Noted DR Leader Sharon Press Named Director of Hamline's DRI Program

Hamline University School of Law has named Sharon B. Press to lead its nationally ranked Dispute Resolution Institute (DRI). Press will become director of the program and associate professor of law at Hamline on July 1, 2009, when current DRI Director and Professor James Coben returns to a full-time teaching position on the Hamline law faculty. Press is the current director of the Florida Dispute Resolution Center and an adjunct professor at Florida State University College of Law. She has served as guest lecturer at Hamline since 2005.

"I am delighted to welcome Professor Sharon Press to our faculty and as the next director of Hamline's nationally ranked Dispute Resolution Institute," said Don Lewis, dean at Hamline University School of Law.  "Her experience as both an educator and an administrator will allow her to continue building on DRI's educational excellence and national reputation. Hamline's Dispute Resolution Institute has achieved preeminence thanks, in large part, to the leadership and vision of James Coben, Bobbi McAdoo and other respected Hamline law faculty members. I'm confident that under Sharon's able direction, Hamline will continue leading the way in developing new and creative approaches to dispute resolution in a global context."

Joseph Stulberg, Associate Dean for Faculty and Professor at Moritz College of Law, The Ohio State University, commented.  "Sharon brings a broad understanding of the possible applications of mediation in diverse settings. Hamline law students will benefit from her vision, strategic thinking, experience and ability to work with multiple audiences. She is a highly respected national player in the ADR field and Hamline's outstanding Dispute Resolution Institute will be well served by her leadership," he said.

Press has served as director of the Florida Dispute Resolution Center since 1991. She was associate director from 1988 until her promotion in 1991. Press has been an adjunct professor, teaching mediation theory and general ADR survey courses at Florida State University College of Law, Hamline University School of Law, Capital University Law School and the University of Nevada Las Vegas Law School. She is the recipient of numerous professional awards, including the Mary Parker Follett Award for Excellence and Innovation in Dispute Resolution presented by the Association for Conflict Resolution and CPR Institute for Dispute Resolution's Special Award for Distinguished Contributions to the Field and Future of Dispute Resolution.

Press is a Florida Supreme Court certified county and family mediator and currently is on mediation roster for the Florida Bar Grievance Mediation Program and previously with the Neighborhood Justice Center in Tallahassee, Florida. Press has co-authored two ADR textbooks: "Mediation Theory and Practice," co-authored with J. Alfini, J. Sternlight and J. Stulberg, 2001, second edition 2006 (LexisNexus) and "County Court Mediation: A Mediator's Manual," written with Kimberly Kosch, 1999. She has published numerous professional articles and delivered mediation training in a wide variety of settings and locations, including in Amman, Jordan and Port-Au-Prince, Haiti.

Hamline's Dispute Resolution Institute is ranked 4th in the national rankings in dispute resolution in the new 2008 U.S. News & World Report rankings of the nation's best law schools and specialty programs. This marks the eighth consecutive year that U.S. News has ranked Hamline law school's dispute resolution program among the top five in the nation. Other law schools ranked in the top five with Hamline include Pepperdine, the University of Missouri-Columbia, Harvard and The Ohio State University.

The Dispute Resolution Institute at Hamline University was founded in 1991. It currently offers more than 30 ADR courses in a wide variety of domestic and international programs each year, including certificate programs in arbitration law and practice, problem-solving and dispute resolution. Mirroring the reality that contemporary lawyers work in multi-disciplinary and cross-cultural settings, DRI classes intentionally bring together law and other graduate students, human resources and business personnel, practicing lawyers and other professionals from around the world.

 

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Associate Dean Marie Failinger Chosen for Changemakers Award

Associate Dean Marie Failinger is among four women to recently receive a Changemaker for 2008 Award from Minnesota Women's Press. The award is for "extraordinary actions taken over the past year to create greater equality, justice and self-determination for women and girls."

Professor Failinger and the other winners: Lisa Brabbit, associate dean at the University of St. Thomas School of Law' Sally Kenney, professor and director of the University of Minnesota's Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs; and Mary Vasaly, partner at Maslon, Edelman, Borman & Brand; were lauded for their work in starting the Infinity Project, which seeks to increase gender diversity on the 8th U.S. Court of Appeals. To date, only one woman, Judge Diana Murphy, has ever been apointed to serve on the 8th Circuit bench.

"In a year when women have been serious presidential and vice-presidential candidates, it is quite surprising for most lawyers to learn that there has only been one woman judge ever on the Eight Circuit Court of Appeals," said Associate Dean Failinger. "The courts should always be the first place that models the equality and diversity we expect of our government, not the last. The Infinity Project is seeking to shine a spotlight on the process for judicial appointments in the past and to ask the question, "Why haven't women been considered for these positions?"

Associate Dean Failinger notes the issue is not one of qualifications. "Many qualified women are state appellate court and federal judges and magistrates, not to mention the well-qualified trial and appellate lawyers and state judges. So the real question is, "What is wrong with this process?"

The Infinity Project hosted a planning conference in October 2008 that drew nearly 150 participants from the seven states of the Eighth Circuit. A $43,000 grant also has been granted from the Open Society to support the Infinity Project.

"The Infinity Project is an example of what a few women sitting around a table who see something wrong with our legal system can do if they have passion and the willingness to keep working to make it right," said Associate Dean Failinger.

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Professor McCaffrey Assists with Development of Nigerian Law Clinic

Hamline Law Professor Angela McCaffrey, who directs the clinical law program at Hamline University School of Law, is lending support to an initiative aimed at establishing a law clinic in Nigeria. The initiative is the result of efforts by Lilian Ejebe, Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services staff attorney and Hamline Clinical adjunct professor, who attended law school and worked as a magistrate in Nigeria before coming to Minnesota. In addition to support from Professor McCaffrey, the initiative also is backed by the Director of the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, Nwaka Laetitia Akinlami.

The effort gained momentum recently when Ejebe presented a talk, "Promotion of Clinical Legal Education by the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria," at the Global Alliance for Justice Education (GAJE) Conference in December 2008. Conference participants, including Professor McCaffrey, provided feedback and recommendations to help move the initiative forward.

"We suggested looking at programs already in place, provided an understanding of the current level of legal services in Nigeria as well as the gaps, and made suggestions on how to structure programs that are professionally sound for law students while providing good representation to clients," said Professor McCaffrey.

Professor McCaffrey also co-presented, along with Ann Juergens of William Mitchell College of Law, at the Global Alliance for Justice Education (GAJE) Conference at the Ateneo Law School and Human Rights Center in Manila, Philippines. The topic was "Effective Interviewing as a Tool for Justice," which addressed the need for finely developed listening skills by lawyers who are working with clients who have suffered injustice and included a discussion of best practices for interviewing that all law students need.

"We discussed the particular listening skills needed when lawyers interview people who have been traumatized, including suggestions from psychotherapy experts. Of particular interest was a role-playing exercise that allowed the group to role play interviewing a hypothetical client who had been the victim of human trafficking," noted Professor McCaffrey.

The event was the fifth worldwide GAJE-sponsored conference for the purpose of helping create and sustain legal education programs that promote justice -- a particularly challenging goal in many countries due to poverty and corruption.

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Mid-Winter Reception to be held at RKMC on January 22

The firm of Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi will once again host Hamline's annual Mid-Winter reception, which is set for January 22, 2009. In keeping with tradition, food and refreshments promise to dazzle and delight. The real attraction of the reception, of course, is the opportunity to socialize with fellow alumni, Hamline faculty, and members of the bench and bar. The Mid-Winter Reception is the best attended social event of the season for Hamline University School of Law alumni, faculty, staff, friends and many members of the judiciary.

Event host and Hamline alumnus Chris Messerly, a partner at Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi, has noted that, "The Mid-Winter Reception has become the most popular and best attended Hamline alumni event. If alumni can only attend one Hamline event this year, the Mid-Winter Reception is the one to make."

The Mid-Winter Reception will be held on Thursday, January 22 from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. at Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi, 2800 LaSalle Plaza, 800 LaSalle Avenue, Minneapolis. Please R.S.V.P. to Anne Markus: amarkus01@hamline.edu or (651) 523-2943.

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Upcoming CLE: Today's Top Issues in Military Law

Alumni are invited to join us on January 23 for a special CLE. The program will begin at 1 p.m. when Lyndsey Kimber, a 2003 graduate of Hamline University School of Law and a Captain in the Minnesota National Guard, will present on the legal issues of deployed National Guard and Reserve members via webcast from her JAG office in Balad, Iraq. The program will be held in the Annette K. Levine Moot Court Room at the law school.

Following Captain Kimber's presentation, an all-Hamline law alumni panel comprised of John D. Baker, Adam C. Wadd and Sharon Clark-Williams of Baker, Wadd & Williams LLP will discuss the myriad issues that veterans face here in Minnesota, including military family law issues, veterans' disability benefits claims and the new sentence-mitigation bill for veterans facing criminal prosecution who suffer from combat related mental health disorders. 

Baker, Wadd & Williams LLP has the stated goal of offering legal services to veterans, service-members, wounded warriors and their families at every stage of their lives, with a commitment to keep "Fighting for Those Who Fought for Us."

2 CLE Credits Requested

 

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Distinguished Latino Jurist, Teacher and Scholar Cruz Reynoso Slated to Keynote 2009 Juris Fiesta

Hamline is honored to host UC Davis School of Law Professor Emeritus Cruz Reynoso as its 2009 Juris Fiesta keynote speaker on March 14. Professor Reynoso was the first Latino person to serve on the California Supreme Court. He served as an Associate Justice from 1982 to 1987 and is credited with helping to extend additional protections for the environment, individual liberties and civil rights.

The Fifth Annual Juris Fiesta is titled: "Cornerstones and Building Blocks: The Foundations and Future of Latinos in the Law." Juris Fiesta is a major annual event at Hamline, drawing more than 200 members of Minnesota's bench and bar and featuring prominent Latino legal educators, including Professor Elizabeth Iglesias from the University of Miami School of Law and Jose Roberto (Beto) Juarez, Jr., dean of the Sturm College of Law at the University of Denver.  Funds raised at the event have led to the establishment of a scholarship for Latino law students at Hamline.

"Professor Reynoso embodies perfectly the values undergirding Hamline's Juris Fiesta," said Hamline law professor and Juris Fiesta advisor Tom I. Romero II. "His long-standing commitment to public service, his principled legal reasoning in the service of equity and social justice, and his deep-rooted connections to the Latino community will certainly inspire the next generation of Latino legal professionals and leaders who are being trained at the school to connect their journey of inclusive excellence to a shared and transformative experience."

Professor Reynoso received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the United States' highest civilian honor, from President Clinton in 2000, the same year he received the Hispanic Heritage Foundation Award in Education. He served as the Vice Chair on the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights from 1994-2004 and was a professor at the UCLA School of Law from 1991-2001.

He also is the inaugural holder of the UC Davis School of Law's Boochever and Bird Chair for the Study and Teaching of Freedom and Equality, which recognizes outstanding scholarship and teaching, along with a commitment to preserving and expanding the understanding of "the virtues necessary of a great republic." He was selected for his leadership in civil rights, immigration and refugee policy, government reform, the administration of justice, legal services for the indigent and education. He retired in December 2006 and was honored with the UC Davis Medal, the highest tribute bestowed by the campus.

Juris Fiesta is held at Klas Center, Kay Fredericks Room, on the Hamline University campus. For more informatoin, contact Juris Fiesta Chairs Greta Bauer Reyes (mbauer02@hamline.edu) and Alisha Marie Scott (ascott03@hamline.edu) or Hamline Law School Program Director Deb Lange at 651-523-2122 or dlange@hamline.edu. To make a gift in support of the Latino Law Student Association Scholarship or other law designations, please visit www.hamline.edu/law/give.html.

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Low-Income Persons and the Law Topic on Agenda for March Programs

Hamline University is the place to be on March 12-13 if you're interested in the legal challenges that low-income people face. A joint program on Low-Income Persons and the Law--which will gather local and national scholars, law practitioners, policymakers and government officials to address the challenges of providing meaningful legal access for low-income persons and underserved populations--will be co-sponsored by Hamline University School of Law and Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (SMRLS), which is celebrating more than a century-long commitment to providing a full range of high-quality free legal assistance to low-income people.

On March 12 the Hamline Law Alumni Annual Spring CLE, "Justice and Administrative Process: A Low Income Family's Legal Journey through State and Federal Administrative Appeals," will take place. A reception will be held on the evening of March 12 at 6 p.m.

On March 13 The Hamline Journal of Public Law and Policy Spring 2009 Symposium will explore "Barriers to Justice: Responding to the Needs of the Low-Income Population in America." National and local experts will address barriers to obtaining equal and fair employment opportunities and welfare services, including nationally recognized authority on welfare law and low-wage labor Northeastern School of Law Professor Lucy A. Williams; Loretta Frederick, a leading national spokesperson on domestic abuse issues and former SMRLS staff attorney; and The Honorable Tanya Bransford of the 4th Judicial District.

All events will be held at Hamline University. Please contact Deb Lange at dlange@hamline.edu or 651-523-2122 for cost and registration information.

 

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Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act to be Explored at Law Review Symposium

The 2009 Hamline Law Review Symposium will address "The Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act: Searching for the Crossroads of Safety and Innovation." Topics will include "Prescription Drug and Medical Device Preemption: Where We Are and Where We May Be Headed;" "Congressional Oversight of Supreme Court Preemption Decisions;" Preemption in Pharmaceutical Litigation after Levine;" "Agency Accountability: Federation Preemption's Future;" "Preemption of Product Liability Claims Against Drug and Medical Device Manufacturers;" "FDA Preemption, Wyeth, Congress and a Crystal Ball;" and "Name Brand Exposure for Generic Drug Use: Prescription for Liability."

Presenters include James Beck, counsel, Dechert, LLP; Richard Samp, chief counsel, Washington Legal Foundation; Robert Weiner, partner, Arnold & Porter, LLP; Catherine Sharkey, professor, NYU School of Law; David Prince, professor, William Mitchell College of Law; and David Vladeck, professor, Georgetown University Law Center.

The Law Review Symposium will be held on April 3 at 8:30 a.m.-4:30 at Hamline University, Klas Center. To register, please contact Deb Lange at 651-523-2122 or dlange@hamline.edu

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Student Style Show to Highlight Fashions from all Continents

The Hamline University School of Law Student Culture and Diversity Committee will sponsor a Culture and Diversity Style Show: "Different Places; Beautiful Faces." The show will benefit Project Homeless Connect in Minneapolis, which is an initiative that serves as a "one-stop-shop" where homeless citizens may receive housing information, employment referrals, medical checkups and other services.

The benefit includes student model representation from all the continents and will be held March 9 at 7 p.m in the Klas Center Ballroom. Admission is $10.

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January 2009 Faculty Notes

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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.

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MidWinter Reception on January 22, 2009

The firm of Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi will once again host Hamline's annual Mid-Winter reception, which is set for January 22, 2009. In keeping with tradition, food and refreshments promise to dazzle and delight. The real attraction of the reception, of course, is the opportunity to socialize with fellow alumni, Hamline faculty, and members of the bench and bar. The Mid-Winter Reception is the best attended social event of the season for Hamline University School of Law alumni, faculty, staff, friends and many members of the judiciary.

The Mid-Winter Reception will be held on Thursday, January 22 from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. at Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi, 2800 LaSalle Plaza, 800 LaSalle Avenue, Minneapolis. Please R.S.V.P. to Anne Markus: amarkus01@hamline.edu or (651) 523-2943.

Where:

Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi, 2800 LaSalle Plaza, 800 LaSalle Avenue, Minneapolis.

When: Jan. 22, 2009 - 6:00PM
Contact: Please R.S.V.P. to Anne Markus: amarkus01@hamline.edu or (651) 523-2943 Top

2009 CLE Live from Iraq and Saint Paul: Today’s Top Issues in Military Law

Where: Moot Court Room, Hamline University School of Law
When: Jan. 23, 2009 - 2:00PM
Contact: Anne Markus at 651-523-2943 or amarkus01@hamline.edu Top

2009 Spring All-Day Alumni CLE/SMRLS Event and Journal of Public Law & Policy Symposium

Please join Hamline University School of Law, the Hamline Journal of Public Law and Policy and the Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Service (SMRLS) for two stimulating days of presentations and discussion on issues affecting low-income persons and the law. We have joined forces to offer this unique two-day CLE program as a special commemoration of the centennial anniversary of the founding of SMRLS and its commitment to providing free, high-quality legal assistance to persons with low incomes. The program also reflects Hamline Law School’s long-standing dedication to educating students and encouraging alumni to engage in public service throughout their legal careers.

Spring All-Day Alumni CLE/SMRLS Event

Justice and Administrative Process:

A Low Income Family’s Journey through State and Federal Administrative Appeals

March 12, 2009
8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Klas Center, Kay Fredericks Ballroom

Cost (March 12, 2009 CLE)
-Alumni: $75
-SMRLS Staff or Students: $0
-Public Interest Attorneys: $50
-Non-Alumni Professionals: $125

The program begins on Thursday, March 12 with the Hamline Law Alumni Annual Spring CLE program, “Justice and Administrative Process: A Low- Income Family’s Legal Journey Through State and Federal Administrative Appeals.” The purpose of this joint program is to stimulate the interest of Hamline alumni, legal aids, SMRLS volunteers and other attorneys in providing pro bono service to low-income persons in need of administrative law assistance. Administrative law judges and expert attorneys will train lawyers on the skills and “best practice” approaches for representing persons in the various administrative law tribunals. They also will provide training and raise awareness regarding the unique challenges low-income persons face in retaining or returning to livable wage jobs and/or receiving necessary alternative support.

Click here for a detailed schedule for this symposium.

A reception to celebrate the SMRLS centennial anniversary will be held on the evening of March 12 beginning at 4:30 p.m. in the School of Law Atrium.  The reception will be hosted by Donald Lewis, Dean, Hamline University School of Law; Jessie Nicholson, CEO, SMRLS; and Steve Kirsch ‘76, Centennial Committee Chair, SMRLS.  All are welcome to attend.

Journal of Public Law & Policy Symposium

Barriers to Justice: Responding to the Needs of America’s Low-Income Population

March 13, 2009
8:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Klas Center, Kay Fredericks Ballroom

Cost (March 13, 2009 Symposium)
-Alumni: $75
-SMRLS Staff or Students: $0
-Public Interest Attorneys: $50
-Non-Alumni Professionals: $125

On day two — Friday, March 13 — the Hamline Journal of Public Law and Policy in partnership with SMRLS offers the Spring 2009 Symposium, “Barriers to Justice: Responding to the Needs of America’s Low-Income Population.” This program will offer several opportunities for in-depth conversation around such timely topics as welfare-to-work programs, the role of legal aid and pro bono attorneys in addressing welfare-to-work barriers and helping people move to economic self-sufficiency. We also will explore
current issues and legal interventions to prevent domestic violence, as well as innovative legal theories and remedies to promote equal educational opportunity.

Click here for a detailed schedule for this symposium.

Where: Klas Center, Kay Fredericks Ballroom
When: Mar. 12, 2009 - 8:00AM
Contact: Deb Lange: dlange@hamline.edu (651) 523-2122 Top

5th Annual Juris Fiesta Gala Celebration

This year's theme is "Cornerstones and Building Blocks: The Foundations and Future of Latinos in the Law". Hamline University School of Law is extremely pleased to welcome former California Supreme Court Justice and UC-Davis School of Law Professor Cruz Reynoso as our keynote speaker for the 2009 Celebration.
Where: Klas Center, Kay Fredericks Room
When: Mar. 14, 2009 - 6:30PM
Contact: Juris Fiesta Chairs Greta Bauer Reyes (mbauer02@hamline.edu) and Alisha Marie Scott (ascott03@hamline.edu) or Program Director Deb Lange at 651-523-2122 with questions. Top

13th Annual Alumni Golf Tournament

June is just around the corner and so is the 13th Annual Alumni Golf Tournament on June 2nd!  It is sure to be another fun day with colleagues and friends at the beautiful Prestwick Golf Course in Woodbury.

1:00 p.m. Shotgun Start/Scramble Format

6:00 p.m. Dinner, prizes, and raffle drawings

We hope to see you there!

Where: Prestwick Golf Club, Woodbury, MN  www.prestwick.com
When: Jun. 2, 2009 - 1:00PM
Contact: Anne Markus at amarkus01@hamline.edu or 651-523-2943 Top

Class Notes January 2009

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.

Noel C. Stahle ‘06 was appointed Interim Dean of the College of Arts, Sciences, and Professional Studies at William Penn University, in Oskaloosa, Iowa.

Kevin M. Mosher ‘02 has been named the newest shareholder of Wessels Sherman Law Firm.  He practices employment and workplace immigration law in the firm's Minneapolis office.

Michael Collyard ‘00 has been named partner in the Minneapolis office of the national law firm of Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P.  His practice focuses on intellectual property litigation and business litigation.

Suzanne Senecal-Hill ‘00, an appellate attorney at the Minnesota State Public Defender's Office, argued a first-degree murder case in front of the Minnesota Supreme Court in September 2007 when the court was at Hamline University School of Law.  The United States Supreme Court granted her petition for a writ of certiorari in State v. Moua Her and remanded the case back to the Minnesota Supreme Court for further review.

Caryn A. Boisen ‘97 has become a partner at Larson • King. Caryn is an experienced business litigator and focuses her practice in the areas of construction, commercial and insurance litigation.

Steven Stromberg ‘88 now works on the global account team for Exhibitgroup/Giltspur (EG), a leading experiential marketing agency known for creating meaningful and memorable brand experiences. Based in the Minneapolis client care center, he will be responsible for coordinating business development efforts and managing trade show programs for EG clients.  As a published author and workshop leader, he has been a prominent figure in the exhibit industry for more than ten years.

Steven G. Hoffmeyer ‘82 was appointed by Governor Tim Pawlenty to head the state's Bureau of Mediation Services.  He has been with the Bureau of Mediation Services since 2002, starting out as a mediator and hearing officer.  He was promoted to the position of Deputy Commissioner in October 2003 by Commissioner Cunningham.  As Deputy Commissioner, he currently supervises the Bureau's mediators, hearing officers, and support staff, and is actively involved in all current decision making processes.

Mark DeCaria ‘81 was recently appointed by Utah Governor Jon Huntsman Jr. as a 2^nd District Court judge in Weber County.  He has practiced law in the area for 28 years, serving as Weber County attorney for the past 15 years. He has also worked as a deputy Weber County attorney, Ogden City prosecutor and in private practice.