Mondale Hall at sunset

News

Meet the Class of 2026: Vincent Cheng

Incoming 1L Vincent Cheng ’26, is originally from Winnipeg, Canada, but moved to Minnesota when he was 7. He majored in English at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and then received a Master of Fine Arts degree in fiction from the University of Minnesota. He then worked at a high school directing the debate program and teaching English courses. He also taught creative writing courses to students at the Minnesota Correctional Facility at Faribault through the Minnesota Prison Writing Workshop.

J.D. Class of 2026: Vincent Chang

A Letter from Interim Dean William McGeveran

Dear Alumni and Friends of Minnesota Law:

Warm greetings from Mondale Hall! While I have been a professor at Minnesota Law for 17 years, I began serving as the interim dean this summer. I’ve already gotten to know many of our alumni and friends over the years and truly love this great community. If I haven’t met you yet, I look forward to the opportunity!

William McGeveran

The 2023 Robert A. Stein ’61 Lecture to Feature U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Amy Coney Barrett

MINNEAPOLIS (09/06/2023)–The University of Minnesota Law School’s 2023 Stein Lecture series will feature a wide-ranging conversation between the Honorable Amy Coney Barrett, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, and Professor Robert A. Stein ’61. The lecture will be held on Monday, October 16, 2023, at 4 p.m. (Central) at Northrop Auditorium, 84 Church Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455.

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett

Meet the Class of 2026: Paul Leon

Incoming 1L Paul Leon ’26, is from the Twin Cities originally. After graduating from  the University of Minnesota, he joined the Jesuit Volunteer Corps and worked with people with developmental disabilities. He met his wife and then traveled around Europe before they settled in Chicago where he taught and was a volunteer coordinator. They recently moved back to Minnesota to be closer to family.


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

Meet the J.D. Class of '26: Paul Leon

Meet the Class of 2026: Emily Miranda

Incoming 1L Emily Miranda ’26, is a first generation American and college graduate. Her family is from Brazil, and she was born and raised in Massachusetts. She attended high school and college simultaneously at Florida Atlantic University and graduated with a degree in political science and criminal justice. While there she dedicated herself to volunteering in the community and accumulated over 500 community service hours, primarily in areas addressing food insecurity.

Meet the J.D. Class of '26: Emily Miranda

Meet the Class of 2026: Alex Mahmou-Werndli

Incoming 1L Alex Mahmou-Werndli ’26, grew up in Wisconsin a little north of Madison. The University of Minnesota became his home during his undergrad years. He majored in Arabic and North African history. He also worked in the U's Department of Athletics and the Writing Center. After graduating, he taught English in Morocco where he met his wife. His experience in the Writing Center peaked his interest to earn a master’s in rhetoric/composition at Oregon State. He then returned to Morocco as a university faculty member.

Meet the J.D. Class of '26: Alex Mahmou-Werndli

Meet the Class of 2026: Ricky Bayon-Barrera

Incoming 1L Ricky Bayon-Barrera ’26, is originally from Toluca, Mexico, but moved to Houston when he was a child. He studied finance and economics at Texas A & M University. While there, he became the first minority and first Hispanic president of his fraternity. In this role he founded a philanthropic golf tournament to assist the American Diabetes Association. He also worked as a paralegal specializing in the preparation and execution of jury/bench trials of criminal cases.

Meet the J.D. Class of '26: Ricky Bayon-Barrera

Meet the Class of 2026: Matt Prager

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?

Meet the J.D. Class of '26: Matt Prager

Meet the Class of 2026:  Eleanor Nagel-Bennett

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.

Meet the J.D. Class of '26: Eleanor Nagel-Bennett

Meet the Class of 2026: Pia Puentespina

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.

Meet the J.D. Class of '26: Pia Puentespina