Spring Alumni Weekend

Spring Alumni Weekend Update

Dear Minnesota Law Alumni,

As we continue to navigate the rapidly evolving circumstances related to the Coronavirus outbreak, I wanted to reach out to you with several important updates from the Law School.

On Wednesday, President Gabel announced that the University is suspending in-person instruction and moving classes online through at least Wednesday, April 1. In addition, the University has also suspended all non-essential international and domestic travel by faculty, staff, and students through April 30.

While there are currently no known cases of COVID-19 at the University of Minnesota, the U and the Law School are taking precautionary steps to mitigate the risk of exposure and ensure the health, safety, and well-being of the University community. Many of our peer institutions across the country are implementing similar action steps.

Additionally, based on guidance limiting travel and large convenings, we have made the extremely difficult decision to postpone all Law School-sponsored alumni events scheduled over the next few weeks, including this year’s Spring Alumni Weekend (originally scheduled for April 17-19, 2020). The Office of Advancement is exploring options for celebrating reunion at a later time, and we will follow up with additional details in the coming weeks. I, personally, always look forward to Spring Alumni Weekend each year and share your disappointment in this change of plans. However, the health and safety of our community—our students, faculty, staff, and alumni—remains the Law School’s top priority.

In the interim, the Office of Advancement will be reaching out to alumni who already registered for reunion events and refunding their event registration. If you have questions or thoughts on how we might reimagine reunion, I encourage you to contact Elissa Ecklund Chaffee, Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving at echaffee@umn.edu or 612-626-8671.

These are remarkable circumstances for us all. Yet we have seen, time and again, that moments of challenge actually bring Minnesota Law together and strengthen our alumni community. I am grateful for everything you do to advance our mission and keep us strong. Thank you.

Best,

Garry W. Jenkins

Every year the University of Minnesota Law School welcomes the entire alumni community to a weekend of events and activities both at the Law School and around the Twin Cities, while hosting special reunion events for classes celebrating milestone anniversaries. See below for a schedule of events for 2020.

Weekend Schedule

Friday, April 17, 2020

12:30 - 3:00 p.m. Classes of 1965 and 1960 55th and 60th Reunion Lunch and Program
Mondale Hall

3:00 - 5:00 p.m. Rare Books Open House & Exhibit Tours (free)
Featuring Special exhibits: Noted and Notable: Treasures of the Riesenfeld Rare Books Research Center
and ‘Böcker Har Sina Öden’ (Books Have Their Destinies): Treasures of the Swedish Law Collection at the Riesenfeld Center
Riesenfeld Rare Books Research Center, Mondale Hall Sub-Plaza

3:30 - 5:00 p.m. CLE Program (free) - Working Successfully Across Generations
Mondale Hall - Room 25
1.5 Elimination of Bias CLE Credits Requested

Understanding generational differences allows lawyers, firms, and organizations to tap into the unique strengths of each group. Avoid pitfalls and learn best practices to create a culture of productivity and good communication to better serve the needs of employees and clients.

5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Law School Community Reception (free)
Mondale Hall Concourse (1st floor)

The festivities begin as the entire Law School community comes together to mix and mingle at an all-alumni reception. Network and socialize with fellow alumni and current students, faculty and staff. Complimentary hors d’oeurvres, beer and wine will be provided by the Office of Advancement.

7:30 p.m. Discounted Tickets to Emma ($30) - Opening Night
Guthrie Theater, Wurtele Thurst Stage

Spend Friday evening with fellow alumni enjoying the world-premiere of Kate Hamil’s comedic adaptation of this Jane Austin classic. Please note that tickets are limited, and the discounted price is available only through the Law School’s Spring Alumni Weekend registration process

Class of 1970 50th Reunion Dinner
The Minneapolis Club

First Four Reunion (for Classes of 2019, 2018, 2017, and 2016)
Giulia

Saturday, April 18, 2020

10:00 - 11:30 a.m. CLE Program (free) - Protecting the Innocent and Ending Wrongful Convictions - Lessons from the Past and Ideas for the Future
McNamara Alumni Center - Swain Room
1.5 Ethics CLE credits requested

Julie Jonas ’95 and Rachael Melby ’20 will present on the work of the Innocence Project of MN in local exonerations, as well as the work of Innocence Network members nationally. Learn about common causes of wrongful convictions and some remedies to prevent wrongful convictions from occurring in the future

12:00 - 1:30 p.m. All-Alumni Luncheon ($25)
McNamara Alumni Center-University Hall

The Dean invites the Law School community to a luncheon featuring a moderated conversation with Judge Paul Feinman ’85 (New York Court of Appeals), Justice Janine Kern ‘95 (South Dakota Supreme Court), and Justice Barry Anderson ’79 (Minnesota Supreme Court) to discuss current topics facing the highest courts in their states.

2:00 - 3:00 p.m. Fighting Mondales vs. Alumni Hockey Game (free)
Ridder Arena

The 2020 Fighting Mondales hockey team and Law School alumni face-off in a friendly, highly anticipated game. The Fighting Mondales are captained by 2L Bernard Cryan and the alumni are led by Kiel McElveen ’13.

Saturday Evening Individual Class Reunion Events
Milestone reunion classes of 1975, 1980, 1985, 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005, 2010, and 2015 will hold reunion celebrations throughout the Twin Cities.

Sunday, April 19, 2020

10:00 - 11:30 a.m. Golden Society Brunch ($25)
Jax Cafe

Golden Society Alumni (Law School graduating classes from 1970 and prior) are invited to a celebratory brunch at Jax Cafe. Programming will feature a panel moderated by Prof. Bob Stein ’61 on the topic of Minnesota Law’s 132 Years of Excellence in Legal Education. Panelists include current faculty members Prof. John Matheson, Prof. Oren Gross, and Prof. Laura Thomas.

For more information about Spring Alumni Weekend, please contact lawalum@umn.edu or 612-626-8539.

Spring Alumni Weekend