Please join us on Tuesday, May 5, 2026 | 5:00-7:30 p.m.
for the 26th Annual Celebration of Women in Law Tea
with a special CLE program
State of the Vote: Legal Challenges Shaping the Midterm Elections
from 5:30-6:45 p.m. in the Mitchell Hamline auditorium
The cost is $100 to support scholarships through our annual fund. This event will be in-person only (1.25 CLE credits pending).
Started by Justice Ester M. Tomljanovich ’55, the Celebration of Women in Law Tea has been recognizing the struggles and accomplishments of women in the legal profession for over a quarter of a century.
We invite you to join us for appetizers and a networking reception with Mitchell Hamline alumni, students, friends, and colleagues—followed by a compelling CLE that will examine the most pressing issues in voting rights and election administration shaping the upcoming midterm elections. The panel will feature:
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Raleigh Levine (moderator) Professor of Law | Mitchell Hamline Levine’s academic interests focus on the First Amendment rights of freedom of speech and press. Her passion for First Amendment rights stems from her pre-law school experience as a news editor and producer for CNN Headline News. She graduated with honors from Stanford Law School. |
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Tami Diehm ’03 President/Shareholder | Winthrop & Weinstein In addition to guiding the firm as the coach, Diehm is also a practicing attorney representing clients alongside her teammates. As firm president, she motivates team members to unlock their potential. She practices in campaign finance and election law. |
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Maya Johnson ’20 Interim CEO | All Square When Johnson joined the team in 2022, she started as the Director of the Prison to Law Pipeline. She is an attorney with background in social welfare, civil rights, and prison reentry. Born and raised in the Twin Cities, she takes great pride in her family’s connection to Minnesota’s rich culture and history. |
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Amy Perna Executive Director | League of Women Voters Perna passion for civic and community engagement began in high school where she organized faculty and students to support and celebrate underrepresented communities. In 2016, she was hired by LWV St. Paul to run candidate forums, joined the board in 2017, and served in many positions including co-president. |
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Steve Simon Minnesota Secretary of State Simon is Minnesota’s 22nd Secretary of State. He was sworn into office on January 5, 2015, and as Minnesota’s chief elections administrator pledged in his inaugural address to “work with anyone, of any political affiliation, from any part of our state” to protect, defend, and strengthen the right to vote in Minnesota. |
Justice Tomljanovich and the legacy of her work
- Tribute to Justice Esther Tomljanovich by Douglas Hodder
- The Jurisprudence of Justice Esther Tomljanovich: Balancing the Scales of Justice by Professor Ann Iijima
- A Tribute to Justice Esther M. Tomljanovich by Justice Paul H. Anderson
Photos from Previous Teas
Watch a slideshow and download pictures for free. (To download, click on any picture and then click on the download arrow in the bottom right corner.)