Programs
Judge Edward J. Devitt and Practical Justice
Judge Edward J. Devitt
The History Center inaugurated its first history program on Sept. 22, 2017, honoring the work of United States District Judge Edward J. Devitt, who was an adjunct professor at Mitchell Hamline School of Law and a mentor and employer of several distinguished alumni of Mitchell Hamline School of Law. In 2017, Mitchell Hamline established the Edward J. Devitt professorship in his honor, and it awards an Edward J. Devitt scholarship funded by family and friends to deserving law students.
The half-day CLE program, entitled “Judge Edward J. Devitt and Practical Justice,” was attended by over two hundred judges and lawyers, including former clerks and friends of the Judge.
Former Devitt law clerks Greg Stenmoe ’81 and Brian Short led the session with a personal and professional biography of Judge Devitt, telling stories about several cases over which Judge Devitt presided in his career.
A panel focusing on Judge Devitt’s contributions to the practice of law in the federal courts, including his work with Chief Justice Warren Burger and service on the Devitt Commission. That work led to the groundbreaking MacCrate report which recommended important changes to legal education, many of which were adopted very early by William Mitchell College of Law. Mitchell Hamline alum and former chair of the William Mitchell Board Daniel O’Keefe ’78 spoke about Judge Devitt’s contributions to raising the quality of federal bar practice. Professors Eric Janus and Ann Juergens discussed his contributions to legal education, including his collaborations with the first female Minnesota Supreme Court justice and former clinical instructor at William Mitchell, Rosalie Wahl ’67. Academic Excellence Dean Dena Sonbol ’08 moderated this panel.
Judge Devitt’s contribution to the professionalization and efficient administration of the federal courts was the subject of a panel that included United States District Judges Donald Alsop and Wilhelmina Wright, and Professor Emeritus Peter Thompson, an expert on federal jurisdiction and procedure. Mitchell Hamline professor and former Devitt clerk Eric Tostrud ’90 presided over this question and answer panel.
Among his many accomplishments, Judge Devitt presided over many memorable criminal trials and his distinctive approach to trial procedure was discussed by notable criminal defense attorneys Joseph Friedberg and Earl Gray ’70, and United States District Court Judge Ann Montgomery. Paul Engh ’81 led this panel.
The law firm of Briggs and Morgan, and the MSBA Civil Litigation Section co-sponsored this event.