1949

Hon. Keith Davison was interviewed by Fox News about surviving the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl, and World War II. In the interview, he reflects on his “charmed life” and finding meaning through his legal practice.

1969

Joseph Dixon Jr. was named a Minnesota Super Lawyer for his legal service at Henson Efron.  

1971

Robert Abdo was elected to a two-year term on Lommen Abdo’s Board of Directors. 

Hon. Steve Aldrich is retired and has become a columnist for the Cook County News-Herald in Grand Marais, Minnesota. Entitled “Wondering 61,” his columns are written to learn about his new home area. 

1972

Tom Foley was named to the 2024 Best Lawyers in America list for his work in Gaming Law and Native American Law at Foley & Quigley Law. 

1973

Hon. Paul Jacobson retired as a judge in North Dakota’s Northwest Judicial District. He was appointed in 2013 and elected district judge in 2016 and 2022. 

Alan Eidsness was named a Minnesota Super Lawyer and a Top 10 honoree for his legal service at Henson Efron. 

1977

Lee Sheehy was named Interim Community Safety Commissioner for for Minneapolis to oversee the city’s five emergency departments: Police, Fire, Emergency Management, 911, and Neighborhood Safety. 

1980

Charles Nauen was named a Minnesota Super Lawyer and recognized as the 2024 “Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers for Environmental Law and Litigation in Minneapolis. 

Pamela Olson was awarded the American Bar Association Tax Section’s 2023 Distinguished Service Award. The award is the highest honor presented by the Section of Taxation and is given to individuals with a distinguished career in taxation. 

1981

Jon Hoganson was named a Best Lawyers: One to Watch. He is a shareholder at Winthrop & Weinstine. 

David Moran was named a Best Lawyers: One to Watch. He is of counsel at Winthrop & Weinstine. 

1982

Hon. Natalie Hudson was appointed Chief Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court. Hudson was nominated by Gov. Tim Walz, who called her “a leader and consensus builder.” 

Todd Urness was named a Best Lawyers: One to Watch. He is a shareholder at Winthrop & Weinstine.

1983

James LaBelle authored a book entitled Wheelchair Bound? His book chronicles his experiences and what he’s learned from over 50 years of being a wheelchair user. 

1984

Timothy Barnett was named a Best Lawyers: One to Watch. He is a shareholder at Winthrop & Weinstine. 

Annamarie A. Daley received the MSBA’s 2023 Advocate Award and was honored at the MSBA Civil Litigation Section’s Annual Dinner in April. The award is presented to an individual who has made a significant contribution to improving the system of civil justice in Minnesota. She is of counsel at Jones Day. 

Kathryn Graves was named a MinnesotaSuper Lawyer for her legal service at Henson Efron.  

1985

Elizabeth Bransdorfer was included in the 2023 edition of the Michigan Super Lawyers magazine. 

Dr. Nancy D. Erbe was recognized as a notable faculty member within the California State University system. She is a negotiation, conflict resolution, and peacebuilding professor at California State University, Dominguez Hills. 

Terry Rae Farley was named a finalist for the 2023 Grunin Prize for Law and Social Entrepreneurship for her work with RuralWorks Partners. The award recognizes lawyers’ participation in the ways in which business is increasingly advancing the goals of sustainability and human development. 

Regent Tadd M. Johnson was nominated to renew his service as a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation. Johnson has served on the Board since December 2017. 

Gaylen Knack was recognized in Chambers USA 2023 Guide. He is a partner at Lathrop GPM. 

Jeffrey Ansel was named a Best Lawyers: One to Watch. He is a shareholder at Winthrop & Weinstine. 

1986

Dr. Benjamin Dille was recognized by the Secretary of State with an Award for Heroism and by the American Foreign Service Association with the Herter Award for Constructive Dissent for his work during the evacuation of the U.S. Embassy in Kabul during the Taliban’s takeover in 2021. He is a senior foreign service officer with the Department of State. 

1987

William Invie Shroyer was named to the 2024 Best Lawyers list for his work in Corporate and Real Estate Law at Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c. 

Wade Anderson was recognized in Chambers USA 2023 Guide. He practices exclusively in real estate-related transactions and is a partner at Lathrop GPM. 

1988

Scott Wright became leader of Faegre Drinker’s Labor and Employment Group’s immigration team. Wright counsels on immigration issues that arise in employment decisions, mergers and acquisitions, government audits and investigations, and labor law disputes. 

1989

Thomas Walker was named a Best Lawyers: One to Watch. He is a shareholder at Winthrop & Weinstine. 

1990

Attorney General Keith Ellison published his book, Break the Wheel: Ending the Cycle of Police Violence. In his book, he details how he and his team built a case against Derek Chauvin, who was convicted for the murder of George Floyd in April 2021. 

Robert Shelquist was named as a Minnesota Super Lawyer for his legal service at Lockridge Grindal Nauen PLLP. 

1991

Dwight Larson joined Stinson LLP as a partner focusing on construction and energy matters. 

1992

Teresa Stricker was named City Attorney for Santa Rosa , California, by the Santa Rosa City Council. She has over two decades of municipal law experience, including serving as the City Attorney for the cities of San Pablo and Richmond. 

1993

Rikke Dierssen- Morice joined Blank Rome LLP’s Insurance Recovery practice group as a partner in Chicago. She represents commercial policyholders in the United States and abroad on insurance claims and in recovery litigation. 

Susan Ellingstad was named a Minnesota Super Lawyer and was recognized by Best Lawyers for her legal service at Lockridge Grindal Nauen PLLP. 

Scott Neilson was named a Minnesota Super Lawyer for his legal service at Henson Efron. 

1994

Megan Anderson was recognized in the Chambers USA 2023 Guide. She is a partner at Lathrop GPM and specializes in employment and labor law. 

1995

Joseph Kim was a key member of the opening team for a new Greenberg Traurig office in Singapore. Kim previously helped to launch the firm’s Asia Energy & Infrastructure Practice, of which he is practice head. 

Matthew McBride was named a Best Lawyers: One to Watch. He is a shareholder at Winthrop & Weinstine.

Laura Pfeiffer was named aBest Lawyers: One to Watch. She is a shareholder at Winthrop & Weinstine. 

1996

Johanna Bond was named dean of Rutgers Law School. Bond was a Sydney and Frances Lewis Professor of Law at Washington and Lee University School of Law before beginning her deanship at Rutgers Law in July 2023. 

James Hilbert was named interim president and dean of Mitchell Hamline School of Law for the 2023-24 academic year. He has taught full-time there since 2010 and previously served as vice dean of academic and student affairs. 

Brian Johnsrud was named managing partner of Duane Morris’ Silicon Valley Office. He has over 25 years of experience in representing companies in complicated employment law matters. 

Norman Jones was named a Best Lawyers: One to Watch. He is a shareholder at Winthrop & Weinstine. 

1997

John Bursch authored a new book, Loving God’s Children: The Church and Gender Ideology, on the topic of gender identity. 

James Lamm was recognized in Chambers High Net Worth 2023. He is a partner at Lathrop GPM and practices in the areas of estate planning, tax planning, family business succession planning, probate and trust administration, and charitable giving.

Brian T. Pierce was appointed to the Board of Directors at the Florida Justice Center, a 501(c)3 nonprofit legal aid organization dedicated to providing access to justice for those whose lives have been affected by the criminal legal system. 

Dana Mitchell was named Deputy Attorney General of Minnesota. In this role, she will oversee the Government Support Section of the Office, which provides legal support to a wide range of State of Minnesota agencies, boards, and commissions. 

Gregory Munson was promoted to president of Transwestern Real Estate Services. In this role, he will oversee operations, lead expansion opportunities, and drive business development. 

Hon. Daniel Schally retired after nearly 19 years of service on the Alaska state trial court bench. He was appointed in January 2005 to the Valdez District Court and in November 2018 to the Juneau Superior Court. 

James Snelson was appointed Executive Vice President at Fredrikson & Byron, where he practices mergers & acquisitions, corporate law, and more. 

1998

Robert Heinrich was recognized as a “Leader in their Field” by Chambers USA and its High Net Worth Guide and was included in the 2024 Best Lawyers list. He is a shareholder at Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c.

Mitchell Granberg was promoted to the role of UnitedHealth Group chief privacy officer and deputy general counsel. He is responsible for the UnitedHealth Group, UnitedHealthcare, and Optum privacy programs. 

Marya Robben was recognized in Chambers High Net Worth 2023. She is a partner at Lathrop GPM, and leads the firm’s Trusts, Estates & Legacy Planning practice group. 

1999

Andrew Brown joined Cottage Health as vice president of advancement. In this role, he will lead fund development operations and work with foundations providing fundraising support for Cottage Health. 

Christopher E. Crutchfield was appointed CEO of Ujamaa Place, a non-profit dedicated to providing holistic transformation opportunities for young Black men experiencing inequity at the intersection of race and poverty. 

2000

Clayton Chan was recognized by Best Lawyers in America 2024 for outstanding professional excellence. He is a principal at Chan, PLLC and practices in the trusts and estates and business succession areas. 

John Nolde was named a Best Lawyers: One to Watch. He is a shareholder at Winthrop & Weinstine. 

2001

Katie Aune published her first book entitled Finding Katya: How I Quit Everything to Backpack the Former Soviet States. The travel memoir details the year she backpacked through all 15 states of the former Soviet Union. 

Lori Johnson was made partner at Parker Daniels Kibort. She has over 22 years of experience in complex litigation matters and business disputes. 

Kathryn Nash was recognized in Chambers USA 2023 Guide. She is a partner at Lathrop GPM, and chairs the firm’s Labor, Employment, and Higher Education practice areas. 

2002

Will Tansey joined Felhaber Larson as a partner. He specializes in the areas of commercial law and real estate. 

Nicole Saharsky was the keynote speaker at the 2023 MSBA Civil Litigation Section’s Annual Dinner. Her address “U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team’s Landmark Win for Equal Pay” detailed her work as lead appellate counsel for the U.S. women’s national soccer team and its landmark $24M settlement. 

2003

Court Anderson was named as a Minnesota Super Lawyer for his legal service at Henson Efron.

Andrew Beckwith was named Southern Wesleyan University’s first chief of staff and executive vice president. 

Julien Bergerat graduated from Cambridge University’s Judge Business School. 

June Hoidal was recognized as a 2024 Best Lawyers in America and was named a Minnesota Super Lawyer for her legal service at Zimmerman Reed LLP. 

Dean Willer was named a Best Lawyers: One to Watch. He is a shareholder at Winthrop & Weinstine. 

Bor Yang was named Oregon’s new legislative equity officer. She previously served as the director of the Vermont Human Rights Commission. 

David Zoll was named as a Minnesota Super Lawyer for his legal service at Lockridge Grindal Nauen PLLP. 

2004

Jaime Driggs was named as a Minnesota Super Lawyer and a Top 100 honoree for his legal service at Henson Efron. 

Brian Gudmundson was recognized as a 2024 Best Lawyers in America and was named a Minnesota Super Lawyer for his legal service at Zimmerman Reed LLP. 

2005

Laura Coates was named chief legal analyst for CNN and began anchoring her own daily primetime news show “Laura Coates Live.” The program showcases legal, social, political, and cultural stories. 

Margaux Coady Soeffker was recognized as a Super Lawyer for 2023 for her work in family law at Margaux C. Soeffker, LLC. 

John Stern was named a Best Lawyers: One to Watch. He is a shareholder at Winthrop & Weinstine. 

2006

Bryan Freeman was named co-chair of Maslon LLP’s Insurance Coverage Group. He is a trial lawyer focusing his practice on insurance coverage and has helped clients recover millions of dollars in insurance proceeds. 

Frank Pitsoulakis was named to the 2024 Best Lawyers list for his work in Real Estate Law at Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c. 

Jessica Hutson Polakowski was named to the 2024 Best Lawyers list for her work in Real Estate Law at Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c. 

Thomas Sinas was inducted into the International Society of Barristers, an invitation-only organization devoted to the ideals of retaining trial by jury, providing training in trial advocacy, encouraging civility in the adversary system, and supporting and improving our system of justice. 

Holly Stocker was named a Best Lawyers: One to Watch. She is a shareholder at Winthrop & Weinstine. 

2007

Krista A.P. Hatcher rejoined Fredrikson & Byron as a shareholder in its Employment, Labor & Benefits Group. 

Ryan Schildkraut was named a Best Lawyers: One to Watch. He is a shareholder at Winthrop & Weinstine. 

Joseph Windler was named a Best Lawyers: One to Watch. He is a shareholder at Winthrop & Weinstine. 

2008

Lisbeth C. Robinson joined Lathrop GPM LLP’s Intellectual Property Group as counsel in the Minneapolis Office. She is a former patent examiner and focuses her practice on patent preparation, prosecution, and analyses. 

2009

Robert Barton joined McDermott Will & Emery’s Private Client Practice Group as a partner in Los Angeles. His practice focuses on controversies involving complex trusts and estates and fiduciary matters for high-net-worth individuals and families, charitable institutions, and corporate trustees. 

Joseph Bourne was named as a Minnesota Rising Star for his legal service at Lockridge Grindal Nauen PLLP. 

Eric Chapin was named a finalist for the 2023 Grunin Prize for Law and Social Entrepreneurship finalist through his work with RuralWorks Partners. The award recognizes lawyers’ participation in the ways in which business is increasingly advancing the goals of sustainability and human development. 

Brian Clark was named a Minnesota Super Lawyer for his legal service at Lockridge Grindal Nauen PLLP. 

Dr. Abraham Korir Sing’Oei was appointed to serve as the Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs by the President of the Republic of Kenya. He has also been appointed to the boards of the Global Partnership on Sustainable Development Data and the Open Government Partnership. 

Anne Hoyt Taff was promoted to vice president of partnerships by the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation. She previously served as the Foundation’s associate vice president of community impact. 

Douglas Wolgamot was named a Best Lawyers: One to Watch. He is a shareholder at Winthrop & Weinstine. 

2010

Chris Henjum was appointed the Minnesota Department of Revenue’s taxpayer rights advocate by Minnesota Department of Revenue Commissioner Paul Marquart. He was previously a tax policy lead for the Income Tax and Withholding Division at Revenue. 

Josh Taggatz joined the International Association of Defense Counsel and was named to the 2024 Best Lawyers list. He is a trial attorney and shareholder at Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c. 

2011

Scott Jahnke was named a Best Lawyers: One to Watch. He is a shareholder at Winthrop & Weinstine. 

Kate Baxter-Kauf was named as a Minnesota Super Lawyer for her legal service at Lockridge Grindal Nauen PLLP. 

Nisha Patel Gupta returned to Dechert LLP as an intellectual property partner based in Silicon Valley. She focuses her practice on IP litigation, with an emphasis on patent litigation matters. 

Adam Tomczik was appointed by Governor Tim Walz to the Psychedelic Medicine Task Force to study and report to the legislature on the legalization of psilocybin, MDMA, and LSD for mental health treatment. 

2012

Jacob Bean was named a Best Lawyers: One to Watch. He is a shareholder at Winthrop & Weinstine. 

Robert Davis was awarded the prestigious Meritorious Service Silver Medal by Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. 

Tara Houska is opening a resistance camp at Bald Rock Point, MN, where activists can observe Indigenous practices, train future leaders, and share knowledge and skills, including language. She was also honored with the $100,000 Rose- Walters Prize for Global Environmental Activism. The prize is awarded to individuals who significantly impact responsible action for the planet. 

Melissa Muro LaMere joined Snell & Wilmer as an employment and business litigation attorney. She has extensive experience in the field and has been recognized for her exceptional legal skills by her clients and peers. 

2013

Eric Friske was named as a Minnesota Rising Star for his legal service at Henson Efron. 

Benjamin Hamborg was named as a Minnesota Rising Star for his legal service at Henson Efron. 

Ted Wagor joined Felhaber Larson where he will utilize his expertise in general business, real estate, and corporate law. 

2014

Sarvesh Desai was named as a Minnesota Rising Star for his legal service at Henson Efron. 

Sarah Hewitt was named a 2023 Up & Coming Attorney by Minnesota Lawyer. She is an associate at Henson Efron. 

Rachel Kitze Collins was named as a Minnesota Rising Star for her legal service at Lockridge Grindal Nauen PLLP. 

Charles Toomajian was named as a Minnesota Rising Star for his legal service at Zimmerman Reed LLP. 

2015

Lehoan (Hahn) Pham was selected to serve as an academy fellow for Littler’s 2023 National Employment Law Council. 

2016

Olivia Cooper was named a Best Lawyers: One to Watch. She is an associate at Winthrop & Weinstine. 

Catherine Riihiluoma was named a Best Lawyers: One to Watch. She is a shareholder at Winthrop & Weinstine. 

Amber Kraemer was named a Best Lawyers: One to Watch. She is a shareholder at Winthrop & Weinstine. 

Kyle Kroll was named a Best Lawyers: One to Watch. He is a shareholder at Winthrop & Weinstine. 

Michael Laird was named a Minnesota Rising Star for his legal service at Zimmerman Reed LLP. 

Christopher Scott joined Lommen Abdo Law Firm. He will work in the areas of insurance defense, civil litigation, professional liability, medical malpractice, wrongful death, personal injuries, and criminal and traffic defense. 

JT Schuweiler was selected by Chambers USA as a 2023 Diversity and Inclusion Future Leader for his work at Fox Rothschild. 

Arielle Wagner was named as a Minnesota Rising Star for her legal service at Lockridge Grindal Nauen PLLP. 

2017

Yi-Chao Chang started his own law firm, CLC Partners, with his wife, Tzu-yu Liu ’17. 

Royce Egeolu was selected to participate in Fox Rothchild LLP’s Leadership Council on Legal Diversity 2023 Class of Pathfinders. 

Sarah Everett was one of the plaintiff’s attorneys in a landmark case brought forth by the ACLU of Arkansas challenging an Arkansas law banning gender transition care for minors. She is the policy director at the ACLU of Arkansas. 

Edward Fleming was named a Best Lawyers: One to Watch. He is a counsel at Winthrop & Weinstine. 

Tzu-Yu Liu started her own law firm with her husband, Yi-Chao Chang ’17, called CLC Partners. 

Samuel Thompson was named a Best Lawyers: One to Watch. He is a managing associate at Winthrop & Weinstine. 

Roxanne Thorelli was named Outstanding New Lawyer of the Year by the Minnesota State Bar Association for her involvement with local bar organizations, pro bono and community service work, contributions to advancing diversity, and achievements practicing corporate and business law at Fredrikson & Byron. 

2023

Alexandra Robinson was honored with the 2023 Bernard P. Becker Award by the Minnesota State Bar Association for outstanding leadership and service to clients from marginalized communities. 

Cedar Weyker was named an Immigrant Justice Corps fellow. As a fellow, Cedar will work with The Advocates for Human Rights to provide unaccompanied minors in Minnesota and the Dakotas with legal representation for immigration proceedings.