News

Incoming 1L Matt Prager ’26, is originally from the Chicago suburbs and received his undergraduate degree from Denison University in central Ohio. Most recently, his work has included writing for the satirical fake newspaper, The Onion.

Welcome to Minnesota Law! Can you tell us why you chose the University of Minnesota Law School?

Minnesota Law is a great school in a lovely city and of course, they accepted me!

What are you looking forward to the most about starting law school?

Incoming 1L Eleanor Nagel-Bennett ’26, is originally from Kalamazoo, Michigan. She recently completed her undergraduate degree from Michigan State University.

Welcome to Minnesota Law! Can you tell us why you chose the University of Minnesota Law School?

I chose Minnesota Law because of the community. Every interaction I’ve had with faculty, staff, and students has shown me that Minnesota Law is a special place.  From my first visit, I knew Minnesota Law was the place for me.

Incoming 1L Pia Puentespina ’26, was born and raised in the Philippines, where her large, tight-knit family still resides. Her educational journey started at United World College in China. She came to Macalester College in St. Paul where she received her undergraduate degree in political science and international studies. She then served as an aide to the general counsel in the Minnesota governor’s office where her roles included coordinating extradition matters and preparing Board of Pardons meetings. She’s also active in the Council of Asian Pacific Minnesotans.

Incoming 1L Emily Sparling ’26, was born and raised in St. Paul, but has lived across the country. She earned her bachelor’s degree in anthropology from Wheaton College and a master’s degree in museology from the University of Washington. She’s worked as an educator at the Smithsonian, the Minnesota History Center, as well as her children’s elementary school. She and her husband and two young children live on a horse farm near the St. Croix River.

Incoming 1L Alex Mysler ’26, was born in the U.S. but has lived in Buenos Aires, Argentina since the age of two. He studied history at the Universidad de Buenos Aires, and worked as an educator in various settings. During the past year, he worked at a museum that preserves the story and memory of Anne Frank and victims of the Shoah, while advocating for human rights. He also was tutoring and wrote simplified high school history textbooks.

Welcome to Minnesota Law! Can you tell us why you chose the University of Minnesota Law School?

William McGeveran, Gray, Plant, Mooty, Mooty & Bennett Professor of Law, stepped into the role of interim dean of the Law School on July 1. To this critical role, Dean McGeveran brings 17 years of experience as a faculty member, four years as associate dean of academic affairs, and deep enthusiasm for the Minnesota Law community.

Minnesota Law alum the Honorable Natalie Hudson '82 has been appointed chief justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court by Governor Tim Walz. Hudson will be the first chief justice of color and the first Democratic-appointed judicial branch leader in 25 years.

Governor Walz told Minnesota Public Radio, “I know that she will use her decades of judicial experience and deep understanding of our justice system to lead the Judicial Branch with a steady hand and strong conviction.”

Dana Mitchell '97 has been appointed Deputy Attorney General of Minnesota by State Attorney General Keith Ellison '90. 

 Mitchell will step into the role left by Deputy Attorney General Luz María Frías, who is retiring on September 29 after a 30-year career in the law, public service, and community service, including the last three years with the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office. Ms. Mitchell will oversee the Government Support Section of the Office, which provides legal support to a wide range of State of Minnesota agencies, boards, and commissions.

After years of work, the Binger Center for New Americans has achieved key objectives to protect the rights of noncitizens subject to immigration custody. The Binger Center’s work—spearheaded by the Federal Immigration Litigation Clinic (FILC), the Detainee Rights Clinic (DRC), and some of the Center’s nonprofit and law firm partners—has focused on noncitizens with criminal histories who are spending years in mandatory civil immigration detention in Minnesota with little opportunity to meaningfully challenge their custody.

Incoming 1L Alejandra Arboleda ’26 was born and raised in New Jersey, but her family is from Ecuador. She attended Rutgers University where she received her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and minored in politics, philosophy, and economics. Prior to law school, Alejandra dedicated her time to multiple organizations that championed human, minority, and immigrant rights, and co-founded an organization, Esperanza, which allocates vital resources to support undocumented immigrants and their families within the tri-state area.