Meet the Class: 1L Hans Holzner Brings a Global Perspective and Love of Languages  

1L Hans Holzner grew up in a multicultural and multilingual home with an American mother and a Mexican father whose parents were Italian immigrants from the German-speaking part of northern Italy. When Holzner was two years old, his family moved to Chad, Africa, where they lived for the next 10 years. He has also lived in France and Spain, and spent significant time in Cameroon, Kenya, and Italy. Perhaps not surprisingly given his globetrotting background, his four major areas of studies as an undergraduate at Concordia College included Political Science, Global Studies, French, and Spanish. 

***

Could you describe one or two of your interesting life experiences?

One shaping experience that I will never forget occurred in February 2008, when my family and I fled from our home in Bokoro, Chad, to the neighboring country of Cameroon as two converging militant rebel groups advanced to attack the capital city of N’Djamena.

What do you hope/plan to do with your legal education (realizing, of course, that may change during the course of your studies)?

I am compelled by the notion of being an advocate. I hope that my legal education will equip me to assist and speak on behalf of people who are navigating complex systems. As the child of an immigrant and having lived much of my life as a sojourner, I find myself empathetically drawn to the field of immigration law. 

There are many law school choices. Why did you select Minnesota Law?

Though there were many factors, one that sticks out to me was the sense of candid self-awareness that was impressed upon me by the Dean, faculty, staff, and students I interacted with during the April campus preview weekend I attended. I left feeling that Minnesota Law, as an institution, has an honest and holistic view of itself, is earnestly seeking to improve, and is genuinely striving for excellence. This is a rare combination, and I feel privileged to get to be a part of it.

Minnesota Law strives for a diversity of perspectives in the classroom. What are you hoping to add to the mix?

I hope to bring a sense of empathy into the discourse. I believe that it is crucial to consider how the law, in practice, interacts with, and actually shapes, the lives and experiences of every-day people.  

Minnesota Law as an institution emphasizes leadership. What does leadership mean to you?

Self-sacrificial service that constantly strives to uplift others before self.

What you are most looking forward to about being a law student?

I am so looking forward to learning and growing as part of a community! I love the way that Minnesota Law emphasizes doctrine and theory as well as skills and practice. I am excited to gain knowledge and skills that I can pragmatically put to work in a vocation.

What are your hobbies/ interests?

I love learning, thinking, and talking about philosophy, theology, history, and culture – especially as they relate to every-day life.

How do you like to spend your free time?

I enjoy running, reading, and sharing meaningful conversations with people. I also greatly enjoy exploring new coffee shops with my wife!

Favorite inspirational quote, book, or personal hero that you would like to mention?

Reading the work of Algerian-French author Albert Camus (especially the short story “The Guest” in his 1957 book “The Exile and the Kingdom”) helped me to come to terms and be comfortable with the liminality of my multicultural identity.

Something interesting about me that others might not know.

I was once licked on the face by a giraffe. Feel free to ask me about it sometime.

Anything else you’d like to share?

I am thrilled to get to learn and grow as a part of such a dynamic and diverse community! I am excited to get to know my classmates, and to hear and be shaped by their unique experiences and perspectives!