Keith was appointed to the Court by Governor Rudy Perpich on November 30, 1990 to fill the vacancy after Chief Justice Peter Popvich reached the mandatory retirement age of 70. Keith was an attorney from Rochester, former state Senator (SD 04, 1959-1963), former Lieutenant Governor (1963-1967), and candidate for Governor in 1966. Keith resigned on January 29, 1998 to retire from public office. Governor Arne Carlson appointed Associate Justice Kathleen Blatz to Chief Justice on January 29, 1998 to fill the vacancy.
Phelps was an attorney from La Crescent, former Lakefield City Attorney (1967-1973), and former Dakota City Attorney (1974-1984).