Hosted at the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis, the annual Mitchell Hamline Law Review Banquet brought another successful year for the publication to a close. Current and former members of the Law Review, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends celebrated 52 years of excellence, recognized the hard work of this year’s members, and enjoyed networking and marking a milestone for the publication.
Federal Defender for the District of Minnesota Katherian Roe delivered an inspiring keynote address to the attendees. As federal defender, Roe oversees providing high-quality representation to individuals charged with federal crimes and has pioneered structural improvements to the federal defense system through service on national commissions, prioritization of professional development for young attorneys, and ensuring that clients feel respected and understood. Her legal career was inspired by the lack of Native American lawyers representing the 1973 Wounded Knee occupation defendants, and she has dedicated herself to shaping a more representative federal criminal bar.
The Law Review presented its two annual awards at the banquet. The Ainsworth Memorial Award for Legal Innovation and Impact was awarded to John Thompson, who served as an associate on Vol. 52 of the Law Review.
Named for the inaugural editors-in-chief of the Law Review’s legacy publications, the Wallace-Lerner Excellence in Leadership Award recognizes alumni who demonstrate support of the law school and outstanding leadership. This year’s deserving recipient was Jevon Bindman ’14, a litigation partner and pro bono committee chair at Maslon. He works with clients in a range of industries, with a focus on representing stakeholders in construction and real estate matters and assisting policyholders in insurance coverage disputes. Bindman also served as editor-in-chief of Vol. 40 of the William Mitchell Law Review.
The evening also featured a rousing live performance by The Reasonable Doubts, a band made up of nine Minnesota Supreme Court justices and district court judges, including alum Justice Anne McKeig ’92.
The banquet was made possible through the support of its sponsors in the legal community: Faegre Drinker; Messerli Kramer; Best & Flanagan; Maslon; Winthrop & Weinstine; Brandt Kettwick Defense; Dorsey; Milavetz Injury Law; Stinson; Taft; Tuft, Lach, Jerabek & O’Connell; and Themis Bar Review, A UWorld Company.
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- The bustling room is filled with networking and celebration.
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- Vol. 52 Editor-in-Chief Taylor Anderson (left) and Vol. 53 Editor-in-Chief Melisa Sturman.
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- Guests mingle at the banquet.
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- Dr. Molly Steenson, president and CEO of the American Swedish Institute and daughter of Professor Mike Steenson, the Law Review’s faculty advisor.
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- Katherian Roe, Federal Defender for the District of Minnesota, delivers keynote remarks.
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- The Reasonable Doubts give a live performance.
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- John Thompson received the Ainsworth Memorial Award for Legal Innovation and Impact.
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- Jevon Bindman ’14, Wallace-Lerner Excellence in Leadership Award recipient, with his family.
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- Bindman, Anderson, Vol. 52 Symposium Editor Sigrid Jewett, Roe, President and Dean Camille Davidson, Dr. Steenson, Board Chair Greg Buck ’87, and Professor Jim Hilbert.