Mitchell Hamline celebrated the many achievements of its 2017 graduating class on Thursday, May 18, just a few days before 217 students received their J.D. degrees at spring Commencement in Minneapolis.
Three were honored with Student Awards of Merit for their accomplishments during law school and their commitment to stay engaged with Mitchell Hamline after graduation.
Student Awards of Merit winners (L to R) Diane Galatowitsch, Alissa Harrington, and Nadine Graves.
Diane Galatowitsch’s accomplishments at Mitchell Hamline are wide-ranging. Galatowitsch received three CALI awards, was selected as a research assistant, and served as the issues editor for the Law Review. She was involved with the Native American Law Student Association all three years of law school and played a major role with the Indian Law Impact Litigation Clinic in preparing a federal case. Galatowitsch was involved with the Self-Help Clinic as a 1L, was elected to be the family law director as a 2L, and was elected as executive director as a 3L. She participated in several moot court competitions, served as a mentor in the Fellows program, and taught high school students through the Marshall Brennan Project. In 2016, the Minnesota Justice Foundation honored her with its Outstanding Service Award for volunteering more than 300 hours with MJF and helping to build student involvement in Mitchell Hamline’s Mobile Law Network. In the fall, Diane will be clerking for Minnesota Supreme Court Associate Justice Margaret Chutich.
As a 1L Student Bar Association representative on the alumni relations committee, Nadine Graves connected students with alumni through the Meet the Lawyers series of networking events. As vice president, she worked to integrate HYBRID J.D. program students into campus life. As student director of the Child Protection Clinic, she excelled in court hearings and fostered strong client relationships, earning high marks from judges. Graves was an editor of the Journal of Public Policy and Practice and also found time for several community activities, including the Open Doors to Federal Courts program and the We Are All Criminals program, where she also serves on the board of directors.
Alissa Harrington has also been involved with an array of school and community projects while continuing to work full-time at the Department of Human Services in the Child Support Division. In addition to being the editor-in-chief of Cybaris, Alissa has received three CALI awards, was in the Fellows program, served as an Ambassador giving tours to prospective students, participated in the Street Law program, served on the curriculum committee, and volunteered for numerous other campus activities. She was involved in her community in a variety of ways, including serving as the director of a community television station, serving as vice president of her labor union, and helping with her undergraduate school’s alumni activities in the Twin Cities. Alissa plans to continue her work with the Minnesota Department of Human Services following graduation.
Faculty, staff, and students also recognized those who earned certificates from Mitchell Hamline’s nationally ranked institutes and those who did pro-bono work with the Minnesota Justice Foundation.
Dispute Resolution Institute
- 12 students received a Certificate in Advocacy and Problem Solving
President and Dean Mark Gordon addresses the class of 2017 at Thursday’s Graduation Celebration.
- 4 students earned a Certificate in Global Arbitration Law and Practice
- 2 students received a Certificate in International Business Negotiation
The Health Law Institute
- 4 students earned a Health Law Certificate
- 5 received a Health Care Compliance Certificate
- 5 graduates earned ABA-BNA Awards of Excellence in Health Law for outstanding academic performance
Law School Public Service Program
- 82 students completed the Law School Public Service Program by volunteering 50 or more hours
- 50 of the 82 volunteered 150 or more hours, earning honor cords they’ll wear during Commencement
- During their time in law school, the class of 2017 put in 16,679 pro-bono hours and helped 5,500 clients