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 2013 Perspectives: The Need for Good Counsel

The words "tax law" don't usually conjure up international images. But with the growing globalization of business, tax lawyers are finding that all types of companies, from big corporations to small family firms, are calling for their expertise in cross-border tax strategies and many additional complexities. In this issue's cover story, "Mastering the Tax Maze," writer Cathy Madison talks to a recently retired Cargill tax expert and other alumni practicing tax law about navigating the complexities of tax regulations and policy.

The clinics have long been at the core of the Law School's practical training program. To commemorate their 100th anniversary, the clinics in partnership with Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans are sponsoring a two-part event focused on issues of importance to veterans. Part 1 is a CLE program, "Serving Those Who Serve Us," on June 8 at the Law School. Part 2 is a free drop-in legal clinic for veterans, to be held at the VA Medical Center on June 11.

Professor Ruth Okediji has a vision—to reform international copyright law so blind and visually impaired people have the same access to books as sighted people. In "Theory at Work," writer Todd Melby describes Okediji's nearly decade-long mission to legalize cross-border sharing of books that are available in accessible, digital formats or braille. Working with such organizations as World Blind Union's Right to Read campaign and the U.N. agency World Intellectual Property Organization, Okediji offers her expertise in international property law to develop an international treaty ensuring equal rights to reading materials.

The Law School's LL.M. program continues to expand and evolve, setting it apart from other LL.M. programs throughout the country. Writer Kathy Graves describes three new courses that have helped double the LL.M. class size over the past two years: The American Legal Profession, Leadership and the Law, and a real-world writing course offering practical training to foreign lawyers.

Additional stories include TORT's trip back to Mondale Hall of 30 years ago in "Back to the Future Interest," a profile of long-time TORT faculty adviser and student favorite Professor Judith T. Younger, a new website devoted to Walter F. Mondale's Senate years, a recap of the Journal of International Law's symposium on the future of warfare, and writer Karen K. Hansen's interviews with donors of Gifts to GENERATIONS.

Also in this issue: summaries of news, awards, and activities across the Law School; profiles of students, alumni, and new and visiting faculty; staff hires and promotions; guest and faculty lectures; photo highlights of the annual Scholarship Dinner; class notes; and much more.

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