• Directory
• Login
• Contact
• Apply

Mary Jo Hunter

B.A., University of Wisconsin
J.D., UCLA School of Law

"To think justly we must understand the perspective of others. Working with Hamline's clinical law program gives students the opportunity to experience real life legal issues, learn how to recognize disparate treatment, and see issues from various personal backgrounds and experiences."

With a reputation for advocating for children and families in distress, Professor Hunter demonstrates compassion and legal insight in her clinical instruction and practice. She also teaches Native American law.

Professor Hunter was elected the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Ho-Chunk Nation, formerly the Wisconsin Winnebago Nation. She currently serves as a tribal appellate judge for the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska and has served as an appellate judge for the Turtle Mountain Chippewa Tribe. She has also conducted workshops on the Indian Child Welfare Act and cultural issues of American Indians.

Hunter is a full-time supervising attorney in the Child Advocacy Clinic. She serves on the board of directors for Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services and is a volunteer guardian ad litem for Ramsey and Hennepin counties. She is a leader in the area of the rights of children in the legal system and on creating a voice for children in the courts.

Active in the community, she has worked for the Neighborhood Justice Center and Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services in St. Paul. She taught Indian Law and directed the Native American Law Project clinical program at the University of North Dakota School of Law. Hunter is a frequent speaker in the areas of cultural diversity, culture, and the Indian Child Welfare Act.

 Mary Jo Hunter Promoted to Full Clinical Professor

Selected Publications

• IWCA  AT THIRTY YEARS (forthcoming 2008).
• UNITED STATES TRIBAL COURTS DIRECTORY (Hein, 2d ed. 2006; 1st ed. 2002) (with April Schwartz).
• Tribal Court Opinions: Justice and Legitimacy, 8 KAN. J.L. & PUB. POL’Y 142 (Winter 1999). PDF
• Special Report: Minnesota Supreme Court Foster Care and Adoption Task Force, 19 HAMLINE J. PUB. L. & POL’Y 1 (1997). PDF
• Commentary: Making the Invisible Visible: Historical Perspective, 1 J. GENDER RACE & JUST. 89 (1997). PDF