Assistant Teaching Professor
Alisha Watkins is an assistant teaching professor in the Institute to Transform Child Protection. Alisha teaches law and graduate social work students in the institute’s Child Protection Clinic who represent parents and kin in child protection cases. Alisha also works to develop and further community engagement regarding kinship representation. Alisha worked as a senior paralegal and law clerk for over 15 years. Alisha also became a volunteer guardian ad litem to represent the best interests of children in child welfare proceedings.
Alisha attended both law school and undergrad as a non-traditional student while working full time and raising her children. She studied in Mitchell Hamline’s blended-learning enrollment option and became its first Hybrid/EJD representative for the Black Law Students Association 2017–19. During her tenure, Alisha spearheaded the creation of a national mentorship program for the group’s members.
Teaching
Child, Parent, and the State
Education
J.D., Mitchell Hamline School of Law
B.S., legal studies, University of Maryland University College
Experience
Mitchell Hamline School of Law: assistant teaching professor, Institute to Transform Child Protection, 2022–
Blizzard & Zimmerman, law clerk, 2020–22
Chase & Walls, senior paralegal, 2008–12, 2017–20
Big Country CASA, volunteer advocate, 2019–
Wetsel, Carmichael & Allen, senior paralegal, 2012–17
Montgomery Law Firm, legal assistant, 2007–08