Emerita Professor of Law
About Professor Roberts
A 1980 cum laude graduate of William Mitchell, Eileen Roberts practiced law until 1989, when she joined the Mitchell faculty as a visiting professor.
Roberts became a full professor of law at William Mitchell in 1994.
In 2008, William Mitchell named Roberts the Austin J. Baillon and Caroline M. Baillon Professor of Real Estate Law. That same year, a group of former students and other friends established the Friends of Professor Roberts Scholarship in her honor. She was named emerita professor of law in 2013.
Roberts is now a senior attorney in the Real Estate and Land Use Practice Group at Dorsey & Whitney LLP. She is a fellow in the American College of Real Estate Lawyers, vice president of the Section of Real Property Law of the Minnesota State Bar Association (MSBA), and the MSBA’s representative on Minnesota’s Electronic Real Estate Recording Commission.
Roberts and her husband, Chuck Hoyum ’81, live in Edina, Minnesota.
“As a graduate of William Mitchell College of Law, I felt privileged to be a member of its full-time faculty. I worked my way through college and law school, so I know firsthand how challenging law school can be for students who manage career and family obligations. I have deep respect for them, and for all of our students who work hard to gain a legal education. Our students were my favorite thing about William Mitchell, in fact, and I worked hard to reflect that in my approach to teaching.”
Education
B.A., 1975, Moorhead State College
B.A., 1975, North Dakota State University
J.D., 1980, William Mitchell College of Law
Experience
Mitchell Hamline School of Law: emerita professor of law, 2015-.
William Mitchell College of Law: emerita professor of law, 2013-2015; professor of law, 1994-2013; associate professor of law, 1992-94; assistant professor of law, 1990-92; visiting professor of law, 1989-90.
Partner, Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi, Minneapolis, 1985-89.
Associate attorney, Stacker & Ravich, Minneapolis, 1983-85.
Associate attorney, Broeker, Hartfeldt, Hedges & Grant, Minneapolis, 1980-83.
Admitted: Minnesota, 1980.
Professional Focus
After graduating from William Mitchell in January 1980, Professor Roberts practiced real estate and land use law for nine years before joining the William Mitchell faculty. At William Mitchell, she teaches and writes about real estate law and serves as faculty advisor for the Real Estate Law Society. Professor Roberts maintains strong ties with Minnesota’s practicing bar. She is a frequent speaker at continuing legal education programs and often consults on litigated or transactional matters that involve real estate or land use issues.
Leadership and Service
William Mitchell College of Law: Austin J. Baillon and Caroline M. Baillon Professor of Real Estate Law, 2008-present; Honoree, Friends of Professor Roberts Scholarship (established in 2008 by former students and other friends and awarded annually to an upper-level William Mitchell student who manifests abilities and an interest in transactional law); Teacher of the Year, 2002. Fellow, American College of Real Estate Lawyers, 2006-present. Member, Minnesota Electronic Real Estate Recording Commission and its predecessor Task Force, 1999-present (selected by the Section of Real Property Law of the Minnesota State Bar Association (MSBA) in 2007 to represent the Section pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 507.0945). MSBA Section of Real Property: Member, 1980-present; Member, Real Property Council, 2005-present. Hennepin County Bar Association, Real Property Section: Member, 1980-present; Chair, 1990-91; Vice-Chair, 1989-90; Secretary, 1988-89. City of Minneapolis: Citizen Representative, Chain of Lakes Education Project, 1993-99; Member, Citizens’ Advisory Committee on Lake Water Quality Management, 1992-93; Chair, Minneapolis Environmental Commission, 1991-94. Artspace Projects, Inc.: Member, Board of Directors, 1983-87. Minnesota Women Lawyers, Inc.: Member, Board of Directors, 1984-86.
