Dear Mitchell Hamline family,
Thank you for welcoming me into the Mitchell Hamline and Twin Cities communities. Mitchell Hamline is a regional school with a national reach. Our innovative approach to delivering legal education has expanded our reach outside of the state. The pride shared by each of you is contagious. The rich legacy of our institution and its predecessor institutions reminds us how each of us is a part of the fabric of this profession, this state, and this country. I have enjoyed getting to know you and hearing stories from alumni and members of the community. As we count down to our 125th birthday since the founding of Saint Paul College of Law, my first 125 days have been incredible as I have listened, learned, and engaged with internal and external stakeholders. I am looking forward to all that awaits us as we continue to be Minnesota’s law school of choice.
As the third president and dean of the combined Mitchell Hamline School of Law, Camille M. Davidson stepped into an institution with a reputation of committing to excellence, providing access, and preparing practice-ready lawyers to enter the legal profession. She dove headfirst into learning about the institution, its challenges, and its opportunities, as well as becoming part of Minnesota’s legal landscape in her first 125 days. Mitchell Hamline is proud to have her serving as dean as she prepares to lead the law school into a year of celebration in 2025 and into a strong future beyond.
This future is shaped in part by the generosity and support of the Mitchell Hamline community—its alumni and friends who believe in our mission and want to see the institution continue to thrive. If you would like to support Mitchell Hamline, please feel free to make your gift online. We are grateful for your ongoing investment and involvement.
July
Dean Davidson’s first official day on campus was a busy one and included leading her first senior leadership meeting.
The graduating class of CLEO’s Pre-Law Summer Institute benefited from Dean Davidson’s words of wisdom.
Dean Davidson joined in celebrating Minnesota Supreme Court Associate Justice Sarah Hennesy’s appointment.
A judges luncheon welcomed Dean Davidson to Minnesota’s African American legal community.
Leadership is a topic right within Dean Davidson’s expertise, which she spoke about at the ABA Law Dean Conference in Seattle.
Dean Davidson joined a cohort of 56 presidents across the globe to discuss issues facing higher education in the 21st century.
The annual Alumni Golf Outing was a great opportunity for Dean Davidson to get to know the Mitchell Hamline community.
August
Throughout the month of August, Dean Davidson learned about the Mitchell Hamline community through meetings with groups around campus and individual trustees.
Dean Davidson welcomed 1L students to JumpStart, a virtual four-day program for incoming students to meet one another, ask questions, and start building their community.
As she shared words of inspiration and advice (and snapped a selfie or two), Dean Davidson welcomed this year’s incoming class of first-year students at orientation.
Tribal judges and members of the Native American legal community met with Dean Davidson at a reception hosted by the Native American Law and Sovereignty Institute.
Dean Davidson spoke at the evening picnic marking the first day of classes for the semester.
All three of Minnesota’s law schools gained new leadership this summer. Dean Davidson met with University of Minnesota Law Dean William McGeveran and University of St. Thomas Law Dean Daniel Kelly.
The Minnesota Asian Pacific American Bar Association welcomed Dean Davidson to the Twin Cities at a Mitchell Hamline reception.
Dean Davidson attended the annual gala for OutFront, Minnesota’s largest LGBTQ+ advocacy organization.
September
Minnesota Lawyer magazine profiled Dean Davidson about her first months at Mitchell Hamline.
Batter up! Dean Davidson threw out the first pitch at a St. Paul Saints baseball game.
Mitchell Hamline faculty and staff listened attentively as Dean Davidson gave her State of the School address.
Dean Davidson celebrated with Mitchell Hamline at the Minnesota Asian Pacific American Bar Association’s gala and award ceremony.
As the only female law school dean in the state of Minnesota, Dean Davidson was honored to join the advisory board for Minnesota Women Lawyers and got to know fellow leaders at the organization’s President’s Reception.
Dean Davidson attended the 20th annual Humphrey Public Leadership Awards in recognition of distinguished community leaders.
“Almanac,” Minnesota’s longest-running public affairs show, featured Dean Davidson in the spotlight for a get-to-know-you conversation with hosts Cathy Wurzer and Eric Eskola.
Dean Davidson attended the 10th annual Global Rights for Women gala to celebrate and support women’s right to live free from violence through legal reform and institutional and legal change.
At a gathering held in the home of Judge Betsy Hoene Martin ’80, Dean Davidson mingled with Mitchell Hamline alumni and members of Minnesota’s judiciary.
Dean Davidson represented the law school at the annual Freedom Fund Dinner & Gala held by the Minneapolis NAACP, which is part of the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization.
October
Dean Davidson joined the Twin Cities community to celebrate, support, and be inspired at the Urban League’s annual Unity Ball Gala.
Former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder joined Dean Davidson for a fireside chat about the importance of civility in public institutions for the fourth-annual Hon. Steven E. Rau ’83 Memorial Lecture.
Minnesota Justice Foundation’s annual Outstanding Service Awards recognized Mitchell Hamline alum Sarah Moore ’01 and current student Benna Griffin.
Camille M. Davidson was officially installed as Mitchell Hamline’s third president and dean during a ceremony on Wednesday, October 16, at St. Paul’s Landmark Center.
Mitchell Hamline alumni in the Chicago area had the opportunity to meet and mingle with Dean Davidson while she traveled to the area.
Several members of the Minnesota Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and District Court came to campus to give current students the opportunity to connect and learn. Dean Davidson gave remarks at the event.
Dean Davidson attended the fall meeting for the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) in Austin, Texas, as part of its assessments committee.
Georgetown University, which is where Dean Davidson earned her J.D. in 1993, hosted an alumni event in Minneapolis, and Dean Davidson gave the opening remarks.
Dean Davidson attended the Hmong American Bar Association’s annual dinner to represent Mitchell Hamline and celebrate the association’s new board members.
November
This Saturday was a well-needed rest for Dean Davidson, as she reflects on all she has done during her first 125 days and plans for the many days ahead.
