News

Two students in the James H. Binger Center for New Americans’ Federal Immigration Litigation Clinic (FILC) recently had the rare opportunity to argue an impact litigation case in front of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. Mollie Clark Ahsan ’24 and Amirah Ellison ’24 shared the opening and rebuttal arguments, respectively, for a complex case involving the deportation of a local permanent resident.

Ann Burkhart, beloved teacher, colleague, and friend at the University of Minnesota Law School, passed away March 26, 2024. A nationally recognized expert in real estate law, she taught land-use law and planning, real estate transactions, comparative property law, and consumer protection law. She served on the faculty at Minnesota Law for 42 years and was most recently the Curtis Bradbury Kellar Professor of Law before assuming emeritus status earlier this academic year.

In an exciting first, Minnesota Law’s Environmental Moot Court Competition Team won the Jeffrey Miller National Environmental Law Moot Court Competition at Pace Law School. The winning team includes Maria Pfister ’24, Poojan Thakrar ’24, and Hanna Weil ’24. All have backgrounds in pursuing environmental law expertise.

On March 12, 2024, Gun Violence Prevention Clinic students Will Roberts ’25 and Arielle Hugel ’25 argued in Federal District Court on behalf of the State of Minnesota before Magistrate Judge John Docherty ’86. The Gun Violence Prevention Clinic, led by Visiting Assistant Professor of Law Megan Walsh, is assisting the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office in their lawsuit against Fleet Farm, in which the State alleges that Fleet Farm negligently sold firearms to straw purchasers.

Shayna Korsh '25 and David Lindgren '25 argued before Justice G. Barry Anderson '79, Justice Karl Procaccini, and Justice Gordon Moore of the Minnesota Supreme Court, in the final round of the Maynard Pirsig Moot Court Honors Tournament last week. Korsh won the closely contested argument, with both students receiving tremendous praise for their skills. 

Peter H. Benzian ’70, a retired partner in the Los Angeles-based firm of Latham & Watkins, passed away on February 25, at age 81. Raised in Anoka, Minnesota, Benzian earned his undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College. After serving three years in the United States Army, he was accepted into the University of Minnesota Law School.

Carter Allen ’24 and Jack Tate ’24, along with the team of Spencer Rojas ’24 and Ryan Clemmons ’25, made up the Law School’s first-ever sports law moot court competition team. The two teams competed at Tulane University’s Mardi Gras Moot Court Invitational in early February. Both teams advanced to the quarterfinals, and the Tate/Allen team won the national championship.

At the end of February, Minnesota Law welcomed Professor Michele B. Goodwin to deliver the 9th Annual MLK Convocation in honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. While Dr. King is well known for his advocacy concerning racial acceptance and equality, Goodwin and Assistant Dean of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Ra’Shya Ghee ’13 reminded audience members of King’s often forgotten legacy of promoting reproductive justice during the MLK Convocation entitled, “Dr.