News

To the Law School Community:

First, let me extend my appreciation and best wishes to all of you during a challenging time.  As we continue to receive important updates from Governor Walz, the Minnesota Department of Public Health, and President Gabel on the University of Minnesota’s efforts to keep our students, staff, and faculty healthy and safe with the current COVID-19 public health concern, I am reaching out to update you on the Law School’s plans.  

To the Law School Community:

Earlier today, you received an update from President Gabel on the University of Minnesota’s efforts to keep our students, staff, and faculty healthy and safe with the current COVID-19 public health concern.

Professor Paul Vaaler has been elected as a fellow by the Academy of International Business.

AIB Fellows consist of a select group of distinguished AIB members recognized for their outstanding contributions to the scholarly development of the field of international business or have made significant contributions to the AIB. 

Richard G. “Dick” Lareau ’52, a longtime leader in the Twin Cities’ legal and business communities, died Feb. 22 at his home in Fort Myers, Florida. He was 91.

Kristin Trapp, 2L, recently had the once-in-a-lifetime experience of testifying before a committee of lawmakers on the merits of a constitutional amendment that she conceived of and helped draft.

Minnesota Law students and teams fared well at the recent William E. McGee National Civil Rights Moot Court Competition.

The team of Jackie Fielding, 3L, Nadia Mezic, 2L, and Chuqiao Yu, 2L, finished among the Top 3 briefs overall and advanced to the quarterfinals. Fielding also took home the Best Oral Advocate Award for the entire competition. 

The other team composed of 3Ls Jake Gray, Emily Franco, and Andrew Prunty also made an excellent showing among a field of 26 teams from across the country. 

The teams were coached by Professor Jon Lee.

Editor’s note: Alumni Voices is an occasional series of articles by alumni sharing their perspectives. Minneapolis attorney Victoria Spichinetsky ’07 serves as an adjunct professor and lead section instructor in Minnesota Law’s Legal Writing Program.

Retired Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Alan Page ’78 has been fighting the good fight for decades, mostly on behalf of equality in race and education—and all the intertwined areas those topics touch. At 74, he shows little sign of slowing down.

Mike Freeman ’74 has logged more than 20 years of service as Hennepin County Attorney. He was first elected to the office in 1991 and served until 1998, when he launched an ultimately unsuccessful campaign for governor of Minnesota. In 2007, Freeman reclaimed the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office after Amy Klobuchar vacated it to run for U.S. Senate. He continues to serve there today. A tradition of public service runs in Freeman’s family. His late father, Orville Freeman ’40, was governor of Minnesota from 1955 to 1961, and served as U.S.