Perspectives

Perspectives is the University of Minnesota Law School's publication for alumni, faculty, students, staff, and supporters and is published twice a year.

Spring 2012 Perspectives: Innovations and Anniversaries

Lobbying is an activity that "many love to hate," says writer Cathy Madison in the Spring 2012 Perspectives cover story, "Lobbying for Lobbyists." Yet, as lobbyist Mark Raabe (’55) explains, "People on Capitol Hill need information. They seek it. Before they enact laws, they need to know the impact, good and bad." Read Madison's interviews of four alumni lobbyists to learn the challenges, satisfactions, and value of their work.

Another source of needed information is the Law Library. Although a great many of its resources can be accessed electronically from home or the office, the Law Library is still a popular and active place. Professor of Legal Research Instruction Suzanne Thorpe provides some of the social and scholarly reasons in "Why Students and Faculty Still Use Law Libraries."

A new series introduced in this issue, "Theory at Work: Faculty in the Community," features faculty members whose undertakings to confront contemporary problems are benefiting the greater society. Writer Karen K. Hansen describes the real-world impact of work by Professor Fred Morrison in the Sudan, Professor Amy B. Monahan on an Institute of Medicine committee, and Professor Dale Carpenter in his recently released book on the legal and civil rights backdrop of Lawrence v. Texas.

The Law School is dedicated to preparing students to make similarly important contributions to the world around them. In January the Corporate Institute offered its first Leadership Foundations Program to help students develop the skills necessary to lead. Writer Kathy Graves summarizes offerings, speakers, and post-event observations in "New Program to Create Leaders Judged a Success."

Ensuring the availability of such innovative programs to future students is one of the goals of the Law School's GENERATIONS fund-raising campaign. "Gifts to GENERATIONS" describes the support of some generous alumni donors, including the newest alumni, the Class of 2012.

Student life at the Law School is more than classes, seminars, and library research. More than 50 student organizations provide social opportunities, and this issue celebrates the 10th anniversaries of two of them: the Race for Justice, founded to benefit the Loan Repayment Assistance Program of Minnesota, and the Theatre of the Relatively Talentless, created to provide a stage for students' dramatic urges.

The issue also includes profiles of students, alumni, Professor William McGeveran, new and visiting faculty, and new staff; coverage of guest and faculty lectures and the Law & Inequality symposium; photo highlights of the Annual Scholarships Dinner; summaries of news, awards, and activities across the Law School; the Summer CLE program; class notes; and much more.

Send comments to Cynthia Huff, Director of Communications, huffx070@umn.edu.