FALL 2012

RETIRED MINNESOTA SUPREME COURT JUSTICE HELEN MEYER’S ‘Plan for the Future’ on law

VOLUME 30, NO. 2

Published by the Office of Institutional Advancement 19 William Mitchell College of Law

875 Summit Ave. St. Paul, MN 55105

651-290-6370 651-290-7502 fax [email protected] wmitchell.edu/alumni

EXECUTIVEEDITOR Steve Linders

WRITING Nancy Crotti Steve Linders 16 Paul Moore Phil Theibert Jim Walsh 13 ART DIRECTION John Biasi

DESIGN John Biasi Katelynn Palmer

PHOTOGRAPHY Michael Crouser Tim Rummelhoff Sarah Whiting Steve Woit

PRESIDENT ANDDEAN Eric S. Janus CHAIR, BOARD OF TRUSTEES 32 Stephen B. Bonner ’72 26

23 FALL 2012

Mitchell in Focus BoARD oF tRustees 2 Justice Esther M. Tomljanovich ’55 Tea for Women in Law Chair Stephen B. Bonner ’72 4 Alumni CLE Series Vice Chair Daniel O’Keefe ’78 Secretary John H. Hooley ’80 Treasurer Louis L. Ainsworth ’77 875 suMMit 4-9 5 The region’s law school of choice Lynn M. Anderson ’80 6 Marshall-Brennan fellows hit the workforce Lawrence T. Bell ’79 John D. Buck 6 STAND in embracing diversity Jeffrey P. Cairns ’81 7 Mitchell named ‘Military Friendly’ Richard R. Crowl ’76 8 Meet Jessie Rajtar 3L Lisa A. Gray ’86 8 Remembering Assistant Director of Admissions Joe Walsh Judge Jill Flaskamp Halbrooks ’85 9 Faculty news James J. Hoolihan ’79 Kathy Kimmel ’96 10 Breathe first. Then find inspiration. Stephen R. Lewis Jr. Martin R. Lueck ’84 Ret. Chief Justice Eric J. Magnuson ’76 thouGht leADeRs Ret. Justice Helen M. Meyer ’83 11 Practical Wisdom—it can take you anywhere Joseph S. Micallef ’62 Ruth A. Mickelsen ’81 AluMni link Mansco Perry III ’81 12 The Hachey Initiative: Get invloved … it works Kathleen Flynn Peterson ’81 12 New Alumni Association Board of Directors Judge Denise Reilly ’83 Peter M. Reyes Jr. ’97 Ellen G. Sampson ’84 GivinG BAck, GivinG FoRwARD Lenor A. Scheffler ’88 25 Record Annual Fund participation rate William R. Sieben ’77 25 Three alumni who supported Mitchell in 2011-12 David M. Sparby ’80 William F. Stute ’97 clAss notes 27-30 Thomas W. Tinkham 27 Karla Hancock ’80 Eric C. Tostrud ’90 29 Mitchell Firsts: What are they up to these days? Amy Xu ’97

in MeMoRiAM 30-31 AluMni AssociAtion BoARD 31 Mike Ford ’79: An advocate’s advocate President Kathy Kimmel ’96 Vice President Hon. Jill Halbrooks ’85 leGAl leGenD Secretary/ Treasurer T. Nicole James-Gilchrist ’03 Doug Heidenreich ’61: Renaissance Man Extraordinaire 13 Peter Berge ’83 David Bland ’79 oFF the BeAten PAth Mark V. Chapin ’82 16 Jamin Arvig ’07: Green Dream Elizabeth Cowan Wright ’02 Fred Dawe ’92 John Degnan ’76 FeAtuRes Alison Drichta Patiuk ’09 19 Jeff Anderson ’75: A Life of Love & Law Jill K. Esch ’03 Jewelie Grape ’99 23 Helen Meyer ’83: A Plan for the Future Mark A. Hallberg ’79 Alex Kim ’06 Barbara J. Klas ’91 6 thinGs ABout Bruce Nerland ’88 26 Melissa Wright ’93 Lori Oleson ’02 Judge George T. Stephenson ’85 Robert Suk ’70 to the Point Chris Tymchuck ’08 32 Stephen Bonner ’72: Where would we be if not for Mitchell? Bill White ’82 Justice Esther M. Tomljanovich ’55 Tea for Women in Law

Professor and Co-Director of Mitchell’s Clinical Program Ann Juergens welcomes the crowd

Christine Eid ’08 and Heather Diersen ’08

It’s the Hats!

In the tradition of the teas hosted by the former lawyers’ legal fraternity Phi Delta Delta, hats and gloves are admired, but not Kathryn Ebnet, 2L and required. Once again, Janelle Frederick, 2L Justice Tomljanovich made her collection of swanky tea hats available to rent as a fundraiser.

2 MITCHELL on law MITCHELL IN FOCUS

Justice Esther Tomljanovich ’55 with Justice Esther Tomljanovich with some of the longtime friend and colleague, many women to whom she has offered advice, Judge Doris Huspeni ’70 counsel, and friendship

The tea featured food from three different tea- drinking countries

Last April, hundreds of Mitchell alumni and friends

gathered for one of the college’s most anticipated events of the‘ year: The Annual Justice Esther M. Tom- ljanovich ‘55 Tea for Women in Law. Attendees shared great conversation, delicious food, and tea (of course). Esther Tomljanovich told her inspiring story of breaking into the profession during a time when women were “relegated to the recep- tionist desk.” And, perhaps most importantly, the Tea and its cor- responding CLE raised money in support of Women in Law Scholarships (2011–12 recipients at left). Since Mitchell began raising money for the Women in Law Scholarship Fund, alumni and friends have given more than $1 million. Learn more at wmitchell.edu/tea.

Photos by Sarah Whiting wmitchell.edu/news 3 alumni

CLEseries

Recent graduates Free (2011-12) All other alumni $20 Webcasts $30

Learn more & reGisTer CONVENIENT. INTERESTING. RELEVANT. wmitchell.edu/lectures

Past CLEs Failures, Screw-ups, and Bankruptcy Basics: Unknowns (and Why They What Every Lawyer Should Know

U.S. Supreme Court Review can be Good for You) Friday, mar. 22 | noon–1:30 pm Thursday, sepT. 13 | 7:30–9 am Friday, dec. 14 ‘ | noon–1:30 pm Michael Sheridan ‘08 Professors Mike Steenson and Dyan Williams 05 Mehmet Konar-Steenburg LLC Double Feature: Preventive Detention Schemes Using Member Control Agreements for Medical Assistance 101: in Germany and Minnesota: Binding Arbitration that ACTUALLY Binds

Planning for Long-term Care Recent Developments in the Application of the Real Parties in the Deal and Modifying Friday, sep. 28 | noon–1:30‘ pm the European Convention on Human Rights or Eliminating Fiduciary Duties William L. Brown 94 Friday, Jan. 25 | noon–1:30 pm Thursday, apr. 11 | 7:30–9 am

Dean Eric Janus Professor Dan Kleinberger Upcoming CLEs

Ethical Issues for What you Need to Know Social Media and the Workplace: Transactional Lawyers to Succeed in Court: What Every Employer and Thursday, Feb. 7 | 7:30–9 am

Employee Needs to Know Perspectives from Law Clerks

Professor Greg ‘ Duhl and

Thursday, may 9‘ | 7:30–9 am

Friday, ocT. 19 | noon–1:30‘ pm Jaclyn Millner 09 Jennifer Young 09 and ‘ Teresa Thompson 94 What’s Hot (and What’s Not) Michelle Anderson-Horecka 09 The Why and How of Accelerated in Family Law Worldwide Patent Filings Whose Case is it Anyway?

Friday, Feb. 22 | n‘ oon–1:30 pm Ethical Decisionmaking for Friday, nov. 16 | noon–1:30 pm ‘ Allison Marshall 05 Mark DiPietro and Lori Sargeno 06 Criminal Defense Lawyers Torts in the Courts Friday, may 17 | noon–1:30 pm Professor Brad Colbert The Appellate Court’s Standard Thursday, mar. 14 | 7:30–9 am

of Review of Pre-trial and Trial Professors David Prince and Court’s Evidence Rulings Mike Steenson ACA Today: Where Health Care Reform Stands in 2013

Thursday, dec. 13 | 7:30–9 am Professor Edward Toussaint Friday, June 14 ‘ | noon–1:30 pm Kate Johansen 09

4 mITCHELL on law Photo by Tim Rummelhoff 875 SummIT

The Region’s Law School of Choice in 2012 William Mitchell has retained its status as the region’s law SamPLE of uNdERgRaduaTE SchooLS University of North Dakota school of choice for students University of Gonzaga Washington University Boston in search of a practical legal University of Syracuse College Minnesota University Marquette education. University of North Dakota University Oregon Brigham Young State University University of On Thursday, Aug. 23, Mitchell University Pennsylvania University of welcomed 260 first-year students to the Colorado Loyola Marymount University of University of beginning of their law school careers. University Arizona State Iowa Pittsburgh University Once again, more students chose to University of Indiana Kansas University College of attend Mitchell than any other area law William & Mary University of Florida State school. And again, the first-year class has Texas-El Paso University Chaminade impressive credentials. University University of Florida For the ages

1900 Years Mitchell STudENT PRofILE has been Student backgrounds in existence 112 1910 LSAT All come from a variety of personal 1920 155 150-158 and professional Median 25th-75th Percentile backgrounds and bring unique life 1930 GPA experiences to our classrooms Age of Doug 3.38 3.11-3.58 Heidenreich One is an orthopedic 1940 80 (more on Professor 1LS REPRESENT surgeon who is Heidenreich on page 13) attending part time while maintaining his 1950 practice

One is a former patent 1960 officer with the U.S. 28U.S. FOREIGN12 UNDERGRADUATE95 Patent and Trademark Oldest first-year STATES COUNTRIES INSTITUTIONS Office student 1970 49 Class makeup One is a former Peace Corps volunteer in 1980 Guatemala Median first-year student age 24 49% womEN Two are former Teach 1990 for America volunteers Youngest first-year Several serve in the student 13% of coLoR 20 2000 U.S. Armed Forces Many are parents

2010 16 hoLd gRaduaTE dEgREES

wmitchell.edu/news 5 875 SUMMIT

Marshall-Brennan fellows hit the workforce

It’s been three years since Associate Dean for Administration Mary Pat Byrn started the Marshall-Brennan Constitutional Literacy Project at Mitchell. The project helps law school stu- dents develop communications and leadership skills by sending them into high school classrooms where they teach constitutional rights. Last spring, the first group of

Marshall-Brennan fellows earned their David Safar law degrees and joined the ranks of working professionals. They say the experience teaching in high schools Mitchell is one of only 12 law has prepared them well. schools in the country (and the only MEYER RETURNS TO MITCHELL David Safar ’12 went so far as to one in Minnesota) to be part of the write a paper about the effectiveness program, which, thanks to support The big question on of the project as a teaching tool. He’ll from the law firm Nilan Johnson everyone’s mind when present it at a symposium at the Uni- Lewis, has grown to include local and

Minnesota Supreme versity of Colorado-Boulder later this national moot court competitions for Court Justice‘ Helen fall. Other students have told Byrn the high school students. Meyer 83 announced that becoming a Marshall-Brennan that she would step fellow was the “best thing” they did Learn more down from the bench Meyer and Justice Gildea during their law school career. wmitchell.edu/marshall-brennan was, “What will she do now?” The answer came Thursday, Aug. 9, when many leaders in the state’s legal community gathered in the William Mitchell Auditorium to STAND in embracing diversity celebrate Justice Meyer’s career. Just before the reception, Justice Meyer Mitchell’s Office of Multicultural “When people walk into Mitch- and Mitchell announced that she would join Affairs and its Students Together ell they cannot help but notice the her alma mater as a distinguished jurist in Advancing the Need for Diversity and inscription ‘justice for all’ written in residence. She’ll mentor students, be a guest Dialogue (STAND) group will sponsor different languages in the rotunda,” lecturer in classes, and continue her work with the 2nd Annual MLK Week of Service says Lawrencina Oramalu, assistant the Child Protection Clinic, which she helped Jan. 14–19, 2013. dean and director of Multicultural start last year. Throughout the week, Mitchell Affairs. “This statement is central to “Most judges leave the bench when they are students, faculty, and alumni will Mitchell’s mission to serve the law, ready to retire, but Helen is leaving because participate in a variety of activities teach it, and work to make it just. It she has a desire to inspire in new ways and in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King was also the rally cry of Dr. King. The different arenas,” Minnesota Supreme Court Jr. They’ll volunteer. They’ll host a annual week of service seeks to bring Chief Justice Lorie Skjerven Gildea said to the STAND for Justice forum. They’ll walk the Mitchell community together to hundreds of people at the reception. “If past in the annual Martin Luther King Jr. march, reflect, celebrate, and engage. practice is any indication, we know that she Day March down St. Paul’s Marshall We want everyone to participate.” will have much success in these new arenas.” Avenue. And you’re invited to participate. Learn more & GeT InVoLVed read more about Justice Meyer’s work with wmitchell.edu/diversity the Child Protection Clinic on page 22.

6 mITCHELL on law Photos by Tim Rummelhoff 875 SummIT

Here’s a teasure Mitchell’s library staff found in the archives and thought alumni might like: three issues of “Judgment Roll,” a yearbook of the St. Paul College of Law. Containing history, profiles of students, faculty, and staff, campus photos, and legal commentary, “Judgment Roll” provides a unique glimpse into the origins of Mitchell’s rich heritage. It also reveals that even long ago, the college was concerned with some of the same issues as today—ensuring that students gain practical experience, assisting the less fortunate in obtaining justice, and defining the role of lawyers within society. Although “Judgment Roll” demonstrates the serious and thoughtful nature of hard-working law students, it also depicts their fun and playful side in typical yearbook fashion. There are cartoons, poetry, songs, jokes, and amusing photos, as well as tributes, revealing an atmosphere of fellowship and deep respect and admiration. The “Judgment Roll” is a favorite of library staff, and we are pleased to share some glimpses from it!

The St. Paul College of Law merged with Minneapolis- Minnesota College of Law to become William Mitchell College of Law in 1956.

William Mitchell named ‘Military Friendly’

G.I. Jobs, an organization that specializes in veteran students, create a welcoming helping military veterans find employment, environment for them, and keep them has included Mitchell on its annual list of enrolled. military friendly schools. Mitchell has a long history of all three, Each year, only 15 percent of the nation’s and the school is proud to be listed among colleges and universities make the list. the most military friendly law schools in the Mitchell is the only law school in the region country. to be included this year. To be considered “military-friendly,” a read more school must actively recruit military and MilitaryFriendlySchools.com

Photo by Mike Krivit wmitchell.edu/news 7 875 SummIT

Remembering Meet Jessie Rajtar, 3L Assistant Director of Admissions Joe Walsh Last summer, Jessie Rajtar traveled halfway across the On Wednesday, June 6, William Mitchell lost a dear world to put practical wisdom to work. She spent several friend when Assistant Director of Admissions Joe months in Equatorial Guinea, working with a law firm, Walsh passed away at the age of 50 after a long and networking, and honing her writing and advocacy skills. courageous battle with cancer. Joe was a husband, brother, uncle, friend, and respected colleague. He earned his J.D. at Cardozo WhaT did you do in WhaT has surprised you equaToriaL Guinea? The mosT abouT your Time School of Law in New York and was practicing in equaToriaL Guinea? copyright and trademark law in 1995 when he met I worked as a summer associate for an international law firm What surprised me most is how his soul mate, Ann Harrington. They married in 2001 called Centurion. It’s involved wrong people are about the and settled in Brooklyn, N.Y. with advising on business country. Before coming here, When Ann had the opportunity to return to strategies and organizing various I read articles that led me to her home state of Minnesota in 2005 to work for forums to attract investors, with prepare myself to live and work the Pioneer Press, Joe embraced the state as his the goal of changing the face and in a “difficult” country. What I own and joined Mitchell. He quickly became an perception of the country. found was quite the opposite. ambassador for the school. Diagnosed with multiple The people recognize that they myeloma in 2008, Joe was determined not to be hoW did you GeT There? have work to do to better their defined by his illness. He continued to work until the country. They are aware of I heard about the position end. the way the rest of the world through my boss in Mitchell’s “Joe epitomized all that is good about our law perceives them, and they are Office of Multicultural Affairs, school, and about humanity,” said President and determined to change the Sharon Van Leer. She told me Dean Eric Janus. ”He was a tireless advocate for our perspective of the world. that a graduate from William college, always with an optimistic, positive attitude Mitchell had started a law that was infectious.” firm in Equatorial Guinea and Joe touched many lives while at Mitchell. To honor was looking for bilingual law the many contributions he made to the law school students willing to take a risk and community, students, alumni, faculty, and staff and move outside the United established a scholarship in his memory. States for the summer. “Joe worked days and nights to bring us students to counsel and teach and WhaT did you Learn durinG your Time There? support. Unfortunately, The biggest lesson I’ve learned applicants will no longer is how to apply the tools and have the privilege of experiences I’ve gained by living connecting with him,” and studying in the United said Professor Greg States to situations in Equatorial Jessie Rajtar standing in front of the Duhl. “But we can do Guinea with patience, flexibility, Sabre Tree, a silk cotton tree featured on the next best and humility. the Equatorial Guinea flag. thing and give

WhaT do you hope To do a student the WhaT are you hopinG To aFTer you earn your J.d.? opportunity to accompLish personaLLy? proFessionaLLy? I hope to use the skills that I connect with My most immediate goals include have developed to continue Joe’s legacy.” learning Chinese and French. I in the realm of international also wish to continue my travels law, litigation, and corporate and learn about other cultures responsibility. I also would like to through direct immersion. continue with training foreign lawyers—sharing the skills that I have to help them become more effective in their practice. make a GiFT in Joe’s memory wmitchell.edu/giving

8 mITCHELL on law Top photo by Steve Woit 875 SUMMIT

FACULTY NEWS President and Dean Eric S. JanuS will be present- Join Us for an ed with the 21st Century Alumni & Student Leadership Award from Southern Minnesota Thanksgiving Dinner Regional Legal Services Tuesday, Nov. 20. You can Friday, Nov. 16 be there. Visit smrls.org Expert Witness Training Academy William Mitchell Auditorium to RSVP. Come share a Thanksgiving meal with Longtime Mitchell Profes- Professor chriStinE vEr multicultural specialist, students. Then share your experience sor and Associate Dean PloEg was re-appointed helped screen candidates with how pro bono, community service, niElS Schaumann left to the National Academy who had already passed and other volunteer work has been the law school to become of Arbitrators’ Amicus the required physical and important in your life as a lawyer and as dean of California West- Brief Advisory Committee. written exams. The oral a member of a civic community. ern School of Law. board asks the patrol Distinguished Professor of Sponsored by the candidates questions Law EDwarD touSSaint Minnesota Justice covering nine different was appointed chair of Foundation’s areas, seeking troopers the No-Fault Standing Public Interest Law who have professional- Committee by the Minne- Fellowship program ism, honesty, integrity, sota Supreme Court. at Mitchell. All Byrn and the ability to deal Judge Toussaint was proceeds will support Mitchell students with the public. awarded competitive public interest law also this year’s recipient positions in summer 2013. Professor mary Pat of the Minnesota State Professors John Son- Bar Association Advo- StEng, EilEEn ScallEn, Byrn has taken the role timE anD coSt of associate dean for cate Award. The award and Jim hilBErt and wmitchell.edu/alumni administration. She will goes to a person who Administrative Coordina- work with Janus and has made a significant tor linDa thorStaD de- Associate Dean for Aca- contribution to improving veloped Mitchell’s Expert demic Programs Nancy the system of civil justice Witness Training Acad- Ver Steegh in leading in Minnesota. emy, in which scientists Mitchell. learn to communicate Professor Dan KlEin- complex ideas in ways BErgEr was named Professor DaviD PrincE an average person can chair of the American has led an effort to start understand. Nearly two Bar Association’s LLC a Veterans Clinic at Wil- dozen climate scientists Committee on Business liam Mitchell. Under his from all over the country Law Task Force. He will leadership, students and attended the seminar this lead a team charged with alumni will help military past summer, participat- reviewing the Uniform veterans with criminal ing both as witnesses Power of Attorney Act and family law issues. and expert witnesses in a and the Uniform Power 2013 ALUMNI GOLF TOURNAMENT media interview, a legisla- Professor Sarah DEEr of Appointment Act. will chair the Federal tive hearing, depositions, Let’s talk daunting doglegs and Advisory Committee for Professor miKE StEEn- non-binding arbitration, unbelievable uphill lies, shall we? the Office for Victims Son served as a citizen and a jury trial. That’s right. The 2013 Alumni Golf of Crime’s National representative on a three- Tournament is heading to Bearpath Golf member oral board that Coordination Committee & Country Club on May 20. on the American Indian/ interviewed Minnesota Alaska Native SANE-SART State Trooper candidates. Think it’s too early to clean your clubs? Initiative. Steenson and Sharon Naw, neither do we. van lEEr, Mitchell’s

EWTA photo by Michael Crouser / Byrn photo by Steve Woit / Golf photo by Terrence Bogie wmitchell.edu/news 9 Breathe first. Then find inspiration.

Up against it? Mitchell’s leadership, students, and alumni are. Here’s how they face life’s challenges head-on.

Eric Janus Dan Buettner Bill McCormack Aileen Guiney President and Dean 3L ’73 ’10

Challenges During his 28 years at Third-year student Buettner McCormack recently retired Halfway through her second William Mitchell, Janus has says it’s tough for law after a long career in Minne- year of law school, Guiney’s faced many challenges. students to stay positive. sota’s food industry, includ- wife, Jenny Haigh, was Today’s include declining “We enter with hopes and ing 17 years as executive diagnosed with chordoma, enrollment, competition with determination. Then we’re vice president of the Schwan a rare type of bone cancer. other law schools, setting hit with essays and finals, Food Company. Soon after he With a son, 3½, and another proper tuition levels, national plus debt and the realization packed up his office, he was child on the way, “we went attention on the value of law that six-figure jobs are hard faced with the “What now?” from being a regular family school curricula, and a tough to get.” question that is common to straight into crisis mode.” employment market for retirees. Two 11-hour neurosurgeries, graduates. nine months on a feeding tube, 16 months in a halo, and a summer of radiation treatments followed.

Inspiration “I’m inspired by our students, As the son of adventurer- Marvin Schwan, one of the “The support I got from alumni, and co-workers,” entrepreneur Dan Buettner founders of Schwan Foods, Mitchell allowed me to stay says Janus. And also by the Sr., the younger Buettner is one of many mentors Mc- on track, take and pass the school itself. “William Mitch- didn’t have to look far for Cormack looks up to. “My bar, and provide for my fam- ell has remained strong for sage advice. “My dad said, mentors were great business- ily,” says Guiney, who works 112 years. With its mission, ‘What defines success is how people but also supporters of as a benefits consultant for history, and importance to you define it for your own their communities,” says Mc- Target. Today, Haigh is doing the community, it’s going to happiness.’ I’ve realized my Cormack. “The organizations well. “She inspires me with remain strong.” interests lie in real estate and they built made a difference her grace,” says Guiney. in helping others.” in people’s lives.” “Great medicine and luck played a part, but her success is also attributable to her mental strength.”

Moving On “We’re focusing on strength- Buettner is pursuing his law McCormack stays busy and “I’m much more intentional ening our mission of degree part time while work- engaged by serving on now. I’ve learned firsthand providing a practical legal ing full time in the real estate several boards. Among them, that every day is a blessing.” education in a flexible, ac- group at Target and serving he chairs the BioBusiness Al- cessible format. It’s our goal as a volunteer firefighter. liance of Minnesota and the to deliver the education that “My goal is still to be an Minnesota Angel Network. law students in 2012—and attorney,” he says. “A law He also serves on Mitchell’s going forward—need.” degree gives me options. It Center for Law and Business opens a lot of doors.” advisory board. “I want to give back and work on initia- tives and causes that make a difference.”

10 MITCHELL on law ThoughT LEadERS

Practical wisdom— it can take you anywhere

According to a college president, an investment capitalist, and a U.S. congressman, the practical wisdom they gained at William Mitchell helped propel them to become thought leaders and change agents in careers beyond the legal profession.

Brad Lehrman ’81

He’s an entrepreneurial venture attorney and a founder of MOJO Minnesota, an advocacy organization that provides resources and mentorship for innovators and entrepreneurs.

hoW brad uses pracTicaL Wisdom: “My law degree enables me to digest complicated information from a variety of businesses,” he says. “One day I am learning about bio-artificial livers, and the next day I am learning about special- flow batteries for a clean-tech company. I have to synthesize complex data and then arrive at conclusions to be the best Sean Duffy ’99 Beth Dinndorf ’82 advocate I can be for these companies. I must ensure they are concentrating He’s a U.S. Congressman representing She was recently named the 18th on the market properly, that they are Wisconsin’s 7th District, a professional president of Columbia College in creating the correct relationships. lumberjack, and former district attorney Columbia, S.C. She previously served “My ability to handle a variety of as a trustee for the College of Saint clients while launching MOJO Minnesota hoW sean uses pracTicaL Wisdom: Benedict in Collegeville, Minn., and was comes directly from my William Mitchell “My William Mitchell law degree has senior vice president of student banking training.” been a tremendous asset throughout services at U.S. Bank. my entire career,” he says. “A William Mitchell degree teaches more than just hoW beTh uses pracTicaL Wisdom: law. It teaches practical wisdom and “I went to law school because I liked critical thinking. And critical thinking law,” says Dinndorf. “When I graduated, is especially important, whether it’s I interviewed with law firms and realized reading the law or digesting public that I wanted to continue my banking policy. career. “My Mitchell experience has enabled “A law degree helps you in analyzing me to more effectively communicate and resolving any issues you encounter. ideas and make policy arguments with My legal background adds a dimension my colleagues on the floor of the House to my approach and analysis of and with my constituents in town hall everything I do; it adds to my way of meetings in Wisconsin. I wouldn’t be thinking.” where I am today without this degree.”

wmitchell.edu/news 11 ALUMNI LINK

Meet your new Alumni Association Leaders

get iNvolved … it worKs! It’s been almost two years since the Alumni Association put the call out for successful alumni to help current students and recent graduates make connections that could lead to employment. The response has been impressive— hundreds of connections have been made, and many students and recent grads have Kathy Kimmel ’96 Judge Jill flasKamp Nicole President halbrooKs ’85 James-gilchrist ’03 gotten jobs: Vice President Secretary/Treasurer

‘I got a clerkship!’ Kimmel is a partner Halbrooks sits on the James-Gilchrist at Oppenheimer Minnesota Court of is a lawyer with With help from a letter of recommendation Wolff & Donnelly. Appeals. She’s also Ameriprise Financial. from John Degnan ’76, past-president of She’s been named an adjunct faculty She also leads the the Alumni Association, Anne Peterson ’11 a Super Lawyer member at Mitchell Community Service secured an interview for a clerkship with twice and represents and volunteers at Committee for women and children Benjamin E. Mays Minnesota’s chapter Seventh District Court Judge Steve Cahill women and children through the Chrysalis Elementary School in of the Association of ’76. Then she got the job. through the Chrysalis “Safety Project.” St. Paul. Corporate Counsel. Real-world experience … and a clerkship Student Meg Hennessy gained real- Events world experience working with Hachey Ambassador Lenore Millibergity ’86 at the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota on a case. The opportunity led to a clerkship for Hennessy with the center. face time law practice for sale: An informal networking event strategies for sellers aNd buyers with Mitchell alumni represent- Join us for a presentation by “We help with the networking … ing a range of practice areas— Roy Ginsburg on how lawyers from criminal defense to family looking to retire can connect but the student/graduate earns law to intellectual property to with younger lawyers looking to real estate. expand their practices. the position on their own.” John Degnan on how the Hachey Initiative works Tuesday, Oct. 9 | 4:30-6 pm Wednesday, Nov. 7 | 4:30-6:30 pm William Mitchell Auditorium These are just two examples of how the William Mitchell Auditorium Hachey Initiative works. If you’ve got another, tell us, and we’ll share it on our both eveNts are free. learN more aNd register website, in the next alumni magazine, or in the next Hachey Initiative eNewsletter. wmitchell.edu/alumni

12 mITCHELL on law LEGAL LEGEND

“Somewhere, probably in a shoebox filled with curved, faded, brittle pictures shot about 70 years ago on a Kodak Brownie camera, I have RENAISSANCE a short letter from Gerhard Bundlie ’17, a lawyer who was the mayor of St. Paul in the early 1930s. The letter, on official mayor’s-office stationery, congratulates my parents on the birth of a son who had been born on Feb. 29, 1932. That was me,” says Douglas Heidenreich ‘61, man renaissance man extraordinaire. Heidenreich, with his wry sense of humor notes, “I can only assume EXTRAORDINAIRE that the mayor took the trouble to congratulate my folks because not by Phil Theibert many people were having children in the Depression years.” For 49 years, Heidenreich has served William Mitchell as a law professor, including 11 years as dean. But he’s also a lover of France, an occasional actor, an ex-football star, and an author, having written the centennial history of William Mitchell and numerous law articles.

Photo by Steve Woit wmitchell.edu/alumni 13 Good teaching is largely based on the connection that you make with the students.

A Solid Foundation the oil and water levels and even the tire vehicle passed, sometimes crushing one of pressure … I was paid well—a dollar an the makeshift goal-markers. Perhaps these accomplishments can be hour by the time I left college.” Today Heidenreich, at 80, says he is traced back to a childhood that introduced Some of his favorite childhood memories adverse to exercise. him to hard work. include playing sports. He smiles when “I belong to ‘Athletes Anonymous,’” he As a child growing up in St. Paul, Minn., recalling how he and his friends would says. “Whenever I feel like exercising, I call his chores included shoveling snow in the work together to clear rubbage and weeds a friend, and he talks me out of it.” winter and cutting a somewhat weedy and from an emply lot so they’d have a place There was a time, however, when uneven lawn with a balky, human-powered to play football or baseball in the summer. Heidenreich was an athlete. He played lawnmower in the summer. In the winter, the kids would take to the three years and lettered as a guard for the “For a few years I also had to take out street for hours of hockey played on the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers the ashes produced during the winter by ice-packed surface of the poorly plowed football team in the 1950s. the coal-fired furnace in our basement,” streets. Heidenreich says. “Finally, each evening I “We used hockey sticks, sometimes A People Person was expected to wash the supper dishes.” cracked or worn and taped together, Then he turned 14 and started his first hand-me-downs from an older sibling or It was during his time at the University real job for the proprietor of the Phillips another kid who had been able to buy a of Minnesota when Heidenreich says he 66 service station at the corner of West new stick,” he says. “And one of us could discovered that he is a “people person.” Seventh Street and Otto Avenue. usually provide a puck, but that was about In fact, he says his desire to help people “My job was to sell gasoline and oil at the only way in which our game resembled attracted him to law. the pump,” he says. “The most common hockey, as we used clumps of snow to “Lawyers try to help people. That is order—‘a buck’s worth’—would get the mark the goals, and we ran from one end fundamentally what lawyers do,” he says. customer something of the ‘rink’ to the other on the icy surface “And that was attractive to me and why I close to five gallons wearing street shoes or rubber overshoes.” felt it would be a good profession.” of gas plus a Of course a car would come through He admits with a knowing smile that windshield-cleaning from time to time, and Heidenreich and some current and former students may be and a check of his buddies would stand aside while the shocked to hear that he’s a people person.

14 mITCHELL on law Photo by Tim Rummelhoff LEGAL LEGEND

But a key part of his teaching philosophy reenactment.” Although he has served Mitchell for 49 is encouraging students to think for He has appeared in several Landmark years, Heidenreich’s advice for incoming themselves, as critically as possible. Center productions and been on stage law students is as simple and to the point “I like to stimulate students to make at the legendary Guthrie Theater in as it was when he started: “Work hard, them think and reevaluate their own Minneapolis. study hard, and make law school your positions, as well as those of other people, In addition to acting, Heidenreich number one priority.” because that is what good lawyers do,“ he enjoys traveling to France. “My friend and His advice for William Mitchell graduates says. colleague on the faculty, Phebe Haugen is also practical, concise, and direct. But ultimately, Heidenreich points out, a ‘72, and I visit France a couple times a “I told the graduating class last winter law professor’s effectiveness boils down to year. It is such a beautiful country and the that I had three bits of advice for them. relationships. people are wonderful.” One, be proud of your law school. Be “Good teaching is largely based on proud of this school; it is a very fine school the connection that you make with the Practical Advice and does wonderful things for society. students.” for the Future Second, be honest. Third, ‘To thy own self be true.’” Beyond Mitchell Heidenreich has seen a lot during his time As for his future, Heidenreich says he at Mitchell. Some good, some not so good. plans to keep teaching. When he’s not teaching, Heidenreich can But there is one thing he knows for sure “I hope to have another year or two, often be found on stage or in France. about his alma mater: It’s a wonderful law at least, before I have to hang it up,” he His experience helping plan Mitchell’s school. says. “I always figure that every morning, Centennial Celebration led to an acting “William Mitchell is distinctive in that, when I wake up, if I still enjoy doing this, job with the Landmark Center, a cultural before it was popular or a trend, we that is what I am going to center that celebrates music, theater, and emphasized practical experience, gave keep doing. If I don’t want other forms of art. The center recruited students an opportunity, as early as to do this anymore, I Heidenreich to help reenact a famous possible, to work on real problems with will tell them to start trial, and he parlayed the experience into real people through our clinical programs,” looking for someone an acting career he modestly calls “mere he says. else.”

ProfEssor HEiDENrEicH 80 63 49 Number of Jersey number Years he’s by tHE NumbErs years since he worn for worked at was born the Golden Mitchell Gophers 20 11 2 1 Birthdays Years served Years served His class celebrated— as dean at with the Army rank upon he’s a leap Mitchell tank corps in graduating year baby Germany from Mitchell

Bottom right photo by Phebe Saunders Haugen wmitchell.edu/alumni 15 JAMiN ARviG’s

GREEN DREAMby Jim Walsh

America, the concept and country, is up for debate these days, but it’s unlikely that any other spot on the map could produce the likes of Jamin Arvig ’07.

Armed with a strong work ethic, a thousand dollars’ worth of water filters, and a beautiful mind honed at Mitchell, Arvig and his wife, Alyssa, started a business based on the idea of changing the world and helping strangers.

16 mITCHELL on law OFF THE BEATEN PATH

“When the alarm clock goes off pretty world and the greater good,” says Arvig, a early in the morning, we can think that father of two young girls. “We talk about we’re not selling a few widgets, but we’re helping the environment, purifying water, really doing some great things,” says Arvig. saving water bottles, impacting the world, “As an organization, it’s great to be part and helping people. of something bigger than yourself. We “We work with a lot of different truly are helping people: We’re selling partners to realize our potential to impact something that helps health and helps the the world. We have the privilege and environment.” responsibility in this industry to help those Arvig is the CEO of WaterFilters.Net, who need water. There’s nothing that a clean-water distribution business he we’re lacking on this earth more than pure founded in 2002 when he was a 22-year- water. old electrical engineering student at the University of Minnesota. The e-commerce We help get wells built in areas of need company sells water filter products, employs nearly 50 people, was a finalist so people can have a better life. for the Better Business Bureau’s integrity award, and is currently “hiring like crazy.” “We’ve got a billion people who don’t an impact. So what I’ve done is work to “Our growth story is pretty good so far, have access to pure water. As a result, build a great team of people, and together and we hope to continue,” says Arvig, a we’ve got terrible disease, and we’ve got we’ve built a great company.” Plymouth, Minn., native who launched communities where women and children Arvig credits Professor Carl Moy and WaterFilters.Net out of his family room. have to walk hours every day to get water. his patent law courses for giving him the “Because of our fast growth we’re going We help get wells built in areas of need so foundation to succeed. to keep driving this, and when we get people can have a better life. It’s great to “People think I threw away that law more and more scale, we can continue to be a part of that.” degree, and that’s not the case at all. I make a bigger and bigger difference in the After getting his undergraduate degree use it every day here,” says Arvig. “I’m world, and that’s exciting.” at the University of Minnesota, Arvig very glad I did go to law school. First and A so-called “serial entrepreneur” clerked at a patent law firm and studied foremost it taught me how to learn. It since starting a lawn mowing service patent law at William Mitchell. taught me how to organize, and how when he was in high school, Arvig’s “The first day of law school, during to think, and how to deal with a great ambitions dovetailed with the burgeoning some sort of orientation meeting, we amount of data and keep it organized e-commerce and green movements. Alyssa talked about why we wanted to be and understandable and able to be worked for a Culligan water dealership, lawyers,” he recalls. “A lot of people said communicated. and the couple wed their experience and they wanted to help people, or change “I wanted to do something that I was worked for years to realize their dream. the world, or both. It was a great thing to more passionate about. At that time the They’ve achieved conventional success, and work for a few years with people like that, water filter business was starting to take they’ve donated much time and money people who were inspired by something off so I kept at it. I love the law. I enjoyed to making the world a better place. The bigger than themselves. And in law, you law school. Some people hate it and they company provides clean water education, absolutely can do that. enjoy being a lawyer, but I actually enjoyed fund-raising, and wells in impoverished “But I decided I couldn’t do as much law school. I was just more passionate nations. there as I could elsewhere. I didn’t think about other things. I just felt like I could “The most important part of our I could be an exceptional attorney, but I change the world using my J.D. in a business philosophy is how we serve the thought I could effect change and make different position.”

wmitchell.edu/alumni 17 Photos courtesy of Jamin Arvig

Jeff Anderson’s journey from down-and-flunked-out William Mitchell law student to high-profile defender of victims of sexual abuse has earned him some hard-won wisdom and a lasting legacy.

by Jim Walsh

Ask Jeff Anderson ’75 about evil, and can help others understand the how and he’ll look over his thick round eyeglasses, why of it so it doesn’t happen again. past the huge oak desk that dominates “For me, it’s an acknowledgement of his Lowertown St. Paul, Minn., office, and the human condition, the flaws we all give an answer that suggests the man has have and share, and that we all have the spent a great deal of time considering the capacity for evil. I don’t judge it. I take it for concept. what it is. I name it and see it as a lesson “I deal with the face of evil and its to be learned and to be communicated dimensions every day in this work,” he to others so that then it can be taught. says. “I deal with evil and pain. When I I use the crucible of the courtroom and confront the face of evil—that is, those dissemination of information to the public who would offend children, and those who to do it; that’s how I deal with evil.” allow them to be offended—it would be As the go-to attorney for victims of very easy for me to judge them. And to sexual abuse, Anderson’s work has brought say they are evildoers. Well, they’re not. him face-to-face with some of society’s They’re human beings. most reviled pariahs. For over two decades, “Through therapy, through my own Anderson and his fellow attorneys have recovery from addiction, through self- sued thousands over allegations of sexual examination, I’ve come to realize that I am abuse. no better or worse than any of the people It all started one day in 1983, when, as who I encounter in this world. No better, Anderson tells it, “One kid walked into my no worse. I try to see and understand as office and had the courage to say, ‘Turn the best I can what made them do what they money down. Don’t keep the secret. Go did and not judge them, but identify with public with it.’ One kid who said that to me how it happened and why it happened, so started a transformational movement, and I that together, I, with the other survivors was able to use the law to help him recover

Photo by Michael Crouser wmitchell.edu/alumni 19 his power and expose a problem that prevention, and advocacy programs aimed expanded to advocacy outside of that, had never been sued, and all of a sudden at ending child abuse, neglect, and other and that’s dedicated to prevention, and there’s a new dialogue and a different forms of child maltreatment. that’s where the National Child Protection world.” Under the partnership, Mitchell and Training Center came in years ago. We Since that kid’s visit, Anderson (whose NCPTC will expand their educational realized the work we’re doing with NCPTC own daughter was molested by a family opportunities in child protection and through law is a natural fit at Mitchell.” counselor when she was eight years host an annual conference at Mitchell on The irony of his new role at the college old) has been on a crusade against child preventing child maltreatment for law is not lost on Anderson, who had a bumpy molesters. In 1990, a jury in Anoka County professors, practicing attorneys, students, go-round at William Mitchell the first time. awarded more than $3.5 million to public policy makers, and child protection After graduating from Edina High School Anderson’s client, a 24-year-old man who professionals. NCPTC recently opened in 1965, converting to Catholicism in 1966 sued his church’s officials, saying he was an office at William Mitchell, headed by (he now describes himself as a student abused as a child. NCPTC Deputy Director Amy Russell, who of Buddhism who lives “a life of love and law”), and graduating from the University of Minnesota in 1971, Anderson decided to go to law school. “When I went to Mitchell, I had a I’d rather choose love family,” he sighs. “I got married at the age of 19 and had a kid when I was a over fear, hate, resentment, or judgment. kid. I found Mitchell to be a really hard experience. I flunked out. Then I got kicked out because I either didn’t attend class or one of my daughters was born and I didn’t Since then, there have been more, has started working with professors and bother to study. But I tested back in. That’s many more, and these days Anderson’s alumni, including Anderson. what happened. The first three years at everyday work takes him to abuse cases “Through this partnership with the Mitchell came very hard. For me they were in Los Angeles, Green Bay, Wis., and State National Child Protection Training Center, uninspired.” College, Pa., where the Penn State scandal which was started by Victor Vieth at Inspiration came in his third year. He has found a new poster boogeyman in Winona State University, we can get at the had read John Farrell’s book “Clarence former coach Jerry Sandusky. problem before we even get involved,” Darrow: Attorney For The Damned,” “When Penn State broke, we brought says Anderson. and saw a similar niche he might fit, as the first case there and are keenly involved “I oftentimes as a lawyer have to deal an attorney for the underprivileged and in that,” Anderson says. “And with the with the aftermath, the abuse, and what unrepresented. His turning point came sorrow that comes of that comes great can be done after the harm has been done. when, while working at Mitchell’s criminal opportunity because it creates a narrative After the injury, or the insult. After the clinic under the tutelage of the clinic around sexual abuse that is not just about betrayal. After the assault. After the abuse director at the time, the Hon. Rosalie Wahl the Catholic church.” of power. One of the great joys is knowing ‘67, he successfully represented an African To that end, Anderson and his wife, that we don’t have to end it there, but that American man who had been arrested for Julie, have recently teamed with William it can be the beginning of something else: using a white man’s restroom. Mitchell to create a partnership with the The recovery of power and the protection The experience “lit up” Anderson, National Child Protection Training Center of others. whom Wahl then told, “Yes, Jeff. You can (NCPTC). The NCPTC is a nationally “But the law limits some of the things make a difference.” recognized center for education, that we can do. So our work has really He was, as he says, “off to the races.”

20 mITCHELL on law He volunteered as a public defender in experience that said, ‘This is something leading a purposeful and meaningful life order to “represent the dispossessed, the that you must do; this is something that and the efforts that I make are born of disempowered, and the disenfranchised will fill you up and fully engage you with love. —with which I’ve always identified, even the world.’” “In all the things we do I try to embrace though I was not.” He also was doing a lot These days, the father of six and the principals of love. I think it’s an of drinking. grandfather of one is all about being fully underused word. With the seemingly most “I pursued the passions of law and my engaged—with family, friends, clients, and evil among us, if I start judging them it passion for drinking at the same time, himself. takes up space for loving them, and so though my passion for drink didn’t get in “I try to be self-aware,” he says. “I I’d rather choose love over fear, hate, the way of my passions for helping those think having lived as an alcoholic for the resentment, or judgment. that I care about,” says Anderson, who has many years that I did, it disconnected me “Working with survivors, I have an been sober for 15 years. “My practice was from myself and the world and the people abiding hope—and I do believe this—that vibrant, and a lot of people came to me for around me, either the people I loved or every day in some way we can make a help, and I was active and happy. And then who loved me. And then once I began difference for them because we’re trying in 1983 I had a family come into my office recovery 15 years ago and started to do today to do something to shape tomorrow. whose son had been abused. And as a self-examination through therapy and That’s what keeps me, at the age of 65, result of that, I started to investigate, and I other things, I began to develop spirituality just getting warmed up.” realized that there was a serious problem in in my own imperfections. the clerical culture that I could not let go, “I find some spirituality in all things and that’s what led me to ultimately follow living, and try to live a life of respect for a path that was lit for me through that them. At the same time, I feel like I am

Photo by Michael Crouser wmitchell.edu/alumni 21 by Nancy Crotti Former Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Helen Meyer ’83 plans to dedicate the next part of her career to helping children in need find their plan for the future.

Helen Meyer went to law school because she felt that’s just what life is. So to be separated without a compelled to help abused and neglected children. plan for the future is very terrifying.” In her first career as a social worker, Meyer worked The separation can also be trying for accused with some of these children in a locked psychiatric parents, many of whom struggle with the effects of ward. Many were chemically dependent, had run racial disparities, poverty, chemical dependency, and away from home, or had been in trouble with the anger issues. Meyer realized that with proper legal law. She was surprised at how many wanted to return representation and advocacy, many parents willing to home to their parents, the very people who had take the steps to get their lives in order could have harmed them. their children returned to them. “There’s a powerful need to be with family, even Her legal career veered away from child protection, if the family is abusive. For a lot of kids, there is no however. She clerked at a personal injury firm awareness that what happened to them is wrong or and practiced in that area for 20 years before her is abnormal,” Meyer said. “They’ve obviously grown appointment to the Minnesota Supreme Court. up in an environment where for many of them,

A Blow to Parents in Need Protection Cases, which was founded in approached William Mitchell, proposing response to the public defender situation. what would become the Child Protection Parent representation took a blow due to She chaired that workgroup and was Clinic, which just completed its first year in state budget cuts in 2008. The Minnesota the court’s liaison to the judicial branch’s operation. Board of Public Defense stopped Children’s Justice Initiative. Eight students who participated in representing parents accused of child “My objective always has been to get the Child Protection Clinic this year got abuse and neglect, leaving counties to pick the best possible outcomes for these kids a crash course in child protection law up the tab if they chose. in our system,” Meyer said. “Sometimes, and learned about child abuse, domestic “The system was thrown into a crisis the best outcome is for parents to get their violence, and chemical dependency, because you can’t have a case proceed acts together, to make changes.” according to Resident Adjunct Professor without anyone to represent the parent,” Meyer believes parents need lawyers and Clinic Director Joanna Woolman. They Meyer said. who know how to push the courts to represented mothers in 12 Ramsey County Lack of representation means cases ensure clients receive the services they cases. Some clients had been sexually or get delayed, creating more difficulties need, as well as how to push parents to physically abused. for families, according to Dakota County change their lives in meaningful ways. At “It’s a whole complex set of Attorney James Backstrom ’78. most, parents are given a year to turn their circumstances that has led them to where “These are extremely important cases lives around if they want to reunite with they are,” said Woolman, who has spent in our legal system, and they are often their children and the court deems it wise. most of her career as a public defender. the most difficult for any attorney to be “For the most part, clients want to become involved in,” Backstrom said. “It’s very The Child Protection Clinic better people and want their children to important that all sides to these conflicts come home.” have legal representation.” Meyer found that even among attorneys She supervised the students in court and Meyer asked Backstrom to serve on the hired by counties, few had the training helped them work closely with the county Minnesota Judicial Council’s Workgroup and experience they needed to adequately attorney, guardian ad litem, and county on Legal Representation of Parents in Child represent these parents. So in 2010, she child protection caseworker. Seven of the

Photo courtesy of Michael Crouser wmitchell.edu/alumni 23 families have been reunited either through and outreach aimed at improving the a trial home visit or having their cases way the nation’s legal system works with closed. children and families. Woolman praised Meyer for proposing Very few families who get involved in and publicizing the clinic and chairing its the child protection system can afford to advisory board, on which Backstrom also hire a lawyer, according to Linda Foreman, serves. Seven students are signed up to executive director of Children’s Law Center. participate this fall. Although the center handles many cases “Child protection is an issue that she’s of severe abuse and neglect, about 60 passionate about,” the clinic director said. percent of its cases could result in children “She recognizes that you ultimately help being returned to the home if their parents children if you give parents a good lawyer.” had better representation. “It makes a Leaders at the Children’s Law Center huge difference,” Foreman said. of Minnesota, which represents children Larene Randle, a parent advisor on the who have been removed from their homes Child Protection Clinic’s advisory board, Thanks to a generous gift from because they need protection, agreed. believes that having an advocate would Helen Meyer and Bill Bieber, They also praised Woolman and said her have made a difference for her. Several the Child Protection Clinic students took on difficult cases. Woolman years ago, officials removed Randle’s eight- gave eight Mitchell students real-world experience working believes that gives the clinic legitimacy. year-old son from her care after he got in with 12 families in Ramsey Woolman provides the students with trouble in school and said he was afraid to County, Minn. Seven of the a great deal of support, according to go home, according to Randle. families were reunited either Anne Gueinzius, managing attorney at A child protection worker gave Randle through a trial home visit or having their cases closed. the nonprofit law center. “You can see a book about child discipline, and her son Together, the students in that they are truly gaining a great deal of returned to her in a week. She was not the clinic put in more than 700 courtroom experience as well as advocating charged with a crime, but Randle never hours of pro bono legal work. for their clients,” Gueinzius said. forgot her panic during the three days To bolster the work of advocacy for when she didn’t know where her son was. Learn more children and their families, Meyer and her “I couldn’t sleep. I couldn’t think. I just wmitchell.edu/clinics husband, Bill Bieber, recently established a had to function,” said Randle, who also $1 million chair_the Justice Helen M. had two younger children. Meyer Chair in Child Protection_at the Randle said she was a young parent My objective college. The couple also provided a who didn’t know that her family would always has been matching fund for additional gifts to the benefit from therapy and education about endowed chair, which is designed to allow child nurturing and attachment. Now to get the best a law professor to focus on protecting a volunteer with Prevent Child Abuse possible outcomes children at risk because of abuse or neglect Minnesota, Randle considers the Child through court reform, public policies, and Protection Clinic at Mitchell “a breath for these kids the development of best practices. of fresh air in the community.” She is in our system. Recently, Associate Dean for Academic grateful to Meyer for starting the clinic and Programs Nancy Ver Steegh was awarded overseeing its development. the position, which is unique nationally in “You can see the heart she has for its focus on child protection. It will allow people,” Randle said. “She’s very vocal and Ver Steegh to advance teaching, research, very candid, and she’s still inspiring.”

24 mITCHELL on law Photo by Tim Rummelhoff GIVING BACK, GIVING FORWARD

Thanks to William Mitchell friends and alumni, last RECORD ANNUAL FUND PARTICIPATION RATE year was another good one for the law school’s fundraising efforts. We raised $4.5 million (our third- highest amount ever), and a record 18.2 percent of alumni made a gift to the Annual Fund—which put the college in the top 20 percent of all ABA- accredited law schools for alumni participation. Annual Fund participation is critical for Mitchell because it allows the law school to compete for top students, offer real-world learning opportunities, and 18.2% maintain its position as the region’s law school of choice. In addition, several alumni made leadership gifts, which will benefit students, the community, Thank you. and Mitchell for generations.

Three who supported Mitchell in 2011-12

Jeff ’75 and Briggs and Morgan David Julie Anderson and Xcel Energy Bland ’79

Thanks to a leadership gift from Briggs and Morgan, one of the Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi Jeff and Julie Anderson, the law top law firms in Minnesota, and insurance attorney and current school has created a partnership Xcel Energy, a major electricity Mitchell alumni board member with the National Child Protection and natural gas company, David Bland marked the 25th Training Center in Winona, Minn. established the Briggs and Morgan/ anniversary of his law school Under the partnership, Mitchell Xcel Energy Chair in Energy & graduation by making a gift to and the center will expand their Environmental Law through a the Annual Fund for the 25th educational opportunities in child permanent endowment at Mitchell. consecutive year. Bland is one of protection and together host an With an endowment of about $1 only 36 alumni who have made annual conference at the law school million, the new chair was recently gifts for at least 25 straight years. on child maltreatment for law awarded to Professor Mehmet

professors, practicing attorneys, Konar-Steenberg, who teaches and Learn more anD GIVe students, public policy makers, and writes extensively on public policy, child protection professionals. commerce, and regulatory issues. wmitchell.edu/giving

wmitchell.edu/alumni 25 Melissa Wright has held many a moniker since graduating 18 years ago. She’s been called senior counsel at Wells Fargo, assistant attorney general for the State of Minnesota, J.D. counselor, and “Mom” by two young children. Recently, thanks to private gifts to Mitchell, she was able to add another title to her resume: the law school’s first externship director. Turns out, her new job is a good thing for 6 everyone involved—students, alumni, and Wright. THINGS What, exactly, is an externship, anyWay? Where do the externship 1 4 opportunities come from? Good question—I get asked that a lot. An about externship is like an internship, except the I spend a lot of time outside the law school. students don’t get paid. They receive credits I work on building relationships with people MELISSA WRIGHT ’93 instead. Students are placed in offices outside who have interesting legal work and may be of the school where they can gain practical interested in having a Mitchell extern. Right experience and a chance to use what they now I’m focusing my efforts on places where learn in the classroom by working on real- strong externship opportunities exist, but they world problems. have not been strategically tapped into by our school or generally known to the students. 2 that sounds like a pretty good deal I’m working on government agencies for the employer. speaking of Which, and compliance-related opportunities for When you Were in laW school, did you students. Also, many of our students do a ever think you’d someday be employed great job finding placements themselves by William mitchell? through alumni, mentors, and other contacts.

No. When I was in law school I thought I’d 5 do you miss practicing the laW? always be in practice. That’s all I knew, and that’s what students were exposed to. My There always will be a part of me that will goal was to work for the attorney general’s miss practicing law. I did what I wanted office—I had a clerkship there during my third to do, but I was ready to move on. There year at Mitchell. are amazing opportunities beyond the But it’s nice to be back, and I love the job. traditional practice of law, and for me, it was just a matter of time to find that right job. 3 What is it that an externship Now, I get to use my experience to educate director does? students. Students are eager to learn, and their enthusiasm for the work they do outside I work with students to help them find the school energizes me each day. Like other externship opportunities. I help them use working parents, I continuously adjust and the tools we have available and leverage tweak my work-life balance. This is the right networking opportunities. I need to make job for me at this point in my life. sure that the placement site is appropriate for learning and that students have focused, 6 speaking of finding the right job, individual learning goals that they can What types of companies and accomplish during their externship. I also help organizations “hire” externs? to align their career goals with externships that can help them develop the skills they’ll Nonprofits, government, businesses, and law need to be successful. firms—it’s pretty much anywhere where there is legal work and J.D.s who can supervise students. I’d add that it works best if the supervisor enjoys working with students and wants to help students learn. Anyone interested in learning more should contact me at 651-290-6369. Or they can email me at [email protected].

26 mITCHELL on law Photo by Tim Rummelhoff CLASS NOTES

1967 ROSALIE WAHL is the 1981 STACYA.DEKALB was subject of a documen- elected to a two-year tary called She Who KARLA HANCOCK ’80 term on the board of Would Giants Fight. The 1978 directors of Lommen, feature-length docu- JUDGE CAROL HOOTEN Abdo, Cole, King & Like a lot of Mitchell graduates, Karla mentary tells the story of was appointed to fill the Stageberg, a trial, busi- Hancock didn’t originally see herself as Justice Wahl’s life and of Second Congressional ness, and entertainment the Minnesota women’s an attorney. She started out as a teacher, District seat on the law firm with offices in movement of the 1970s then went into sales for a while. In her late Minnesota Court of Minneapolis, Hudson, that made it possible for Appeals. She had served Wisconsin, and New York 20s, she enrolled at Mitchell and began a her to be appointed the as a Scott County District City. legal career that ended in January 2012 first woman to the Min- Court judge since 2002. nesota Supreme Court. when she retired as a judge for Minne- THOMAS D. JENSEN was sota’s 10th District Court in Sherburne 1971 elected president of the County. (The 10th is the state’s second- GORDON W. SHUMAKER Hennepin County Bar largest judicial district, behind the 4th retired from his judge- Association for the 2012- District in Hennepin County.) ship on the Minnesota 2013 term. Court of Appeals. He 1982 Along the way, Hancock made stops at was appointed by Gov. 1980 the Hennepin County Attorney’s office, Arne Carlson in 1998. the St. Paul City Attorney’s office, and the 1973 Minneapolis firm of Miller and Boeder be- fore being appointed judge by Gov. Jesse MARGARET A.LEARY was named librarian emerita Ventura in 2000. She will continue to serve upon her retirement BARBARA J. GISLASON as a senior judge, hearing cases when from the faculty of the has been appointed called. University of Michigan, chair of Division IV of ELIZABETH DINNDORF Hancock was a key part of the Mitchell where she was director the ABA Section on Intel- was named 18th presi- of the law library and lectual Property. She was Mix before the term was even coined. dent of Columbia Col- librarian. She also pub- also appointed president She’s a testament to the diversity of back- lege in Columbia, S.C. lished a book, “Giving of the Paris-based Union grounds Mitchell students encompass, and it All Away: The Story Internationale des Avo- DAVID ZAUDTKE was part of her legacy will be the legal impact of William W. Cook and cats (UIA) Biotechnology appointed partner-in- one can make regardless of when a career His Michigan Law Quad” Law Working Group and charge of Eide Bailly’s (University of Michigan as a member of the UIA begins. Minneapolis office. He Press). board of directors. continues to chair the 1974 PARIS A. GUNTHER was firm’s Wealth Manage- named the first chief ment Group. STEPHEN R. BERGERSON marketing officer of received the 2011 Alum- Kleinberg, Kaplan, Wolff ni of the Year lifetime 1983 & Cohen, a New York VICKI L. BAILEY was achievement award from law firm representing elected president of the Sisseton High School in clients in transactional, American College of Sisseton, S.D. regulatory, trusts and Investment Council, a 1976 estates, tax, real estate, national organization litigation, and securities whose members special- TIMOTHY K. CONNELL matters. ize in representing retired after 24 years institutional investors in as a judge in the Fifth MARK P. WOOD is a privately negotiated Judicial District. He was principal in Wood, Rue investments. appointed in 1987 by and Holt in Litchfield, Gov. Rudy Perpich. Minn., a firm formed by the merger of Wood, Berry, Rue with Holt Law Office.

wmitchell.edu/alumni 27 CLASS NOTES

1990 1996 SHAYNE HAMANN was elected as a shareholder DANYOUNG was ap- STACYS.RAMDAS joined at Arthur, Chapman, pointed co-chair of Mulinix Ogden Hall & Kettering, Smetak & Lommen Abdo’s Business Ludlam. Pikala. She specializes GARY L. HUUSKO was MARGIE BODAS was Law Group. in automobile-related appointed to the District selected as one of the 1997 litigation and handles 196 School Board. 2012 Women in Business MIN (AMY) S. XU, at- a variety of first- and District 196 includes all Industry Leaders by the torney and partner third-party cases, as well or part of Rosemount, “Minneapolis St. Paul with Dorsey & Whitney, as rental car litigation. Apple Valley, Eagan, Business Journal.” She is has been named to Burnsville, Coates, Inver vice president of practice the board of directors CRYSTAL CONNOR BRIAN GROGAN was re- Grove Heights, Lake- management at Lom- of Cultural Jambalaya, received a Thurgood elected to a three-year ville, and Empire and men, Abdo, Cole, King & a nonprofit that uses Marshall College Fund Dis- term on the board of Vermillion townships in Stageberg. international cultural tinguished Young Leader directors of Moss & Bar- Minnesota. photography to promote award for her commu- nett. He is chair of the 1987 understanding and re- nity work in Miami-Dade CAROL L. NIELSEN was firm’s infrastructure and MARK H. PARSONS was spect for all cultures. County. She was also appointed interim municipal communica- named vice chancellor named one of South dean of Bemidji State tions practice areas. for university advance- 1998 Florida’s 50 most powerful University’s College of ment and marketing REBECCA M. RUE is a prin- and influential black busi- Business, Technology 1992 at the University of cipal in Wood, Rue and ness leaders of 2012. and Communication. It WALTER LEHMANN Wisconsin-Stout. Holt in Litchfield, Minn., was the second time she is chair of the newly a firm formed by the has been named interim JAMES E. NELSON was ap- formed ABA Copyright 1999 merger of Wood, Berry, SUSAN ALLEN was dean for the college. pointed senior counsel, Policy Committee. He is Rue with Holt Law Office. elected to the Minnesota responsible for product also on the faculty of the House representing Dis- 1984 development by the Al- ALI-ABA Legal Issues in MICHAELS.SOLBERG, trict 61B. She is the first STEVENI. LOWENTHAL lianz Life Insurance Co. Museum Adminstration president of State Bank openly lesbian Native was named to the board of North America. CLE program. and Trust, the largest American elected to the of directors of Appliance independently owned Minnesota Legislature. Recycling Centers of 1988 1993 bank in North Dakota, America. MARY SHEAREN received MARTIN D. SCHUTZ South Dakota and Min- SUSAN M. HOLT is a prin- a Top Women in Finance received the 2011 Arch- cipal in Wood, Rue and MICHAEL DITTBERNER nesota, launched the award from “Finance & bishop’s Leading with Holt in Litchfield, Minn., received the Designation bank’s “Pay It Forward” Commerce.” The award Faith Award. a firm formed by the of Distinguished Member project, leading to more honors women who are merger of Wood, Berry, by the Family Law Sec- than $2.1 million being making notable contri- 1994 Rue with Holt Law Office. tion of the Minnesota given to individuals and butions to their profes- CATHERINE M. State Bar Association. organizations in need. JOSHUA HILLGER joined sions, their communities, MCPHERSON was ap- The award recognizes the firm of Felhaber, and society at large pointed a district court CORY P. WHALEN of his longstanding and Larson, Fenlon and Vogt, throughout Minnesota. judge in Minnesota’s Sieben, Grose, Von prodigious efforts on 10th Judicial District, Holtum & Carey has practicing in the areas behalf of family law in 1989 which includes Anoka been certified as a life of estate planning and appellate writing, legisla- estate administration. REGINALD S. GIBSON JR County. member of both the tive action, rule-making, was named to the 20th Million Dollar Advocates CYNTHIA MILLER now has and continuing legal GARY CHRISTENSEN was Circuit Judicial Nomi- Forum and the Multi- a law office in Princeton, education. appointed vice president nating Commission by Million Dollar Advocates and general counsel at Minn., in addition to her Florida Gov. Rick Scott. Forum, which recognize Securian. Minneapolis office. 1986 The appointment term attorneys who have won DAVID HOFFMAN was runs from Oct. 4, 2011, million and multi-million named principal of Is- to July 1, 2015. dollar verdicts, awards, land Park Elementary in and settlements and Mercer Island, Wash. acknowledge excellence in advocacy. ROBIN HATHAWAY mar- ried Brandon Sommer June 9, 2012 in Chicago.

28 MITCHELL on law CLASS NOTES

2004 2006 JONATHAN D. OLSON was RANDI A.SETTER joined promoted to principal at Matt Legal Services. LarsonAllen. NATHAN WITZANY has 2001 ARTHUR G.BOYLAN was joined the intellectual SHANNON NELSON joined elected shareholder of property department at Arthur, Chapman, Ket- Leonard, Street and Winthrop & Weinstine. tering, Smetak & Pikala Deinard. He is a member of the as an associate, working patent law & prosecu- NANCY HYLDEN became in the firm’s workers’ tion, intellectual proper- a partner at Faegre Bak- compensation practice ty, and patent litigation er Daniels. Her practice group. practice groups. focuses on government 2002 relations. She joined the DEANNE KOLL (BAHTI) firm in 1997 as a lobbyist was named a “Rising CHRISTINE A.KROELLS before attending Wil- Star” by Wisconsin Super was one of the first two liam Mitchell. Lawyers, which recogniz- recipients of the United es the top up-and-com- States Attorney’s Of- ISAAC ENDELEY was ap- ing attorneys in the state fice Justice Award. She pointed Chief of the De- who are 40 years old or Mitchell is proud to add received the award for fence Support Section by younger and have been Minnesota Rep. Susan her work as an inspector the Office of Administra- practicing for 10 years with the United State tion of the Extraordinary Allen, LL.M. ’00 to its list or less. She was also pro- Postal Inspection Service. Chambers in the Courts of alumni who are “firsts.” moted to shareholder at of Cambodia. Allen is the first openly ANGELA SAVERICE-ROHAN Bakke Norman. lesbian American Indian was named general counsel and chief privacy 2005 2007 GINA TERSTEEG FOX was state legislator in the officer for Spokeo, a BRETT KLEIN has joined elected shareholder of country. people search engine. the intellectual property Leonard, Street and She is responsible for department at Winthrop Deinard. Spokeo’s privacy compli- & Weinstine. He is a ance and provides coun- F. JOHN WILLIAMS III has member of the pat- What are some of the “Mitchell Firsts” sel on all legal matters. been named a share- ent law & prosecution, holder in the Vogel Law intellectual property up to these days? A quick update: Firm. He practices at the litigation, intellectual firm’s Moorhead office. property, and patent liti- gation practice groups.

ROSALIE WAHL ’67 AARON HALL relocated The first woman to serve on the Minnesota 2003 his firm, Twin Cities Law Supreme Court is the subject of a feature-length Firm, to the AT&T Tower BRIAN BENKSTEIN was documentary scheduled to be completed in 2012. in downtown Minneapo- certified by the Minne- lis. Twin Cities Law Firm sota State Bar Associa- MATTHEWSTEINBRINK primarily practices busi- tion as an MSBA Board joined the personal ness law and litigation. LORI SWANSON ’95 Certified Labor and Em- injury practice of Sieben, Minnesota’s first woman attorney general is serving ployment Law Specialist, Grose, Von Holtum & her second term in office and will be up for re-elec- an achievement earned Carey. He focuses on 2008 THOMAS BERNDT was tion in 2014. by fewer than three serious motor-vehicle elected to the Standish- percent of all licensed crashes, explosion and Ericsson Neighborhood Minnesota attorneys. burn injuries, and cases HASSAN ALI MOHAMUD ’02 of wrongful death. Association board in The first Somali law graduate in Minnesota is a legal SAM RUFER was elected Minneapolis. advocate for Mid-Minnesota Legal Assistance, which partner at Pemberton, provides legal help for low-income populations, Sorlie, Rufer and Ker- seniors, and people with disabilities. shner.

wmitchell.edu/alumni 29 CLASS NOTES IN MEMORIAM

Lindsey M. skerrett has formed Skerrett 1951 1956 1974 donaLd giPPLe, 86, barbara f. goLdstein, MichaeL h. cunniff, 63, Legal Consulting, a pro- Dec. 4, 2011. Survived 73, Aug. 21, 2011, Nov. 29, 2011. Survived vider of legal research, by his children, Nancy Survived by husband, by his wife, Patricia; writing, and editing kate Johansen Gipple (Kinji Akagawa), Richard Goldstein; sons, children, Michele Cun- services to private and completed her year as Barbara Gipple, Cynthia Hugh Fisher (Maria), niff Faherty (Rory), and corporate practitioners. a Policy Fellow at the Gipple (Bob MacNeal), Joshua Fisher and Maureen Cunniff Nagle University of Minne- Jack Gipple (Trista Michael Fisher (Anne); (Ryan); and grandchil- sota’s Humphrey School Hollerbach); and eight stepsons, Arthur dren, Aidan and Julia of Public Affairs. She grandchildren. Goldstein, Jonathan Faherty and Keira and was one of 35 people Goldstein and Benjamin Isabel Nagle. selected for the 2011- carL PeLtonieMi, 88, Goldstein; stepdaugh- 2009 2012 program. March 1, 2012. Survived ter, Naomi Goldstein; 1975 by his wife, Marilyn; brother, Charles Edel- david W. Lee, 64, Jan. Zachary Longsdorf children, Eric (Rosa), stein (Sara); sister, Jean 29, 2011. Survived by married Kati Reiland 2010 MarLa J. honsky mar- Carl (Mary), Joan (Bob); Schore. wife, Mary Amundson; June 3, 2011 in Red ried Chuck Stanton on five grandchildren and children, Damon (Re- Wing, Minn. Dec.10, 2011. two great-grandchil- 1959 becca), Amanda (Corey) Jacob PhiLLiPs founded dren. charLes ungeMach, Sperstad, Dusty, Chad JaMes M. caiLao joined RoadTab, which 81, Dec. 24, 2011. Sur- (Christine) Amundson, Vogel Law Firm, con- matches consumers vived by wife, Bettyann; and Julie Amundson; centrating on the areas 1953 with mechanics for free John “Jack” Mork, 84, son, Roger (MaryJane); grandchildren, David, of family/domestic law estimates. The public Jan. 17, 2012. Survived daughters, Julie Collver Mikko, Sophia, Lauren and criminal defense. company has expanded by his wife, Mary Ann; (Keith) and Susan and Leah; step-mother, from the Twin Cities to sister, Marilyn Young; Feeback (Derek); nine Millie; sister, Karen Atlanta and Milwaukee. 2011 children, John (Carol), grandchildren and one Mayhew; step-brother, gregory J. young is Mollie (Blair), Bill (Mar- great-granddaughter. Dan (Judy) Nelson. an associate at Goetz & garet) and Peter (Katie); Eckland. and seven grandchil- 1963 JosePh baden, 68, July keep us Joshua r. Ward was dren. charLes Mertensotto, 31, 2011. Survived by hired by Hellmuth & 83, Oct. 24, 2011. wife, Barb; mother, Johnson, concentrat- 1955 Survived by Arlean, his Lucille; children, Kristin ing on licensing and John o’brien, 83, Jan. wife; daughters Lynn (Dan) and Brett (Court- P STED technology contracts, 23, 2012. Survived by Mertensotto Girouard ney); granddaughter, intellectual property, his wife, Sharon; chil- and Sandy Novitzki; and Ava; sisters, Judy and dren, Patrick (Sue), Mi- son, Robert. Jenee; brothers, Jim Let the Mitchell Mob and general corporate chael (Barbara), Bridget and Jon. know what you’ve law. (David) Bohline, Colleen 1964 accomplished. Send us Matt streff joined the (Jon) Berglund, Tamara JaMes d. gibbs, 76, 1978 your Class Notes updates. firm of Felhaber, Lar- Homayoon, Kelly Sept. 3, 2011. Survived rodney M. french, 79, son, Fenlon and Vogt as eMaiL (Gary) Seivert, Timothy by Mary, his wife; 10 Nov. 24, 2011. Survived a staff attorney. [email protected] (Carolyn) Kluender; children, Anne Lorbeski, by his wife, Sally French;

onLine nine grandchildren and Molly Jakacki, James four children, Sarah wmitchell.edu/alumni 2012 three great-grandchil- Gibbs II, Muffie Pear- Richard (George), Edie brittne Perfetti mar- dren. son, Marne Hicke, Pat- French (Paul Auguston), fax ried Andrew Gabrielson rick Gibbs, Sean Gibbs, Arthur French (Kyoko), 651-290-7502 Nov. 19, 2011 in Alexan- Missy Norlander, Erin and Ellen French; 10 dria, Minn. Phone Young, and Matt Gibbs; grandchildren; three 651-290-6370 a brother, Ned Gibbs; great-grandchildren; MaiL two sisters, Lucy Im- and many nieces and Mitchell on Law holte and Judy Kerr; 26 nephews. 875 Summit Ave. grandchildren; and five St. Paul, MN 55105 great-grandchildren.

We (and your classmates) look forward to hearing from you!

30 mITCHELL on law iN MeMoriAM

1979 1983 William HersHleder, benno saleWski, 82, 84, Nov. 5, 2011. Jan. 5, 2012. Survived Survived by his wife, by his wife, Mary Met- An Advocate’s Advocate Barbara; children, Jill calfe Waldo; children, Holmquist and Jim Stephen Salewski Mike Ford ’79 Hershleder; stepchil- (Karen), Elizabeth dren Heidi Vader (Pe- Salewski Schertz, Mat- For 33 years, Mike Ford served not just his clients, but ter), Bridget Herrmann thew Salewski, Rebecca (Joel), and Colin Ireton Salewski, Deborah the entire legal community. Ford, who was 64 when he (Lori); grandchildren Salewski Winkelman; died June 17, 2012, was head of the Minnesota State Kathryn Savage (Jason) stepson, Andrew Waldo Bar Association in 2008-09 and was extremely active in and their son Henry, of Little Rock, Ark.; professional organizations, including serving as president Shane and Leo Vader, and grandchildren, Em- of the Stearns Benton Bar Association and the Minnesota Samuel, Matthew and ily and James Schertz, Nicholas Herrmann, Anthony and Dupree Defense Lawyers Association. Amanda Crowder and Winkelman. Throughout his career at the Quinlivan & Hughes law firm her daughter, Kenadi, in St. Cloud, Ford was well known for his advocacy of getting Chelsea, Samuel, Isaiah, 2004 involved, often encouraging young attorneys to do more Elijah, and Jeremiah robin sCHirmer, 56, Ireton. June 15, 2012. than just their jobs. “Mike cared about people in general, no matter their 1980 Friends status or position,” said Minnesota State Bar Association robert e. middleton Jane oCHrymoWyCz, President Brent Routman in a statement following Ford’s Jr., 62, Sept. 14, 2011. 74, Dec. 30, 2011. death. “He was not afraid to challenge the status quo or Preceded in death by Advisory board member wife, Theresa. Survived for the William Mitchell ask tough questions. However, he always did so in the most by sister-in-law, Patricia Center for Elder Justice genial way, as a seeker of information and as a way to forge (Jim) Trombley; nephew & Policy. Survived by something better. He was humble, quick to give credit to and godson, Mat her daughter and son- others.” Trombley; grand nieces, in-law, Cindy and Jim He was also quick to help others. In 2009, Ford helped Ashley and Sydney; and Murphy; and their chil- many cousins. dren, Julia, Will, Allison form an MSBA response team to help with issues related and Grace. to the Red River flooding in the Fargo-Moorhead area, dennis l. strand, 66, promising that the organization would provide any Jan. 4, 2011. Survived Gerald trossen Flom, assistance it could. by his wife, Helen, and 81, Dec. 20, 2011. brother, Tom. Former trustee for Wil- A veteran of the U.S. Army, Ford liam Mitchell. Survived was involved in youth 1982 by partner, Scott H. soccer, Boy Scouts, PHiliP C. Warner, 58, Johnson; former wife, and mock trial. Sept. 6, 2011. Survived Martha Flom; daughter He is survived by by his wife, Kristi; and son-in-law, Sarah daughter Melissa (Jody) and Gary Kiecker; son his wife, Rose, Gilbertson of Blaine, and daughter-in-law, sons Timothy grandchildren Jordan & Craig and Susan Flom; and Joseph, and Haley; parents Paul and and grandchildren, granddaughter Mary Warner, brother Evan Kiecker and Emily, Peter (Tracy) Warner, Ben and Peter Flom. Vivian Rose. and their children Eliza- beth and Eleanor.

wmitchell.edu/alumni 31 Where would we be to the if not for Mitchell?

As Mitchell begins its 113th school year, 260 new students have settled into their chairs to begin their careers in law. They have made a personal investment in the quality and creativity of Mitchell, counting on us to open many doors of opportunity and success. Their decision to come to Mitchell is an honor for us all, since the students had many law school options. In my comments to the 2012 graduating class last spring, I mentioned POINT how I still recall the first lecture to my class 44 years ago. Take a few seconds Stephen Bonner ’72 to remember your own arrival at Mitchell; you were probably a bit nervous, excited, and not entirely sure what to expect. CHAIR, BOARD OF TRUSTEES Today we are travelling the paths of our lives with the skills we developed at Mitchell there to support us. We all expect Mitchell’s brand and reputation to enhance our own. We expect Mitchell to stand for its mission and continue to enhance our communities. Indeed, where would we be if not for Mitchell? We all share the strengths of Mitchell. And we all share the opportunity—and the obligation—to support the growth and success of the college. As the new chair of Mitchell’s board of trustees, I ask each of you to take a moment this year to show your appreciation for the contributions Mitchell has made in your life. I’m not asking for a lot, just three things:

1. Be an amBassador for mitchell. Share your success story with others. Tell prospective students about Mitchell’s brand of practical legal education, how it works, and why they should consider attending William Mitchell. 2. Be actively engaged. Attend an event. Read the eNewsletter. Mentor a student. Come back to campus; you may be surprised at how good it feels to deepen your Mitchell connection. 3. support mitchell financially. Make a gift to the Annual Fund in support of scholarships, clinics, the law review, or another area in which you’re interested. Make a longer-term gift through your estate planning, or by contributing to an endowed chair or one of the other strategic programs. Your support helps us recruit top students, strengthen our academic programs, and enhance Mitchell’s reputation.

This year’s incoming class made the same decision you did—to attend the law school “for the real world.” Let’s show them how thrilled we are for them, and about our alma mater, by doing all we can to support our law school.

Have a great year!

32 mITCHELL on law Photo courtesy of Cancer Treatment Centers of America See for yourself how your gifts make a difference

Every gift to Mitchell matters. NEED HELP MAKING A GIFT TO MITCHELL? Reach out to a Mitchell graduate who’s an expert and can help. Students get scholarships. The William Mitchell Gift Planning Board of Advisors Real people get help through our clinics. comprises 14 people (including 11 Mitchell graduates) with expertise in specific areas of financial planning. And judges and lawyers rely on our Law Review. They are available to answer your giving questions.

It happens every day. And it can happen before your eyes. Want to know more about them? Stop by Mitchell and see for yourself the difference your gifts make. Visit wmitchell.edu/Giving. Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Twin Cities, MN Permit No. 1300

875 Summit Avenue St. Paul, MN 55105-3076

01033 2012-09