For Jim Rustad ‘67, the University of Minnesota offered a chance to explore and unite his interests in three disciplines of higher education. After receiving a bachelor’s in chemical engineering in 1964, he enrolled in the Law School, graduating in 1967. He went on to earn a MBA from the University of Minnesota in 1972. 

It’s no surprise, then, that his career was as varied as his education. He worked for the legal department at General Mills, where he trained to become a patent attorney and was admitted to practice before the U.S. Patent Office. He also spent several years in general practice with two Minneapolis law firms andheld in-house counsel positions before joining Merrill Lynch and later RBC Wealth Management, enjoying a 28-year career as a financial consultant to individuals, small companies, and their retirement plans. 

By supporting the Law School, Rustad notes, “I am hitting three of my target giving areas: scholarships, human rights, and citizenship.” He’s encouraged by the opportunities today’s law students have. “I think the odds are in favor of our current students succeeding because their experience includes such a bright, energetic, and diverse collection of classmates, the quality of the faculty, and broad range of choices among the clinics offered,” he said. 

Rustad, who served on Minnesota Law’s Board of Advisors for six years, is also inspired to support the Law School because of what he sees as a “lifetime of benefits” that he has enjoyed as an alumnus and wants others to have those experiences as well. “I continue to benefit from the Law School because of ongoing connections through alumni, staff, classmates, CLE classes, Lockhart Club dinners, and other celebrations,” he said. One of his most cherished memories is when he was sworn in by Justice Sandra Day O’Connor to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, along with a group of other Law School grads. 

Hometown: Minneapolis, Minnesota 

Giving Level: Murphy Society, William B. Lockhart Club 

What won't we find on your resume?
We have a small seasonal cabin on a lake in Northwestern Wisconsin. Last summer, I rowed around the lake (a distance of about three miles) 45 times in my 1970s vintage aluminum rowboat. 

What is one piece of advice you would give to first-year law students?
Grow skills to listen, empathize, problem-solve, collaborate, and tell stories.

Ways to Give

There are many ways to give back to the University of Minnesota Law School. For more information, visit www.law.umn.edu/giving. Or send your gift directly to the University of Minnesota Foundation, P.O. Box 860266, Minneapolis, MN 55486-0266, noting “Law School” in the memo line. 

Annual Fund 

Student scholarships, clinics, and faculty support are just a few areas that benefit from annual gifts made to the Law School. Please contact Lizzy Beghelli, director of alumni relations and annual giving, at beghelli@ umn.edu or call 612-626-8671 to learn more about how you can support the Annual Fund.