David L. Piper

Click here to see video of the candidate.

Born: July 21, 1953; Minneapolis

Education:

• Hamline University School of Law, J.D., 1979
• Whittier College, B.A., 1975

• Minnesota 4th Judicial District, family court referee, 2001-present
• Private practice, attorney, 1980-2001

• Hennepin County Bar Association
• Minnesota State Bar Association

• Anoka-Metro Regional Treatment Center
• Everybody Wins Minnesota
• Neighborhood Involvement Program Board of Directors
• Twin Cities Public Television Board of Trustees

Hobbies/Interests: Movies, music, reading, sports, theater

Website: www.davidlpiper.com

Why do you want to be a judge?
I have proven to be a fair, impartial and expeditious decision maker in 28 years as a lawyer and jurist (child support magistrate, conciliation court referee/judge and family court referee). By nature a better judge than advocate for one side, I enjoy the bench precisely because it draws upon those traits and skills, both innate and learned, I find most personally rewarding - namely my intellect, compassion, fairness, thoroughness and ability to distill complexity down to its essence. Some are innate, others I've honed, but all are fundamental to judicial excellence and fulfilling the court's mission "to provide a system of justice that assures equal access for the fair and timely resolution of cases and controversies."

Why should voters select you rather than your opponent?
I have a 10-year proven track record of experience as a judicial officer in Hennepin County, having served as a conciliation court referee/judge, child support magistrate, Hennepin County arbitrator and, perhaps most importantly, a full-time family court referee for about eight years. Family court is considered - by all accounts - a challenging judicial assignment. When reviewed by the Court of Appeals and District Court judges, my decisions have been affirmed at least nine times out of 10.

What experience do you have with the court on which you wish to sit?
I am a Hennepin County family court referee, considered by most to be a challenging judicial assignment. The referees in Hennepin County family court perform almost the exact same duties as the family court judges, which means I am uniquely prepared among the candidates for the position of Hennepin County District Court judge.

What are the major issues facing this court?
Funding (making do with less); disproportionate minority representation in our penal system; adverse effects (more litigation, more crime) of unraveling economy; pro se litigants (family court, for example, is primarily a self-represented court); ESL clientele (role of interpreters, understanding different cultures); technology (in many ways, court system records are antiquated).

How can these issues realistically be addressed?
(1) Having a good relationship with the Legislature (making the case for a strong judiciary, including for adequate funding); (2) Paying close attention to the litigants who appear before the court, insuring that they are treated fairly without regard to their race, gender, sexual orientation, culture or economic status; and (3) Having a good relationship with the community, explaining the judiciary and its needs.

What role, if any, should politics play in judicial campaigns? (for example, party endorsements, discussions of political views, etc...)
None - I am running on my record of experience, particularly as a judicial officer for the last 10 years. It is not appropriate for a judicial candidate to have a defined political constituency and to have an agenda.

What else would you like voters to know about your candidacy?
I am running on my record of judicial experience and commitment to the community and to the legal field for almost 30 years. I have devoted my professional career toward the advancement of justice, and I want to continue to do so as a judge.