Mitchell Hamline School of Law

Mitchell Hamline Alumni

Alumni Spotlight

Alumni Association names three newest award winners

Posted: November 17, 2021
Two esteemed Minnesota judges and a solo practitioner whose pro bono work included helping start Mitchell Hamline’s Self Help Clinic are being honored with this year’s alumni awards from the Mitchell Hamline Alumni Association. Judge Leo Brisbois ’87 is receiving the Distinguished Alumni Award for his long tenure of public service and volunteer work. Judge …

Alumni Association names three newest award winners

Sign up for Prof. Sonsteng’s free comparative law course

Posted: February 10, 2021
Mitchell Hamline School of law
Professor John Sonsteng is leading a course over the next four weeks comparing the criminal law advocacy systems in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Turkey—and he’s inviting lawyers, judges, and students to participate. The free class–called a “Practical Exercise on Lawyering Skills”–is offered on Zoom, from 11:30 am-1:30 pm Central time, the next …

Sign up for Prof. Sonsteng’s free comparative law course

Attorney General Keith Ellison names five Mitchell Hamline alums to Minnesota conviction review panel

Posted: February 1, 2021
Keith Ellison
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison recently announced the 16 members of the state’s new Conviction Review Unit, which will review legal cases for people believed to be innocent. Five of the members are Mitchell Hamline alums: Tamara Cabán-Ramirez ’05 John Choi ’95 Nadine Graves ’17 Caroline Palmer ’98 Karin Sonneman ’89 Choi is also a …

Attorney General Keith Ellison names five Mitchell Hamline alums to Minnesota conviction review panel

Retiring Dakota Co. Attorney Jim Backstrom ’78 encourages public service

Posted: February 1, 2021
Jim Backstrom
Every time James Backstrom ’78 signs his name, he makes sure to include his middle initial so he can remember his father. Clifford Backstrom was a firefighter for more than three decades and passed a duty to serve the public to his son. In February, the son of Clifford Backstrom will retire just after his …

Retiring Dakota Co. Attorney Jim Backstrom ’78 encourages public service

Mitchell Hamline alums honored with Attorney of the Year, Diversity & Inclusion awards

Posted: February 1, 2021
Mitchell Hamline School of law
            Several members of the Mitchell Hamline community are being recognized by Minnesota Lawyer in its 2020 Attorneys of the Year and 2020 Diversity & Inclusion awards. In all, 18 Mitchell Hamline alums made the list for Attorneys of the Year and five received a Diversity & Inclusion Award. Cindy …

Mitchell Hamline alums honored with Attorney of the Year, Diversity & Inclusion awards

Prairie Island general counsel helps tribe protect reservation, expand governance

Posted: February 1, 2021
Jessie Stomski Seim
‘I want to help them self-determine’ Jessie Stomski Seim ’08 remembers her dad driving down St. Paul’s historic Summit Avenue, admiring the Victorian homes and dropping hints while passing William Mitchell College of Law’s iconic building. “‘You would be a great lawyer,’” she recalls him saying. “‘Wouldn’t it be cool if you went there?’” Those …

Prairie Island general counsel helps tribe protect reservation, expand governance

Barbara Colombo ’89 is new director of Mitchell Hamline’s Health Law Institute

Posted: November 2, 2020
Barbara Colombo
Barbara Colombo ’89, a professor of law and director of the Health Care Compliance Program, is the new director of Mitchell Hamline’s nationally ranked Health Law Institute. The institute caters to both J.D. students and health care professionals seeking a greater knowledge of health law in their careers. Colombo says the institute’s unique blend of …

Barbara Colombo ’89 is new director of Mitchell Hamline’s Health Law Institute

Three alums awarded for service to others

Posted: September 30, 2020
The Mitchell Hamline Alumni Association has announced its three alumni awards for 2020 will go to women who each help different underserved communities, and who do so in private practice, from within the government, and as the head of a nonprofit. Jean Lastine ’80 will receive the Distinguished Alumni Award for her work of more …

Three alums awarded for service to others

Minnesota House declares racism a public health crisis, thanks to alum’s work

Posted: August 5, 2020
In the days after George Floyd was killed by Minneapolis police in May, Ruth Richardson ’06 remembered a conversation she’d had several years ago with her son, Shawn. “He’s a runner, and all he wants to do is be outside,” Richardson told NPR in June. “And I had to tell my little boy that you …

Minnesota House declares racism a public health crisis, thanks to alum’s work