Minnesota Court of Appeals Judge Sarah Wheelock
Judge Sarah Wheelock, who made history in 2021 when she was the first Native American ever named to the Minnesota Court of Appeals, will give the address at Mitchell Hamline’s commencement on June 3.
“Mitchell Hamline is doing important work to expand who has access to legal education, and I’m excited to honor that work and help congratulate the newest members of the legal profession,” said Wheelock, a member of the Meskwaki Nation (federally recognized as the Sac & Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa).
Wheelock has been a longtime friend of Mitchell Hamline’s, having taught as an adjunct and also engaging often with students to discuss legal careers. She recently spoke at the annual banquet of the Mitchell Hamline Law Review.
“Judge Wheelock is a trailblazer in Minnesota and we’re thrilled she’ll be part of our commencement exercises,” said Mitchell Hamline President and Dean Anthony Niedwiecki. “I know our students will be inspired by her story and reflections on the calling that is the legal profession.”
Before being named a Court of Appeals judge, Wheelock previously served as legal counsel for the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community and an appellate judge for the White Earth Band of Chippewa Court of Appeals. She’s a past vice president of the Minnesota American Indian Bar Association and a member of the National Native American Bar Association and the Federal Bar Association.