We are saddened to share the passing of Louis Ainsworth, whose vision and generosity were instrumental in founding the Center for Law and Business at Mitchell Hamline School of Law.
The Ainsworth Memorial Award for Legal Innovation and Impact honors the legacy of Louis Ainsworth ’77, a treasured member of the Mitchell Hamline community whose vision and generosity helped shape the school’s identity as a leader in legal innovation. Ainsworth was passionate about the transformative power of legal education and believed deeply in the ability of law to drive meaningful change in society. Through his work as a professor, mentor, trustee, and director of the Center for Law and Business, he championed practical, forward-thinking approaches to legal education and inspired students to think boldly and lead creatively.
The Award recognizes a Mitchell Hamline Law Review Associate whose long paper demonstrates exceptional insight, originality, and potential for real-world impact. The award will be given to one outstanding student long paper completed through the Mitchell Hamline Law Review in either the spring or fall 2025 semester. No separate submissions are required; all eligible papers will be considered.
The winner will receive a $500 cash prize, and the selected paper will be published in the Mitchell Hamline Law Review. The recipient will be chosen by members of the Law Review Editorial Board.