News
Class Notes October 2008
If you have career or personal news to share with the Hamline Law community, please feel free to drop us a note at lawalum@hamline.edu.
Callie Schmitt ‘08 passed the Iowa bar and is currently working at Reynolds & Kenline, L.L.P. in Dubuque, IA. It is a general practice firm and she came on as the 8th attorney in the firm. Callie is in the process of applying for admission on motion to the Minnesota bar as well.
Joshua Townsend Sr. ‘08 has been admitted to the Idaho Bar and is currently an associate of Blackburn Law P.C. in Meridian, Idaho. His focus is on Family Law and Criminal Defense.
Dori Smith '07 was presented with the Arthur T. Pfefer Memorial Award at the Twin Cities Cardozo Society Annual Dinner. This award was created four years ago to honor the memory of Art Pfefer from St. Paul, an aspiring lawyer who was tragically killed in Vietnam. The award is given to a Jewish law student or young lawyer in the first five years of practice who exemplifies current and future potential, outstanding leadership and commitment to the Jewish and general communities.
Melissa Lopez Franzen ‘06 was appointed as the Hispanic National Bar Association's National Representative to the Young Lawyer Division of the American Bar Association. She is also the Senior Specialist for Government Affairs with Target Corporation, President-Elect of the MHBA, and recent recipient of the 25 on the Rise award from the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Minnesota.
Margaret P. Moss PhD, JD, RN ‘06 is currently in residence in Washington DC as a Robert Wood Johnson Health Policy Fellow. Margaret is the first-ever Fellow from Hamline. More information is available at the following link: http://healthpolicyfellows.org/profiles_currentfellows.php. She will be placed in a Congressional Office or Committee following her orientation for the 111th Congress. She will also be inducted as a Fellow into the American Academy of Nursing at their November Meeting in Scottsdale, AZ.
Elizabeth Lambrecht ‘05 has joined the firm of Parker & Wenner in Minneapolis as an associate. She represents small business clients in corporate formation and risk management and commercial litigation.
Kristy A. Saum ‘05 has joined the firm Messerli & Kramer P.A.'s Business Litigation Group. She focuses her practice on general litigation. Her experience includes real estate matters involving construction defect claims.
Dule Vicovac ‘99 has left the United Nations to take up a position with the Danish Refugee Council in Serbia as Senior Legal Advisor in the "Legal Assistance Programme to the Institutions of the Government of Serbia dealing with Refugees and IDPs," funded by the European Union.
Jim Tanner '95 has written a book titled Vintage France: Adventures Along the French Wine Route. The book came out in 2002 and still remains in the top 5% of sales at Barnes and Nobels. He was also recently interviewed on Bergman's Bourgogne: Appetite for Burgundy http://www.bourgogne-info.eu/ and was awarded best website design by the Chambre de Metier (the French equivalent of the Chamber of Commerce).
Jamie (Russ) Jensen ‘85 has moved to Seattle for his wife's health (she has MS). "With only one kid left at home, I got bored and took the Washington Bar Exam, passed, and in November am taking over the real estate department of a small law firm in the Seattle area," according to Jamie. In the 12 years since he last practiced law he developed residential real estate, but had time to build cedar strip canoes and ash snowshoes, become a ski patroller and an instrument pilot and teach Real Estate Law and Real Estate Development at the University of St. Thomas.
Barbara Miller ‘84 and Daniel Murray ‘93 have formed the law office of Miller and Murray, S.C, in downtown Hudson, WI. The firm is committed to representing individuals and small businesses in the following areas: personal injury, civil litigation, family law, criminal law, mediation, and agricultural damage claims.
FAMILY
Sally Ackerman ‘00 and her husband George announce the birth of their daughter, Sophie, on October 15, 2008. She was 7lbs 11oz and 19 ½ inches long.
Brett Perry ‘94 and Angela Douglas were married on July 26, 2008.
OBITUARIES
Leanne M. Gerten '88 passed away on October 19, 2008 at the age of 46.
Swearing In Breakfast
Where: Saint Paul River Centre
When: Oct. 31, 2008 - 8:30AM
Contact: Anne Markus: amarkus01@hamline.edu (651) 523-2943
Dean's Dinner 2008
The 2008 Dean's Dinner, hosted by Dean Donald M. Lewis, will take place on November 18, 2008, at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts beginning with a cocktail reception at 6:00pm, followed by dinner and a program. This year our Keynote Speaker will be Charles J. Ogletree, Professor of Law at Harvard Law School and Founding Director of the Charles Hamilton Houston Institute for Race and Justice. Professor Ogletree is a distinguished scholar in the area of U.S. and comparative justice systems, and frequently speaks on issues of criminal justice, race and the law, and legal education. We anticipate that Professor Ogletree-- a teacher and mentor of Sen. Barack Obama-- will also offer insights on the impact of the 2008 presidential election on the struggle for equal rights in America and abroad. Limited invidividual tickets remain.
Where: Minneapolis Institute of Arts
When: Nov. 18, 2008 - 7:00PM
Contact: Susan Stephan sstephan01@hamline.edu (651) 523-2338 Top
Celebrating Diversity at Hamline
October is Diversity Awareness Month, which seems like the ideal time to explore the experiences of, and opportunities for, lawyers of color in the Twin Cities. A panel held at the law school earlier this month highlighted the need for increased diversity in legal leadership positions, as well as the importance of mentoring young lawyers to keep talented young lawyers of color from leaving the Twin Cities for places like Chicago, New York, or Los Angeles. Panelists included Hamline alumni Angel Daher of the Indian Child Welfare Center and Autumn Nelson, Diversity Coordinator at Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi; as well as Leonardo Castro, Chief Public Defender, Hennepin County; and David Ahlvers, Family Law, Lindquist & Vennum. The event was sponsored by various Hamline law student groups, including the Asian Pacific American Law Students Association and Stonewall Alliance. Earlier in the month, students, faculty and alumni gathered at the law school for a diversity celebration reception hosted by Dean Donald Lewis and Assistant Dean for Multicultural Affairs Darrell Davis.
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John Grisham Provokes Thought at Innocence Project Event
"We are here and we are needed," declared author and lawyer John Grisham, referring to the Innocence Project of Minnesota and the "unfortunate reality of a broken criminal system that incarcerates people for crimes they did not commit." Grisham, whose book "The Innocent Man" was based on the real-life events of Dennis Fritz, stressed the importance of the Innocence Project as keynote speaker at the Innocence Project of Minnesota's annual fund-raising benefit on October 15. The event, which drew more than 540 guests, raised more than $80,000. One guest paid $5,000 to have the right to name a character in an upcoming Grisham novel.
Dennis Fritz, protagonist of Grisham's most recent novel, spent 12 years of his life behind bars for a wrongful murder conviction. During his sentencing, he was one vote shy of receiving the death penalty. Grisham stressed the harsh reality that Fritz could have been executed in the same year that he was instead exonerated as a result of his determination and the aid of the Innocence Project. Grisham related how touching the human capacity to forgive can be, in stark contrast to our ability to inflict great cruelty.
It is estimated that between 2 to 5 percent, and possibly as many as 10 percent, of the 2.4 million incarcerated individuals are innocent. Those that are exonerated, Grisham noted, are "thrown back out in society and expected to survive, without compensation, without an apology, and frequently, without a family or support network. Fritz was lucky; he had family, a resiliently stubborn spirit, and a desire to tell his story."
Hamline University College of Liberal Arts and Hamline University School of Law are sponsors of Innocence Project of Minnesota, which is based at Hamline University. Alumni, students, professors and staff members from Hamline support and actively participate in Innocence Project cases.
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Debunking Constitutional Myths
"Thomas Jefferson did not write the Constitution," declared Hamline Law Professor Sharon Sandeen during Hamline's Constitution Day observance earlier this month, dispelling a misimpression often held by lawyers and non-lawyers alike. Professor Sandeen then explained how Jefferson's writings, though, have greatly shaped constitutional interpretation, especially in the Intellectual Property field. She said that a letter from Jefferson to Missouri State Representative Isaac McPherson in 1813 stated that he believed that ideas should be freely spread from one to another around the globe. He believed invention could not be a subject of property, but that inventors could be granted rights to the profits of their inventions. Professor Sandeen said that this letter is the most cited text in the fields of patent and copyright.
Hamline's Part-Time Weekend Students Express Appreciation
Students in Hamline's part-time weekend program enjoyed lunch with Dean Donald Lewis between classes on a sunny Sunday in October during an open forum that allowed them to learn more about him and his vision for the school's future. He answered student questions and heard them describe their appreciation of Hamline's part-time law school program, which is one of only three in the nation to be offered on the weekend. Weekend student John Pierce said he commutes from the state of Virginia each weekend to participate in the Hamline part-time program. He said the quality education he is receiving at Hamline justifies the long commute to Minnesota three weekends each month.
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Trained by Socratic Assault. Professors Acquitted.
Roger Gonzales, a Hamline law student with a lyrical bent, rose to the challenge posed by the Legal Research and Writing department to write a "story" summing up his first semester at law school. Concise writers had an edge since the "story" could only include six words. Roger's winning entry: "Trained by Socratic assault. Professors acquitted" was awarded with a t-shirt emblazoned with his story. First Runner-up was Alexandra Raspa for her story, "Excuse me, I am having issues!" and second runner-up status was awarded to Sean Pratt for "My wife should sue for damages." All literary legal students are excellent candidates for the new JD/MFA joint degree program at Hamline University (www.hamline.edu/law/jdmfa).
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Hear Ye, Hear Ye: Hamline Law Podcasts Make Top Ten List
According to Law Technology News columnist Robert J. Ambrogi, "there are so many worthwhile (podcast) programs that I had trouble winnowing my list to 10." Despite the heavy competition, Ambrogi included podcasts from Hamline University School of Law in his list for a second time (Hamline originally made the list in 2005). Noted Ambrogi in the October 10, 2008 "Ten Legal Podcasts to Keep You Informed" column, "What started several years ago as a single podcast called Conversations in Law (on the Hamline Law School website)--a series on law, leadership and legal education--has expanded into an array of podcasts covering law and leadership, health law, public law, Native American law, dispute resolution and intellectual property. Within the Conversation series, programs range from a discussion of feminist jurisprudence to Kenneth Feinberg recalling the many personal stories he heard as administrator of the 9/11 victim compensation fund."
New podcasts recently added include an interview with Hamline Law Dean Donald Lewis and presentations by Hamline Law Professor Ken Fox on "Peace-building in the Middle East: A case study of the Hamline University Civic Education Projects" and "The Gifts and Challenges of Controversy: Tools for Deep Connection." Check back to the www.hamline.edu/law/conversations site often as additional podcasts of Hamline Law School events and presentations are continually added throughout the year.
More... | TopHarvard's Charles Ogletree to Headline 2008 Dean's Dinner
Prominent Legal Theorist and Criminal Justice Scholar will reflect on the U.S. Presidential Election and its Impact on Equal Rights
How will the outcome of the U.S. presidential election impact the struggle for equal rights in America and abroad?
Charles J. Ogletree, the Harvard Law School Jesse Climenko Professor of Law, and founding and executive director of the Charles Hamilton Houston Institute for Race and Justice, will address that topic as the keynote speaker at the 2008 Hamline Law School Dean's Dinner on November 18. Olgetree, a distinguished scholar on issues of criminal justice, race and the law, and legal education, was a classmate of Hamline Law Dean Don Lewis at Harvard Law School, where he later taught another well-known Harvard Law student: Barack Obama.
The 2008 Dean's Dinner will be held on Tuesday, November 18 beginning at 6 p.m. at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. For information regarding table sponsorships for the 2008 Dean's Dinner, or to purchase tickets, members of the public should contact Susan Stephan at 651-523-2338 or sstephan01@hamline.edu.
More... | TopOn the Fives Reunion: A Memory-Filled Event
HUSL Welcomes Back Law Classes of 1978, 1983, 1988, 1993, 1998 and 2003
On Thursday, October 2, 2008, in the Peterson "Circle" Lounge at the Law School, the Office of Alumni Relations sponsored the fourth annual “On the Fives” reunion reception for all Law School alumni who graduated five, ten, fifteen, twenty, twenty-five and thirty years ago. Graduates celebrated their reunion years by returning to the law school to reminisce with Hamline faculty, staff, classmates and alumni from many different eras.
Franzen appointed to HNBA Board
Hamline alumna Melisa Lopez Franzen '06 has been appointed to serve on the board of the Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA). The HNBA, which serves as the national voice of the Hispanic legal community, represents the interests of more than 100,000 Hispanic attorneys, judges, law professors, legal assistants and law students in the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. territories. Franzen was appointed HNBA's National Representative to the Young Lawyer Division of the American Bar Association. She is a senior specialist for government affairs with Target Corporation. In addition to earning a JD from Hamline in 2006, she earned a MS in public policy from the Humphrey Institute at the University of Minnesota and a BA, summa cum laude, in political science in 2001. Franzen is president-elect of the Minnesota Hispanic Bar Association and recently received the 25 on the Rise award from the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Minneosta.
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Seven Habits of an Effective Compliance and Ethics Officer
Nationally recognized compliance professional and health care attorney Daniel Roach will share his perspective on regulatory enforcement trends and the most effective compliance and ethics strategies for health care organizations and the people that lead them. Alumni and other interested parties are invited to RVSP for this informative presentation, lively discussion and opportunity for professional networking on Tuesday, November 11 beginning at 5 p.m. at Hamline University School of Law, Law/Graduate Building. The registration fee is $35. To register, contact Cheri Harthaus or visit www.hamline.edu/law/health to print the registration form. CLE and CEU credits have been requested.
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Giving Matters
Alumni Joel Aberg ’79 and Paul Gatto ’76 support Hamline through active participation and generous financial gifts.
Alumni Joel Aberg ’79 (pictured left) and Paul Gatto ’76 both have fond memories of their days at Hamline University School of Law. They recall passionate professors, energetic and caring fellow students and the feeling of being part of something significant. “The best educational and social experience I ever had was at Hamline,” says Aberg.
“The professors were hard on us, they challenged us and they made sure I received a good education at Hamline,” adds Gatto.
These two alumni, both successful practicing attorneys, express their gratitude to Hamline law school through generous and ongoing contributions, both in terms of time and financial gifts.“
I want to make sure the school stays viable and keeps its programs growing,” explains Aberg, who has focused on labor and employment litigation at Weld, Riley, Prenn & Ricci in Eau Claire since 1986. Other Hamline alumni at the firm include Christine Gimber ’92 and Bill Spangler ’03.
Aberg is the first member of Hamline University School of Law’s Heritage Society, which means he has chosen to include the law school as a beneficiary in his will. He originally named the school a beneficiary of a whole life insurance policy but later decided to increase his eventual bequest to the law school by naming Hamline as a beneficiary of a portion of his 401(k).
“It’s substantial at this point and it’s as simple as listing Hamline University School of Law as the beneficiary on a form,” Aberg says.
In addition to his estate plan, Aberg makes a substantial annual contribution to the school’s Law Dean’s Excellence Fund (annual fund), qualifying him for membership in the Justice Society (which recognizes annual donations of $1,000
or more).
“With estate planning, it’s going to be a while before the benefits are attained. I also want to support the school now. So I’m a member of the Justice Society.
I consider that to be the least I can do. I would urge other graduates who want to preserve the heritage of Hamline Law School to think about giving what they can as well,” he says.
Paul Gatto (pictured at right) shares the view that giving is something that needs to happen on an annual basis. Gatto is generous with both his money and his time, serving as chair elect of the Law School’s Board of Advisors and making appearances as a guest lecturer in Professor Doug McFarland’s classes.
He is the president of Swor Gatto, which specializes in personal injury law. When one of his young relatives was tragically killed in a car accident, Gatto wanted to do something to make sure the deceased youngster who shared his son’s name, John Paul or J.P., would be remembered. (Gatto’s son, J.P. Gatto, graduated from Hamline University School of Law in May 2007.)
“We established a scholarship fund in his name for students at Hamline who are interested in children’s rights and child advocacy. The scholarship is exceeding six figures now,” he says.
Gatto also contributes to the school’s annual fund and urges other alumni to do the same. “Hamline grads are well prepared, articulate and professional. They’re a credit to the profession and the school,” he says. “I’ve heard anecdotes that large employers prefer Hamline graduates but wish the school would move up in the rankings. The only way that can happen is for more alumni to give annually so the school can develop a major endowment.”
Why is Gatto so passionate about supporting Hamline financially?
“It’s fact of life that money makes educational institutions go. If there is no money, the institutions cannot provide great educations. I think it would be great if all Hamline grads would support the school with an annual gift, even if it’s just $100 a year,”Gatto says.
“Charitable giving is very personal and easy to put on the bottom of the list,” he adds, “but I hope at some point Hamline would pop up on the list and become a regular part of our alumni’s giving.”
If you have any questions about the Law School's Alumni Annual Fund, please visit the Annual Fund Page or contact Karla Williams at (651) 523-2686 or kwilliams15@hamline.edu. For general questions about giits to the Law School, feel free to contact Hans Thomsen at 651-523-2560 or hthomsen01@hamline.edu.
TopFaculty Notes October 2008
Professor Ken Fox was a featured guest on the October 12, 2008, Air America program "Considering Faith", October 12. The one hour program focused on the topicL "The Gifts and Challenges of Controversy: Tools for Deep Connection." Professor Fox was the the keynote speaker at a conference on the topic on October 19. The conference was co-sponsored by the Interfaith Bridging Initiative and the Human Rights Center at the University of Minnesota.
Professor Jon Garon has been appointed to serve as Chairperson of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar, Law School Administration Committee. This committee is responsible for addressing issues for improving law school administration nationally as well as conducting the Associate Deans bi-annual conference.
Professor David Larson's paper entitled, "Conflicts of Interest and Disclosures: Are We Making a Mountain Out of a Molehill?" was recently listed on Social Science Research Network's Top Ten download list for CL: Enforcement of Consumer Laws (Topic), CS: Conflict Processes (Topic), Conflict & Dispute Resolution, Culture, Negotiation, & International Conflict, ECL: Arbitration (Topic), Justice & Negotiations, LSICL: International Arbitration (Topic), Law & Society: Family Law, Relations & Dispute Resolution, Law & Society: International & Comparative Law, MRN Negotiations & Dispute Resolution Network, NEG Subject Matter Journals and Third-Party Intervention. As of 09/24/2008 his paper had been downloaded 38 times.
Professor Douglas McFarland has published a memoir, Few Are Chosen: A Campaign Memoir, detailing his run for the Republican Party's nomination as the candidate from Minnesota for the U.S. Senate. You can check it out at www.fewarechosenbook.com. An Associated Press article that appeared just before the Republican National Convention in the St. Paul Pioneer Press included quotes from Hamline Law Professor McFarland about U.S. Supreme Court Justice Warren Burger. The article has since been widely reprinted across the country, including in USA Today and the CNN web page.
Professor James Pielemeier's article, "Why General Personal Jurisdiction Over 'Virtual Stores' Is A Bad Idea" has been accepted for publication in the Spring 2009 edition of the Quinnipiac Law Review.