Its lawyers had a long history of public service. Stu Rider led the Minneapolis School Board during the tumultuous 1960s. Later Chief Justice Douglas Amdahl joined the firm after his retirement from the Minnesota Supreme Court. Eric J Magnuson, while a law student, clerked for Judge Amdahl. Ultimately Magnuson, who had served as Rider Bennett's Managing Partner, was appointed Chief Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court by Governor Tim Pawlenty. Pawlenty and his wife Mary were both previously employed by Rider Bennett.