Leah Olm and Parker Vegemast receive the Student Award of Merit to a room full of applause.
The Mitchell Hamline Alumni Association Board selected two recipients as this year’s Student Award of Merit winners: Leah Olm ’25 and Parker Vegemast ’25. Honoring graduating students who demonstrate excellent academic performance and community contributions, the award was presented by Alumni Association Board President Jacqueline Perez ’19 at the graduation reception held on Friday, May 30.
Leah Olm spent 15 years in the world of nonprofit fundraising, where she was inspired to learn more about the tax law that influenced people’s philanthropic interests.
“I came into law school to understand how the tax laws worked and how to change them and make them better, particularly for working folks,” said Olm.
From her first day at Mitchell Hamline, Olm committed wholeheartedly to the study of tax law, and she received the Center for Computer-Assisted Legal Instruction’s Excellence for the Future Award for having the highest grade in both election law and income tax law classes.
“Leah has pretty much single-handedly brought the Tax Law Society back to life,” said Professor Mark Gordon, who had Olm in his income tax class, in a letter written in support of her nomination. “Her leadership both reinvigorated this student activity and also led to the scheduling of a whole series of events … that have strengthened opportunities for students and also strengthened the school’s connection with leaders in the field.”
Professor Morgan Holcomb hoods Olm before the commencement ceremony.
In addition to serving as co-president for the Tax Law Society, during her time in law school Olm held an externship with the Minnesota Tax Court and served two years as treasurer of the board for Headwaters Foundation for Justice, which invests in grassroots organizations across Minnesota, with a focus on Black and Indigenous-led organizations. She also was a research assistant for Vice Dean of Academics and Professor Morgan Holcomb for two years.
“Students like Leah keep me optimistic about the future of our shared profession,” said Holcomb, citing qualities including Olm’s thoughtfulness, positivity, commitment to the school, and “ferocious intellect.”
Olm plans to be a staff attorney in the Minnesota Department of Revenue’s tax department starting in fall 2025. She remains passionate about philanthropy and nonprofits, and is already a monthly donor to Mitchell Hamline.
“It’s worth your investment,” she added with a smile.
Parker Vegemast ’25
Prior to attending Mitchell Hamline, Parker Vegemast spent his time working various jobs to support his family while his mother battled an aggressive cancer, one that would ultimately take her life. Having overcome struggles in his personal life, Vegemast knew he wanted to give back to others in their own difficult and vulnerable situations and help people land on their feet.
“Parker has shown a dedication to helping the poor and disadvantaged throughout his law school career,” wrote Shawn Webb ’04 in his nomination. Webb is an adjunct professor and managing attorney for the First District Public Defender’s Office, where he supervised Vegemast as a certified student attorney.
There, Vegemast volunteered hundreds of hours to assist with in-custody arraignments, pretrial arraignments, probation revocation hearings, and jury trials.
“I have supervised hundreds of student practitioners for the public defender’s office during my 20+ years with the agency,” added Webb, “and Parker is one of the very best I have ever had the privilege of working with.”
In addition to serving as a law clerk with the Public Defender’s Office, Vegemast was an assistant for the personal injury firm Schwebel, Goetz & Sieben. At Mitchell Hamline, he became involved in the Student Bar Association right away as a section representative during his 1L year; participated in the Summit Cup competition; helped promote the Prison to Law Pipeline program; and found himself on the dean’s list every semester for academic achievement.
When he learned he had won the Student Award of Merit, Vegemast was speechless. “I cannot say enough that I did not get here alone,” he said. “It felt like a collective award, because it really takes a village.”
Vegemast is currently studying for the bar exam in July, but he can’t wait to dive back into criminal defense and helping others.
“I miss being in court, and I miss being with my clients,” he said. “I just want to do the work.”
