Feature News
Saying Goodbye to the Class of 2008
Hamline University School of Law recently ushered the class of 2008 over the threshold of "student" to "alumni" with a series of events in May, culminating in commencement on May 17. Students took time to salute each other and receive recognition from the School of Law and then relaxed on the patio with a party before taking a cruise along the Mississippi River, courtesy of the Alumni department. A total of 183 students received their JD at commencement, with six international students earning the LLM degree. The 2008 Family of the Year was the Lawton family. Robert J. Lawton and his former wife, Barbara, both graduated from Hamline University School of Law--he in 1976, and she in 1978. Their son, Robert, Jr., graduated from the School of Law in 2004, and their daughter, Kelly, followed in the family footsteps as part of this year's graduating class.
A highlight of the month for many graduating students was the annual Graduate Recognition banquet on May 14. Don McNeil '89 gave a toast on behalf of the Alumni Association Board and the Dean's Board of Advisors to the graduating law students before they heard from Hamline University President Linda Hanson. President Hanson urged students to use what they learned in law school and their personal passion "to make the world a better place."
Water Law Explored at Hamline Law Review Symposium
Is access to water a human right? Is water a religious issue, or a boundary issue created by treaties? Is it a business issue? How should disputes over water be resolved and how should conflicting human values affect the resolution of water disputes? National and international experts addressed these critical water-related issues as part of the Hamline Law Review Spring 2008 Symposium, "Water, Catalyst of Life and Strife: A Threat to Security or a Vital Opportunity to Foster Cooperation?" that took place at Hamline University Sc hool of Law on Friday, April 4.
Symposium speakers included Great Lakes Water Commissioner Allen Olson, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Director Kent Lokkesmoe (left), Canadian Senior Policy Analyst David Whorley, Hamline University School of Law Professor Larry Bakken, Florida A&M University College of Law Professor Robert Abrams, Chicago-Kent College of Law Professor Dan Tarlock, and Michael Tsur, founder and director of the Mediation and Conflict Resolution Institute in Israel.
They discussed climate change, population growth and rising demand that puts additional stress on shared resources and increases the potential for conflict. They also explored the current framework for addressing these issues through international and interstate cooperation. While all the speakers had distinctive and sometimes opposing points of view, all could agree that "water is synonymous with survival." Listen to the symposium presentations.
Professor John Weeks Retires after 35 Years of Outstanding Service
He joins Professor Michael Scherschligt as Hamline Law School's first two Emeriti Professors of Law
After 35 years of teaching and inspiring Hamline law students, Professor John Weeks is retiring. Professor Weeks has been an anchor for the Hamline law curriculum teaching Contract Law and International Law, including courses such as International Business Transactions and International Human Rights.
Dean Jon Garon called retiring Professor John Weeks "a man of few words and great wisdom," recalling how he observed one of Professor Weeks' classes when he first came to Hamline to watch him use the Socratic method. "That was the first time in my professional career that I saw it really work," Garon noted.
For his part, Professor Weeks said he has derived "tremendous satisfaction from watching his students achieve great success. . . It has been quite a journey. I've been associated with Hamline for more than half my life and it's been wonderful."
Professor Bill Martin provided a warm and moving tribute to Professor Weeks at his recent retirement dinner. He said "You give your best every day and always are completely honest with students. . . You drive students to improve themselves and have an infallible sense of whom to push, whom to tease and whom to help along the path of inquiry. Most of all, you always let students know that you respect them."
Alumnus Steve Kirsch also paid tribute, noting "You were then, and you are now, a superb person. You gave us inspiration...I honor your service to the Hamline Law School."
Both Professor John Weeks and Michael Scherschligt are retiring after more than three decades of service to the Law School. Hamline University has recognized the tremendous service provided by each of these two important professors by awarding each the title Emeritus Professor of Law.
Outstanding Legal Writing Students Compete in Honor Round
Ten top legal writing students presented oral arguments before a distinguished panel of judges in the Annette K. Levine Moot Court Room on April 18. Judges included Hamline Professors Allen Blair and James Morrow, Hamline Law Library Director Grace Mills, and Hamline alumna Julie Loftus Nelson '02 and attorney Michael Wahoske. Many of the law school's 2008 admitted applicants had the opportunity to observe the oral arguments while they visited Hamline's campus for an admitted applicant program that day.
Pictured above from left: Vanessa J. Martin '1L,
and Brian Rochel '1L, who tied as
"Runner-Up for Best Oralist";
and Sarah Howard '1L, Winner "Best Oralist."
People of Color Scholarship Conference to be held at Hamline
Hamline University School of Law is co-sponsoring the 2008 Midwestern People of Color Scholarship Conference (MWPOC), From Scholarly Pages to Political Stages: Law Writing for Political Change. The conference will take place from Thursday, May 29 through Saturday, May 31 at the law school. Hamline Law Professor Robin Magee will serve as both the on-site and program coordinator.
Among the speakers will be B. Todd Jones, former United States Attorney, Minnesota District, and current partner at Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi LLP; U.S. Representative Keith Ellison (left), the first Muslim in the U.S. and the first African American from Minnesota to be elected to the U.S. Congress, and Judge Edward Toussaint, Jr., Chief Judge, Minnesota Court of Appeals.
Law scholars of color seek to secure both relevance and resonance for their scholarship in the work of other law professionals and in the discussions of the day. The 2008 MWPOC will explore and evaluate the success of these efforts. Lawyers, jurists, law-trained politicians and media specialists will join conference attendees in plenary panel discussions to explore the ways in which legal scholarship prompts and assists progressive legal, social and political changes.
For more information or to register your attendance, place visit or contact Professor Magee at 651-523-2339 or rmagee@hamline.edu.
