From left, Vice Dean Ardrit Gashi, Center for Law and Business Director Kim Vu-Dinh, Mitchell Hamline President and Dean Camille M. Davidson, Dean Avni Puka, and Professor Muhamet Vokkri
Mitchell Hamline’s Center for Law and Business was honored to host “Global Law in Action: Kosovo & Minnesota,” a special convening that brought together legal scholars and members of the judiciary from Kosovo and Minnesota for a warm and engaging exchange of ideas.
The event featured Dean Avni Puka, Vice Dean Ardrit Gashi, and Clinical Program Coordinator Muhamet Vokrri from the University of Prishtina Faculty of Law, alongside distinguished members of the Minnesota judiciary, including Judge John R. Tunheim, Judge Steven Swanson, and Judge Paul Scoggin. The discussion explored legal education, clinical legal training, access to justice, and the role of courts and legal institutions in strengthening democratic societies.
What made the gathering particularly meaningful was the spirit in which it was conducted. The conversation was thoughtful, collegial, and candid, reflecting the strong and growing relationship between Minnesota’s legal community and our partners in Kosovo. Participants shared experiences from their respective legal systems, exchanged ideas about legal education and public service, and identified opportunities for future collaboration.
The panel was one highlight of a broader visit by the Kosovo delegation. During their time in Minnesota, the visitors toured the clinical programs at all three Twin Cities law schools—Mitchell Hamline School of Law, the University of Minnesota Law School, and the University of St. Thomas School of Law. These visits provided an opportunity to compare approaches to experiential legal education and to showcase the innovative work being done by law students and faculty throughout the region.
Of course, the visit was not limited to law. The delegation also enjoyed some of Minnesota’s vibrant sports culture, attending both a Minnesota Frost game and a Minnesota Timberwolves game. These experiences provided additional opportunities for friendship, cultural exchange, and conversation outside the classroom and courtroom.
By the conclusion of the visit, it was clear that “Global Law in Action” had accomplished far more than hosting a panel discussion. The program strengthened institutional relationships, fostered new professional connections, and reinforced a shared commitment to legal education, public service, and international collaboration. The Center for Law and Business looks forward to continuing this partnership and welcoming future opportunities to bring legal communities together across borders.
In 2025, the Center for Law and Business led the first-ever U.S. law school study abroad in Kosovo. They returned this summer for a study abroad program hosted by the University of Prishtina, where students were able to examine transitional justice and economic development in post-conflict societies, using Kosovo as a central case study.