1969

Joseph Dixon, Jr. was named a 2021 Minnesota Icon honoree by Minnesota Lawyer. Dixon practices in the areas of commercial litigation and alternative dispute resolution at Henson Efron in Minneapolis. He previously served as firm president for 25 years.

1973

J. Patrick Plunkett was named a 2021 Minnesota Icon honoree by Minnesota Lawyer. Plunkett is a shareholder
at Larkin Hoffman in Minneapolis. He provides counsel to family-owned and closely held businesses, as well as nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations. 

1975

Fred Krohn published amemoir titled Standing in the Wings: My Life On (and Mostly Just Off) Stage. A pioneering promoter, Krohn revisits how he made Minneapolis a destination for Broadway, concerts, and celebrities.

Alan I. Silver was named a 2021 Minnesota Icon honoree by Minnesota Lawyer. Silver is a shareholder at Bassford Remele in Minneapolis, where he practices in the commercial and trust group and estates litigation group. 

1976

John M. Mulligan published his third novel, Exemption. The dark comedy is set on the University of Minnesota campus, primarily within Fraser Hall, during the 1960s. The novel follows a law student who marries an acquaintance to obtain an exemption from the draft.

1979

Tom McDonald was appointed the boards of Pathways to Success and Muslims for Progressive Values. A partner in the Vorys, Sater LLP office in Washington, D.C., McDonald served as U.S. ambassador to Zimbabwe from 1997 to 2001. McDonald is also a member of the Law School’s Board of Advisors. 

1982

Richard Ostlund, partner at Anthony Ostlund Louwagie Dressen & Boylan in Minneapolis, was the lead author of the fiduciary claims section of the fifth edition of Thompson Reuters’ Business and Commercial Litigation in the Federal Courts

1983

Timothy Marx joined Winthrop & Weinstine in Minneapolis as counsel in the firm’s real estate finance/ affordable housing, regulatory and government relations, and nonprofit corporation practices. Previously, Marx was the president and chief executive officer of Catholic Charities.

Robert K. Ranum published his memoir, Clinical Trial: An ALS Memoir of Science, Hope, and Love, in December 2021. The book details his personal journey battling ALS, as well as a breakthrough in science inspired by his wife Laura’s decades of research.

Tonia Teasley was named the Minnesota and Dakotas regional chief executive officer for the American Red Cross. Teasley has extensive experience working in the business world and is passionate about nonprofit management. 

1984

Katy Graves was named one of the 2022 Notable Women in Law by Twin Cities Business. The award recognizes exemplary professionals who handle complex transactions and use their expertise to guide a variety of clients. Graves is a shareholder at Henson Efron in Minneapolis. 

1987

John P. Boyle was re-elected to a three-year term on Moss & Barnett's board of directors. Boyle is a member of the Minneapolis firm’s litigation, employment law, and financial services teams. 

Niel Willardson was honored by Minnesota Lawyer with the In-House Counsel Award. Willardson has served in the legal department of the Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank for 31 years, including 17 years as senior vice president and general counsel. He plans to retire this July. In honoring Willardson,Minnesota Lawyerreferred to him as one of the Minneapolis Fed’s “most valuable, longtime leaders.” 

1988

Mark Gergen was made chief executive officer of Poseida Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company using proprietary genetic engineering platform technologies

to create cell and gene therapeutics. Previously, he served as president and chief business officer.

Andrea Walsh was named one of the 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare by Modern Healthcare. Walsh is president and chief executive officer of HealthPartners. She was chosen for her leadership in the health care industry throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. 

1989

Stephen O. Plunkett was named the 2021 recipient of the Defense Research Institute’s Tom Segalla Excellence in Education Award. Plunkett was also elected to a three-year term as a national director to DRI’s board. Plunkett is a shareholder at Bassford Remele’s Minneapolis office. 

1991

Richard J. Anderson joined Wolf, Greenfield & Sacks in Boston as chief operating officer. Anderson focuses his practice on intellectual property law. Previously, he co-founded the Minneapolis office of Fish & Richardson, acting as the firm’s chief operating officer.

Chad Baruch was named among the Top 100 in Texas by Texas Super Lawyer. Baruch practices at Johnston Tobey Baruch in Dallas and is an appellate specialist.

Jack Luellen published a true crime suspense novel, Someone Had to Die, which follows a fictional lawyer as he digs into the true story of Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena’s abduction and murder in 1985. It includes interviews and facts never before published. 

1992

Noemi Donovan joined Baker Sterchi Cowden & Rice in Kansas City, Missouri. Donovan focuses on surety bond litigation matters, debtor-creditor rights, premises liability, and general business and civil litigation. 

James K. Leewas elected to the board of trustees at the University of Minnesota Foundation. Lee is a partner at Arnold & Porter and focuses his practice on commercial litigation. He is based in Seoul, South Korea. 

1993

Ann Anaya was appointed senior vice president at AmerisourceBergen. In addition, she accepted the role of chief diversity, equity, and inclusion officer.

Jill Prohofsky was appointed child support magistrate manager at the Minnesota State Court Administrator’s Office. Prohofsky will oversee and manage Minnesota’s IV-D program. She will continue to serve as a child support magistrate and hear cases in all 10 Minnesota judicial districts. 

1994

Daniel G. Lugo was recognized as a Most Admired CEO honoree by Charlotte Business Journal. Lugo has been the president of Queens University of Charlotte since 2019.

1996

Willow Anderson was named a 2021 Minnesota Attorney of the Year by Minnesota Lawyer alongside colleague Jack Rice ’97. Their work on Minnesota v. Michael Forcia took a restorative approach to justice that demonstrated a commitment to healing the Twin Cities community.

Keiko Sugisaka was elected chair of the 2022 governance committee at Maslon. Sugisaka is a partner in the Minneapolis firm’s litigation group as well as former co-chair of its tort and product liability group.

1997

Jack Rice was named a 2021 Minnesota Attorney of the Year by Minnesota Lawyer alongside colleague Willow Anderson ’96. Their work on Minnesota v. Michael Forcia took a restorative approach to justice that demonstrated a commit- ment to healing the Twin Cities community.

Stephen Tight joined Quarles & Brady as a partner in their Minneapolis office and will practice in the firm’s business law group. Tight specializes in corporate transactions. 

1998

Nicole Johnson-Hoffman was named chief executive officer at Future Meat Technologies, an Israel-based company developing technology to produce cultivated meat. Previously, she was managing director of further processed foods for OSI Europe. 

David J. Koob was appointed to the Minnesota Racing Commission by Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan. Koob is an attorney at Donna Law Firm in Minneapolis, where he specializes in general liability, employment law, and corporate counsel.

Liwanag Ojala assumed the role of senior vice president and chief transformation officer at American Public Media Group. In this new posi- tion, Ojala mobilizes and oversees the organization’s digital transformation and implements initiatives to accelerate the growth of new revenue sources, audiences, and public influence. 

2000

Roshan Rajkumar was promoted to managing partner at Bowman and Brooke’s Minneapolis office. Rajkumar defends corporations against commercial, product liability, toxic tort, and warranty matters in state and federal courts. He continues in his nationwide role as chair of the firm’s diversity and inclusion committee. 

2003

Court J. Anderson named a 2021 Minnesota Attorney of the Year by Minnesota Lawyer alongside colleague Benjamin Hamborg ’13. They successfully represented two minority shareholders in a dispute resulting in one of the largest SEC whistleblower awards in Minnesota state history.

Cherée Haswell Johnson was appointed senior vice president, chief legal officer, and general counsel at Charlotte-based Dentsply Sirona, the world’s largest manufacturer of professional dental products and technologies. 

2004

Chloe Thompson Villagomez was promoted to principal at Foster Garvey in Seattle. Thompson Villagomez focuses on federal Indian law and tribal law and has more than 16 years of experience representing tribes and tribal entities on a broad range of governmental and business matters.

2006

Kristy Peters was appointed to office managing shareholderat Littler Mendelson in Phoenix. She represents employers in claims involving discrimination and harassment, unfair competition and trade secrets, and wrongful termination.

Jessica Hutson Polakowski was recognized as a 2021 Super Lawyer. Polakowski is a shareholder at Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren in Madison, Wisconsin, where she practices in the firm’s intellectual property litigation and litigation practice groups. 

2008

Sarah G. Odegaard was promoted to counsel at Snell & Wilmer in Phoenix. Odegaard focuses on product liability litigation, defending companies in complex negligence, and product liability cases involving catastrophic personal injuries and wrongful death. 

2009

Alexander Baggio was elected to partnership
at Hinshaw & Culbertson in Minneapolis. Baggio represents businesses in commercial litigationand labor and employment disputes, as well as ERISA and non-ERISA life, health, and disability matters.

Josh Feneis joined Lommen Abdo in Minneapolis as a shareholder. Feneis represents clients in a variety of cases, including family, real estate, and corporate law.

Lucas Tomsich was promoted to counsel at Faegre Drinker. Working in Silicon Valley, Tomsich defends clients in intellectual property litigation and complex patent cases. 

2010

Joseph C. Hansen was promoted to counsel at Latham & Watkins in San Francisco. Hansen is a member of the connectivity, privacy, and information practice in the department of litigation and trial. He focuses on data privacy class-action litigation and compliance counseling.

Anthony Todero joined Winthrop & Weinstine in Minneapolis as counsel in the commercial lending practice. Todero represents global, national, regional, and community banks, life insurance companies, and other institutional lenders in a variety of financial transactions. 

2011

Jim Morrissey was promoted to partner at Pilgrim Christakis in Chicago. His clients include financial institutions and related service providers who need counsel in protection cases, class actions, and government investigations.

Cary Snyder was promoted to shareholder at Babst Calland in Cleveland, Ohio. Snyder is a member of the firm’s litigation group and primarily focuses on areas of complex commercial litigation and appellate practice.

Maya S. Zahn Rhine, a shareholder at Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren in Madison, Wisconsin, was named one of Madison’s 40 Under 40 by In Business Magazine. Zahn Rhine assists commercial real estate companies with leasing, acquisition, and disposition matters. 

2012

Lauren Beach was named the 2021 Vanderbilt University School of Nursing Friend of Nursing. The award recognizes significant local and national contributions to the profession of nursing from an individual who is not a nurse or VUSN graduate. Beach has provided lectures for VUSN students on issues relating to LGBTQIA+ health research and advocacy. 

2013

Peter Doely was elected to serve on the board of directors of the Children’s Law Center of Minnesota. The organization provides free representation to children within the legal system and advocates for vulnerable youth throughout Minnesota. Doely is an attorney at Maslon in Minneapolis.

Benjamin J. Hamborg was named a 2021 Minnesota Attorney of the Year by Minnesota Lawyer alongside colleague Court J. Anderson ’03. They successfully represented two minority shareholders in a dispute resulting in one of the largest SEC whistleblower awards in Minnesota state history.

Jason Reed was elected to partnership at Maslon in Minneapolis. Reed is a member of the financial services group and focuses on corporate trustee representation, issues relating to corporate trust litigation, and bankruptcy.

Aalok Sharma was elected to partnership at Stinson in Minneapolis. Sharma is an entertainment and sports lawyer with experience in business, construction, and product liability litigation. 

2014

Katherine G. Bills was recognized as a 2021 Super Lawyer and was promoted to shareholder at Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren in Madison, Wisconsin. Bills is based in the firm’s Chicago office and practices auto dealership and commercial real estate law.

Sarah J. Hewitt joined Henson Efron in Minneapolis and will practice in the family law group. Previously, Hewitt clerked for two judges in Hennepin County Family Court.

Matt Little announced his candidacy for Dakota County attorney. Little is a former Minnesota state senator and is also a practicing attorney and owner of Little Law in Farmington, Minnesota.

Quin C. Seiler was promoted to shareholder at Winthrop & Weinstine in Minneapolis. Seiler is a commercial litigator who represents financial institutions and other commercial enterprises in business disputes. 

2015

Robin Lehninger joined Dykema at their new Milwaukee office.Lehninger works in the health care practice group and guides clients on compliance, including state licensing matters, health care fraud, and data privacy.

Peter McElligott, attorney at Anthony Ostlund Louwagie Dressen & Boylan in Minneapolis, contributed to the fiduciary claims section of the fifth edition of Thompson Reuters’ Business and Commercial Litigation in the Federal Courts. 

2017

Aaron C. Abelleira joined Arthur Chapman Kettering Smetak & Pikala in its Minneapolis office. Abelleira specializes in construction law and has a deep understanding of the field, having spent 10 years as a commercial roofer.

Nikesh J. Patel joined Ball Janik’s Portland, Oregon, office as a land use and development associate. Patel assists the firm with affordable housing, mixed-use, commercial, and community development cases. 

Eric Zumbach joined Bassford Remele in Minneapolis. Zumbach practices in the areas of bankruptcy/creditors’ remedies and commercial litigation. 

2018

Joe Janochoski, attorney at Anthony Ostlund Louwagie Dressen & Boylan in Minneapolis, contributed to the fiduciary claims section of the fifth edition of Thompson Reuters’ Business and Commercial Litigation in the Federal Courts. 

2020

Sara E. Filo joined Moss & Barnett in Minneapolis. She isa member of the firm’s litigation, construction law, and accountant law teams, assisting businesses and individuals as they navigate commercial disputes.

Alexander “Zander” Tibor joined Meagher & Geer in its Minneapolis office. Tibor practices in the firm’s insurance and professional liability groups.

Josiah D. Young joined Faegre Drinker as an associate in the firm’s Minneapolis office. Young advises clients on litigation and dispute resolution. 

2021

Kaitie A. Eke joined Fredrikson & Byron as an associate in the firm’s Minneapolis office. Eke focuses her practice on trust and estate planning and administration.

Jacob Hauschild joined Faegre Drinker as an associate in the firm’s Minneapolis office. Hauschild supports health care stakeholders as they seek solutions in a variety of legal matters.

Katherine J. Marshall joined Moss & Barnett in Minneapolis. She is a member of the firm’s energy and public utilities team, focusing on representing utility service providers in regulatory proceedings before local, state, and federal regulatory bodies.

Lexi J. Pitz joined Faegre Drinker as an associate in the firm’s Minneapolis office. Pitz advises clients on federal and state laws and regulations impacting public andprivate companies and their daily operations.

Lauren Russ joined Bowman and Brooke as an associate in the firm’s Minneapolis office. She advises clients in warranty and product liability cases.

Sicheng Shen joined Moss & Barnett in its Minneapolis office as a member of its business law team, assisting clients with corporate and financial transactions. Prior to practicing law, Shen worked for accounting and venture capital firms.

Mitchell Stauch joined Fredrikson & Byron as an associate in its Minneapolis office. Stauch practices in the firm’s mergers and acquisitions group.

Jeremy M. Walls joined Moss & Barnett in its Minneapolis office as a member of the business law team. Walls focuses on mergers and acquisitions, contract drafting, and entity formation.

Alina Yasis joined Maslon in its Minneapolis office. Yasis focuses on general corporate law, contracts, and mergers and acquisitions in the firm’s corporate and securities group.

Aidan Zielske joined HAWS-KM in St. Paul, Minnesota. Zielske practices in the areas of product liability defense, transportation litigation, commercial litigation, and toxic torts.