News

Mubanga Kalimamukwento, LL.M. ’20 is a Fulbright scholar and a native of Zambia. She is also a novelist who plans to continue to pursue her twin interests of law and literature.

You are a human-rights attorney in Zambia. Can you describe a little bit about that experience?

Michelle Rodenburg, 3L, spent the summer as an intern for the Office of the International Co-Prosecutor in the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC). It was a rare opportunity to learn about international criminal law firsthand for the Human Rights Center fellow, who obtained the placement through her connection with the HRC.

Could you describe a little bit about your summer experience working in the courts in Cambodia?

Governor Tim Walz appointed Rachna Sullivan ’96 as District Court judge in Minnesota’s Fourth Judicial District. 

Sullivan is a shareholder at Fredrikson & Byron, P.A., where she serves as the lead lawyer in commercial litigation cases. Previously, she was a partner at Rider Bennet LLP, law clerk to the Hon. James M. Rosenbaum, former Chief Judge, U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, and an Assistant District Attorney at the King’s County District Attorney’s Office in Brooklyn, New York.

The 241 members of Minnesota Law’s Class of 2022 are academically strong, diverse in their backgrounds, and eclectic in their interests.

“We are thrilled to welcome this incredibly talented and driven group of students to Minnesota Law,” says Garry W. Jenkins, dean and William S. Pattee professor of law. “We know they will embrace their experience, enrich our community, and, ultimately, make a difference in the world.”

2L Ben Rogers spent the summer as an intern for the U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps. He was detailed to Defense Service Office West at Naval Base San Diego in California — the busiest defense office in the Navy. DSO West provides legal representation to military service members at courts martial, boards of inquiry, and administrative separation boards. 

Could you describe a little bit about your summer experience working as an intern in the Navy JAG Corps?

Two adjunct professors were on the leading edge when they introduced courses in patent prosecution and patent portfolio management at Minnesota Law 18 years ago. While those courses are now much more commonplace, Minnesota Law’s innovative and robust intellectual property program enjoys a top-level national reputation for its excellence.

Minnesota Law this fall welcomes three new members to its faculty. Alan Z. Rozenshtein and Caleb Smith, who have been visiting professors at the Law School, have joined the permanent faculty; Professor Maria Ponomarenko comes to Minnesota Law from New York University School of Law.

The Indian Child Welfare Act Clinic (ICWA Clinic) is a full academic year, four-credit program beginning in the fall semester. The casework focuses on litigation involving the ICWA and Tribal Code. The clinic is led by two adjunct faculty members from the Minneapolis-based ICWA Law Center—Executive Director Shannon Smith ’99 and Litigation Director Andrea Braun. Smith recently took the time to answer a few questions about the clinic and how it impacts students, clients, and the community.

Please briefly describe the work of the ICWA Clinic.

Six Minnesota Law alumni were recently named “Up & Coming Attorneys” by Minnesota Lawyer.

Up & Coming Attorneys are recognized for their professional accomplishments, leadership and service to their community and profession, and achievements in their first 10 years of being admitted to the bar.

The alumni selected for the award are: 

Lauren Graff ’19 is taking her Minnesota Law degree to the Chicago office of McGuireWoods LLP, an Am-Law 100 law firm with offices in more than 20 locations worldwide. It’s a familiar locale to Graff, who spent two years in that same office as a paralegal. Having successfully made the leap to the lawyer side of the ledger, she is joining the firm’s Private Equity group as an associate. Graff recently took time out from her busy bar exam prep schedule to answer a few questions on her Minnesota Law experience.

Why did you go to Law School?