Perspectives the MAGAZINE for the UNIVERSITY of MINNESOTA LAW SCHOOL
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FALL 2014 Perspectives THE MAGAZINE FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA LAW SCHOOL IN THIS ISSUE Introducing the Energy Transition Lab Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Center for New Americans: Success in Year One Theory at Work: Mark Kappelhoff Faculty Profile: John H. Matheson DEAN BOARD OF ADVISORS Perspectives is a general interest magazine published David Wippman Sitso W. Bediako (’08) in the fall and spring of the academic year for the Amy L. Bergquist (’07) University of Minnesota Law School community of alumni, ASSISTANT DEAN AND CHIEF OF STAFF Karin J. Birkeland (’87) friends, and supporters. Letters to the editor or any other Nora Klaphake James L. Chosy (’89) communication regarding content should be sent to Jennifer Ciresi (’07) Cynthia Huff ([email protected]), Director of Communications, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS William E. Drake (’66) University of Minnesota Law School, 229 19th Avenue South, Cynthia Huff John F. Hartmann (’87) 421 Mondale Hall, Minneapolis, MN 55455. Gary J. Haugen (’74) EDITOR AND WRITER Cathy F. Haukedahl (’79) Jeff Johnson Rachel C. Hughey (’03) The University of Minnesota shall provide equal access to Joan D. Humes (’90) and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST E. Michael Johnson (’91) without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, Valerie Mason Jay L. Kim (’88) gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance Lynn S. Krominga (’74) status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, DIRECTOR OF ADVANCEMENT Jeannine L. Lee (’81) or gender expression. Michael Tompos Marshall S. Lichty (’02) Daniel W. McDonald (’85) DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI RELATIONS Rebecca Egge Moos (’77) (Chair) ©2014 by University of Minnesota Law School AND ANNUAL GIVING Cyrus A. Morton (’98) Dinah C. Zebot Dennis L. T. Nguyen (’98) David B. Potter (’80) (Chair-Elect) CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Roshan N. Rajkumar (’00) Kathy Graves Mary S. Ranum (’83) Cathy Madison The Honorable James M. Todd Melby Rosenbaum (’69) Michael Petre (’15) Lisa A. Rotenberg (’85) Stephen P. Safranski (’97) COVER ILLUSTRATION Amy C. Seidel (’98) Stephen Webster Joseph P. Sullivan (’67) The Honorable John R. Tunheim (’80) PHOTOGRAPHERS Kevin Warren Eric Bridiers, United Nations Jayme Halbritter Law Library Archives Library of Congress Tony Nelson Patrick O’Leary Tim Rummelhoff Lonnie Tague, Department of Justice University of Minnesota Archives DESIGNER Launch Lab Creative THE VALUE OF LEGAL EDUCATION uch has changed since we completed our 2010 strategic plan for the Law School. As we start to think about a successor plan, it’s a good time to entertain some fundamental questions about legal education. What is the value of legal education? MHow should we change what we teach and how we teach it? What do we, as a community of teachers, students, and alumni, contribute to society? I think most of us have answers to these and similar questions, but we don’t all have the same answers. So it’s worthwhile, from time to time, to try to articulate those answers anew. We’re not alone in that effort. The American Association of Law Schools recently sent a document to law school deans offering one take on the value of teaching, studying, and practicing law. Drafted by a group of 14 deans from around the country, the document didn’t shy away from big questions or bold answers. “The rule of law is the foundation of our society, our political system, and our economic system,” the deans said. “It is also a principle that has a history and a meaning that must be understood, continually developed, and passed on to the next generation.” Law schools, the deans went on to say, are the means by which this happens; law schools are “the guardians, cultivators, and transmitters of a body of knowledge and experience that is critical to the well-being and structure of American society… [and] the setting for a transformative experi- ence in which students engage with a challenging intellectual tradition…. No other profes- DEAN DAVID WIPPMAN sional training imparts this combination of knowledge and skills and empowers its holders to use them in myriad ways, from defending the rights of the marginalized and downtrodden to running a multinational corporation, from working for law reform and policy to continually striving to understand the meaning and application of the Constitution.” In September, our entering students heard a similarly powerful message—albeit one with a great deal more warmth—from retired Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Paul Anderson (’68), when he gave the Lee and Barbara Bearmon Lecture on Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility during orientation. Justice Anderson told the 1Ls that they, as lawyers in training, “are the guardians of the rule of law”—and reminded them that there is an enor- mous difference between rule by law and rule of law. He spoke of other differences as well: between sympathy and empathy, honesty and integrity, cynicism and skepticism. In each case, he said, the latter quality was to be sought and prized by lawyers and judges. “Watch the small compromise,” he said. “If you’re capable of making the small compromise, you’re going to move on to something bigger.” The justice continued: “When I graduated from this law school in ’68, I had my law degree, a ’65 Mustang, paid for, a new suit of clothes, a new 16-inch black-and-white TV, and no debt. I was at the front end of the Baby Boom and legal jobs were expanding…. You’re coming into the profession at a dicey time,” he continued. “But you’re in one of the top law schools in the U.S. If you do well in a good law school like this…the profession will embrace you, and you will succeed in life.” We’re very fortunate to have Justice Anderson as a jurist-in-residence this year, offering his experience and insight to students and faculty alike as we engage in this great intellectual and social enterprise we call law school. Best wishes for the holiday season. David Wippman Dean and William S. Pattee Professor of Law law.umn.edu Perspectives FALL 2014 1 Contents 22 By Cathy Madison Illustrations by Stephen Webster 28 THEORY AT WORK Mark Kappelhoff 2 Perspectives FALL 2014 law.umn.edu 1 DEAN’S PERSPECTIVE The Value of Legal Education 4 AT THE LAW SCHOOL 10 4 Energy Transition Lab to Focus on Advancing Law and Policy 6 2014 Commencement Exercises: A Time to Shine 8 The Orientation Express 9 Law and Inequality Symposium Examines Critical Race Theory 10 Wise, Witty, and “Notorious”: Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg at the Law School 11 Fall 2014 Legal History Workshops 12 The Center for New Americans: Success in Year One 14 A Celebration of Philanthropy and William B. Lockhart Club Dinner 16 Staff News 17 Employee and Faculty Milestones • The Bob Stein Half-Century 18 Law Library Receives Second Andrews Legal Literature Award 18 for Walter Mondale (’56) Web Site • New Law Library Faculty and Staff 19 Save the Date: Magna Carta Commemorative Anniversary 20 Gifts to GENERATIONS 21 Partners in Excellence Annual Fund Exceeds $1 Million 30 FACULTY PERSPECTIVE 30 Faculty Awards, Grants and News 32 Faculty Works in Progress 33 New Faculty 34 Faculty Book Publications • Four Law School Faculty Members Cited in Scholarly Impact Rankings • Prof. Kristin Hickman Delivers Harlan Albert Rogers Professorship in Law Appointment Lecture 34 35 Faculty Profile: John H. Matheson 36 STUDENT PERSPECTIVE 36 Student Profiles 40 Student News and Awards 41 Students: Learn Valuable Leadership Skills from the Experts • Save the Dates • Student Organizations 42 ALUMNI PERSPECTIVE 42 Alumni Profiles 45 Alumni News and Awards 47 Super CLE 48 36 Class Notes 52 Upcoming Alumni Events • Recent Graduate and Student Networking Reception 53 Partners in Excellence 54 2014 Alumni Weekend • Ski-U-Mania Pepfest and Homecoming Football Game 55 Tribute: Russell W. Burris • In Memoriam 56 New York City Day of Service law.umn.edu Perspectives FALL 2014 3 54 At The Law School 1 2 ENERGY TRANSITION LAB TO FOCUS ON ADVANCING LAW AND POLICY OUR ENERGY SYSTEM IS IN THE A strategic initiative of the state’s Public Utilities Commission, midst of a major transition. Power University’s Institute on the and as a senior energy advisor to sources are shifting from coal to Environment with funding from the Governor Dayton—will be invalu- more natural gas and renewables. The Office of the Vice President for able. She’s also a Law School graduate aging grid needs to adapt, becoming Research, the ETL will bring who has taught energy policy and “smarter,” more flexible, and resilient. together leaders in government, sustainability courses at the New greenhouse gas emissions business, and nonprofit organizations University.” regulations and a changing climate to develop new energy policy “We need the University of add further complexities. pathways and advance needed reform. Minnesota’s great researchers and This transition has the potential Anderson and Osofsky plan to build thought leaders to help our energy to spark innovation in business and collaborations and develop the lab system transition to meet the government, leading to new jobs into a hub for innovative solutions. challenges of the 21st century,” and a cleaner environment, and Osofsky was thrilled to recruit Anderson says. “I am excited to the University of Minnesota has Anderson to the University as the lead this critical endeavor, and look launched the Energy Transition Lab ETL’s executive director. “Ellen forward to working with the public, (ETL) to help turn this potential into Anderson has been a leader in private, and community sectors to reality. Ellen Anderson (’86), a former Minnesota’s energy transition for catalyze innovative solutions.” state senator and energy advisor to more than two decades, and I cannot As faculty director, Osofsky brings Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton, imagine anyone more qualified to a decade and a half of academic is the ETL’s inaugural executive help this lab make a major impact,” research, policy project leadership, director; its faculty director is Osofsky says.