early life and education

[edit]

Popovich was born in Crosby, Minnesota in 1920. He earned degrees from the University of Minnesota and William Mitchell College of Law (then the St. Paul College of Law) in 1942 and 1947, respectively.

Career

[edit]

He was in private practice in the Twin Cities from 1947 to 1983, while also serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 1953 to 1963.

Upon the creation of the state Court of Appeals in 1983, Governor Rudy Perpich appointed Popovich to be Chief Judge. Perpich elevated him to the Supreme Court in 1987, and named him Chief Justice in 1989. Popovich resigned as chief justice in late 1990, having reached mandatory retirement age.

Following his retirement from the Supreme Court, Popovich joined the Minneapolis law firm of Briggs & Morgan.

Death

[edit]

He died in early 1996 at the age of 75.

[edit]
Legal offices
Preceded by Chief Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court
1987 – 1992
Succeeded by
Preceded by
Office Created
Chief Judge of the Minnesota Court of Appeals
1983 – 1987
Succeeded by