Shantel Thompson’s dedication to her courses at Mitchell Hamline and extensive volunteering in public interest law earned her a spot on the National Jurist’s list of 2017 Law Students of the Year. Thompson, who graduated in January 2017, is one of 25 students from around the country being honored by the magazine for “doing the remarkable.”
Thompson started night classes at Mitchell Hamline predecessor school William Mitchell College of Law in 2013. After her evening classes ended, she worked an overnight shift at Fed Ex.
To stay on top of her classwork, she sought help from Professor Mike Steenson, who offered additional academic support during weekly meetings with Thompson.
Steenson told the National Jurist he was impressed with her effort.
“Shantel overcame numerous obstacles in her study of law at Mitchell Hamline School of Law,” Steenson said. “Through her hard work and dedication to the study of law, she has become a capable and confident law student. She will be a credit to the profession.”
While at Mitchell Hamline, Thompson volunteered to do legal-related work for the Minnesota Justice Foundation and held several other volunteer positions in public interest law.
The National Jurist said the dedication of Thompson and the 24 other students being honored shows the “future of law is in good hands.”