Professor Mike Steenson, speaking after receiving an honorary degree from Mitchell Hamline on June 3, 2023.
Professor Mike Steenson received an honorary degree at Mitchell Hamline’s commencement on June 3. The law school’s board of trustees has approved the degree in recognition of his 50 years of service to Mitchell Hamline.
“I’m now one of you,” exclaimed Steenson to the students before him.
Steenson was 26 years old and fresh off a clerkship with U.S. District Judge Miles Lord when he was hired in 1972 as a full-time member of the William Mitchell College of Law faculty. He was originally hired to teach Torts and Federal Jurisdiction. At the time, William Mitchell was a night school with part-time students; most of the teaching was handled by part-time faculty.
“I thought I would try teaching for maybe one or two years,” said Steenson, at Saturday’s ceremony. “I just found out the job grew on me. And as my wife often reminds me, I have one of the best jobs in the world.”
No part-time night law school had ever created a student-run law review, but Steenson quickly began that project when he joined the faculty. The first edition was published in 1974; he remains faculty advisor to this day.
Professor Mike Steenson gives students the thumbs up after being hooded by Dean Anthony Niedwiecki and Vice Dean Jim Hilbert, upon receiving an honorary degree from Mitchell Hamline on June 3, 2023.
Steenson has taught a dozen different courses to thousands of students over the years – including Torts, which he still teaches. He is a prolific writer and scholar and a much called-upon expert on constitutional law and many aspects of Minnesota statutes and case law. He offers a popular CLE every year with Professor Mehmet Konar-Steenberg reviewing the most recent term of the U.S. Supreme Court.
“This honorary degree is just the latest way for us to thank Mike for an incredible half century of service,” said President and Dean Anthony Niedwiecki. “Mitchell Hamline wouldn’t be Mitchell Hamline without all he’s done and continues to do.
“He’s a thoughtful colleague who works as hard as anyone I’ve ever met, and we’re beyond grateful.”
During his remarks, Steenson thanked his faculty and staff colleagues, along with his family for supporting him during his time at William Mitchell and Mitchell Hamline. “Most of all, I want to thank the students. You’ve always, always been my inspiration.
“It’s been an absolute privilege to be associated with you over the years.”
Watch the presentation of the honorary degree and Steenson’s remarks below.
Mitchell Hamline faculty
The latest from Faculty in the News
The Cool Down March 7, 2025
Staff Attorney, Public Health Law Center
Associated Press March 4, 2025
Associate Professor of Law
Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journals March 4, 2025
President and Dean
The latest faculty publications
Book Supplement January 15, 2025
Professor of Law
2(1) Journal of Aid-in-Dying 54 (2024) January 15, 2025
Professor of Law
2(1) Journal of Aid-in-Dying 76 (2024) January 15, 2025
Professor of Law
The latest faculty headlines
Professor Sandeen receives Lifetime Achievement Award from trade secret group
The Trade Secret Scholars Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes and appreciates Sandeen’s dedication, friendship, and pioneering contributions to the law of trade secrets. A seemingly regular appearance at the Trade Secret Scholars Workshop would turn …
January 24, 2025
Professor Pottratz Acosta weighs in on immigration issues in wake of election
Professor Ana Pottratz Acosta After November’s presidential election, many are speculating about what the immigration system will look like under a second Trump administration, and what that means for Minnesota. Professor Ana Pottratz Acosta has been q …
November 22, 2024
Kaori Kenmotsu brings embodied approach to teaching DRI courses
Returning to her alma mater as an assistant professor of law, Kaori Kenmotsu ’22 brings to Mitchell Hamline a breadth of experience in the worlds of dance, theater, yoga, public policy, community organizing, teaching, and now law. For Kenmotsu, however …
September 30, 2024
