University of St. Thomas School of Law
2013-2014
www.stthomas.edu/law
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University of St. Thomas School of Law
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he decision to study law is deeply personal. For many, the motivation centers on the desire to seek social justice and to serve. The University of St. Thomas School of Law offers academic rigor and personal encouragement to students as they work to achieve their goals in a community that is supportive and challenging, so they can make a difference. The School of Law’s mission is to integrate faith and reason in the search for truth through a focus on morality and social justice. To implement this mission, each member of the School of Law community is dedicated to promoting excellence in: ■■
Professional preparation
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Scholarly engagement and societal reform
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Service and community
Table of Contents Letter from the Dean. . . . . . . . . . . 4 Profile: Class of 2016. . . . . . . . . . . 5 Academics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Student Perspective . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Centers and Institutes. . . . . . . . . . 11 Faculty. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Experiential Learning. . . . . . . . . . 14 Student Perspective . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Faith and Social Justice . . . . . . . . 18 School of Law Community. . . . . . 21 Student Perspective . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Campus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 The Twin Cities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Career and Professional Development. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Alumni. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Alumni Perspective . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Admissions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 www.stthomas.edu/law
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Welcome to St. Thomas AS DEAN, I LEAD A TEAM dedicated to your formation as a professional at a law school that is well positioned to navigate a rapidly changing landscape. Clients have long complained about lawyers who can find their way around a statute, but who cannot find their way to practice empathy, effective listening, or cooperative problem-solving. St. Thomas is way ahead of the curve in this regard. A commitment to take relationships seriously – and to educate students in a way that equips them to take relationships seriously – has been a hallmark of our school since we opened our doors 12 years ago. That may help explain why we have so frequently been at or near the top of The Princeton Review’s rankings for student quality of life. The commitment is not an add-on to our mission; it is at the core of our mission. As a Catholic law school, we believe in the social nature and inherent dignity of the human person – a belief we share with all major religious traditions – and we have built the law school community accordingly. By developing a strong service ethic and the relationship skills that go with it, law students aren’t just doing the right thing; they’re doing the smart thing. We know that effective lawyers must grow to internalize a robust set of professional values that require placing service to others over self, not simply acquire a set of technical skills. Whether it’s through our award-winning mentor externship program, our expanding array of clinics, our groundbreaking ethical leadership courses, a faculty of world-class scholars who help students pursue legal reform that improves lives, or our rich sense of community and commitment to public service, St. Thomas continues to pioneer new paths of professional formation. Put simply, we educate the whole person. The results thus far have been remarkable, but I’m confident that the best is yet to come. Robert K. Vischer Dean Professor of Law
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University of St. Thomas School of Law
The School of Law is located in downtown Minneapolis, where most buildings are connected by a skyway system (left) that lets you enjoy the beauty of winter from indoors.
Profile: Class of 2016 Numbers based on enrollment as of Orientation, August 2013 Total Class Size: 115 Gender Female: 43% Male: 57% Average Age: 25 Age Range: 21-48 Minority Enrollment: 15% GPA/LSAT Information GPA LSAT* 3.30 154 Mean 3.38 155 Median 3.01 150 25% 3.66 159 75% *LSAT calculations based on 100 LSAT takers
Number with advanced degrees: 6 Top majors by percentages Political Science 30% Business 12% Psychology 10% Philosophy 9% Humanities 9% States Represented: 21 Countries Represented: 3 Undergraduate Institutions: 64 Represented Include: Baylor University Bowdoin College College of Saint Benedict
Concordia College-MN Franciscan University of Steubenville Loyola University-Chicago Marquette University North Dakota State University-Fargo Princeton University Providence College South Dakota State University University of Arizona University of Colorado-Boulder University of Iowa University of Nebraska-Lincoln University of Manitoba University of Minnesota-Minneapolis University of Notre Dame University of Wisconsin-Madison Whitworth University
Student Body Profile: Total Student Body: 406 Average Age: 26 Percent Minority: 13.6% Full-time faculty: 29 Student/Faculty Ratio: 14:1 Clinic Practice Areas: Elder law, immigration, community justice, consumer bankruptcy, bankruptcy litigation, federal commutations, federal appellate advocacy, misdemeanor defense and nonprofit organizations. Joint degrees with: Business, Catholic Studies, Education (Public Policy), and Social Work
Religious Preference: 44 percent of our fall 2013 entering class identified as Roman Catholic and another 6% did not indicate a preference. The remaining students identified as other Christian, Lutheran, Methodist, Episcopalian, Baptist, Muslim, Orthodox, Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, Presbyterian or no religious preference or affiliation. Assistant Dean for External Relations Lisa Brabbit, right, said she most enjoys helping connect law students and alumni to the School of Law’s extensive professional network. www.stthomas.edu/law
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Academics Bringing Relationships to Legal Education Law school has traditionally been an isolating experience. The absence of any meaningful sense of community, coupled with intense competition, has led to what has been, for many students, a miserable three years. This common approach to legal education creates harms that extend far beyond law school, though, for lawyers who lack relationship skills tend not to be very effective lawyers. Clients have long complained about lawyers who can craft a clever legal argument but lack the ability to empathize, to practice effective listening, or to problemsolve cooperatively and creatively. In short, relationships matter. At St. Thomas, we embrace the importance of relationships as well as the more traditional aspects of a legal education. As a Catholic law school, our commitment to honoring human dignity provides a firm grounding for us to honor relationships. Our awardwinning mentor program may be the most obvious example of this commitment, but it is far from the only one. Consider these other building blocks of the St. Thomas experience: Foundations of Justice: The first year Foundations of Justice course is designed to help students discern and articulate the moral dimension of law and lawyering, thereby empowering students to better serve the interests of their clients and communities. A person’s interests are not always captured fully by the letter of the law, and so a lawyer who is unprepared to raise moral considerations is unprepared to enter into an authentic relationship of service with her client. Experiential learning: At St. Thomas, students can integrate what they have learned with a deeper 6
University of St. Thomas School of Law
experience of professional relationships. You might participate in one of our 10 clinics serving real clients. You might choose an externship in which you would work for an agency, business or judge while taking a class that helps you understand how to build the relationships that are necessary to succeed in that environment. Or you might enroll in one of our practicum courses, which are small classes in which students delve more deeply into a given area of law by working on a simulated problem under the close supervision of a professor. Faculty scholarship: At St. Thomas, you will be challenged by professors who are leading experts in their fields, who will not only teach you the doctrine and skills needed to function as a lawyer but also will take you deeper and help you carve out paths of societal engagement and reform. A recent study of scholarly impact showed that the St. Thomas faculty is among the 30 most productive law faculties in the country. Our commitment to scholarship is not a distraction from our commitment to teaching – it is central to our commitment to teaching. A community, not a factory: In order to make the School of Law’s mission a reality, we knew that it would require more than certain types of classes or programs; it would require the creation of a real community. Our goal is not to churn out as many lawyers as possible. Our goal is to help form professional leaders who are firmly grounded in their own core values and commitments.
This requires personal attention and care. We have deliberately kept our student body small, resulting in a low student-faculty ratio, dozens of small
classes, and the opportunity for oneon-one collaboration with your professors. As a growing body of survey data shows, our approach is working. Once prospective students experience the St. Thomas community – even if it is only for a few hours on a campus visit – they usually want to become a part of it. And judging by our top ranking in alumni giving, our graduates are glad they did. When you enroll at St. Thomas, you’re not just signing up to learn about the law. You’re joining a community that will help shape and sustain your professional identity not only for the next three years, but for the rest of your career. Sincerely, Joel A. Nichols Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Professor of Law
Required Coursework
Focused Coursework
Required First-Year Courses
The School of Law offers many of the same courses that often are classified as part of a specialization or concentration. The following are examples of how students can develop a particular focus by taking certain classes. The list is by no means exhaustive. The relationships students at the School of Law will develop with professors, mentors and faculty advisers help provide wonderful insight on a particular specialization or concentration of coursework as students explore different areas of study. For more guidance on focused course work, including foundational and advanced courses, see http://www.stthomas.edu/law/ academics/courses/subjectareas/.
Civil Procedure Constitutional Law Contracts Criminal Law Foundations of Justice Property Torts Lawyering Skills I: Introduction to Legal Reasoning, Analysis, and Writing Lawyering Skills II: Legal Research and Fundamentals of Advocacy Required Upper Level Courses
Business Associations Evidence Lawyering Skills III: Appellate Brief Writing and Advocacy Mentor Externship (2nd year) Mentor Externship II (3rd year) Professional Responsibility
Business and Corporate Law Accounting for Lawyers Administrative Law Advanced Corporations Antitrust Law Arbitration Law and Practice Banking Law Bankruptcy Business Associations Business Externship Business Planning Clinic: Bankruptcy Litigation Clinic: Nonprofit Organizations Corporate Finance Corporate Governance Credit and Payment Devices Employment Law Employment Law Practice Environmental Law Ethical Leadership in Corporate Practice Federal Income Taxation Intellectual Property Intellectual Property Litigation International Business Transactions Labor Law Law and Finance in Emerging Markets Law of Nonprofit Organizations MBA Concepts Mergers and Acquisitions Negotiation Patent Law Pensions and Employee Benefits Religious Faith and Corporate Law
Sales Secured Transactions Securities Regulation Taxation of Business Enterprises Transactional Drafting Civil Litigation and Dispute Resolution Administrative Law Advanced Civil Procedure: Discovery Advanced Clinic Advanced Legal Research Advanced Torts Advanced Trial Advocacy Alternative Dispute Resolution Arbitration Law and Practice Civil Pretrial Litigation Civil Procedure Civil Procedure II Client Interviewing and Counseling Clinic: Community Justice Project Clinic: Consumer Bankruptcy Clinic: Elder Law Practice Group Clinic: Immigration Law Practice Group Complex Litigation Conflict of Laws Ethical Leadership in Litigation Evidence Federal Jurisdiction Judicial Externship Litigation With the Federal Government Mediation Moot Court Competition Negotiation Remedies Trial Advocacy (basic and advanced) Criminal Law Advanced Evidence Advanced Trial Advocacy Children and the Law Client Interviewing and Counseling Clinic: Community Justice Project Clinic: Federal Commutations Clinic: Misdemeanor Defense Crime and Punishment Criminal Law Criminal Practice www.stthomas.edu/law
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Criminal Procedure I: Investigation and Pre-trial Criminal Procedure II: Trial and Post-trial Critical Perspectives: Race Domestic Violence Evidence Infamous Trials Judicial Externship Moot Court and Mock Trial Teams Negotiation Race and the Law Sentencing Law Trial Advocacy (basic and advanced) Wrongful Convictions General Practice Administrative Law Advanced Evidence Advanced Legal Research Alternative Dispute Resolution Arbitration Law and Practice Bankruptcy Business Associations Civil Pre-Trial Litigation Client Interviewing and Counseling Clinic: Bankruptcy Clinic: Elder Law Practice Group Clinic: Immigration Law Practice Group Criminal Procedure: Investigation and Pre-Trial Criminal Procedure: Trial and Post-Trial Consumer Law Children and the Law Disability Law Employment Law Estate Planning Ethical Leadership Evidence Family Law Federal Income Taxation
A complete description of all courses can be found at:
www.stthomas.edu/law/academics
Joint Degree Programs Successful students and lawyers have the ability to look at the world around them in a way that extends beyond a strict legal perspective. The School of Law offers four joint degree programs designed to help expand your view of the world and open up myriad career opportunities. By combining courses of two degrees into one program, students are able to earn two advanced degrees in less time than earning each degree separately. Degree
Academic Partner
Area of Joint Study
J.D./M.A. J.D./M.A. J.D./M.B.A. J.D./M.S.W.
Center for Catholic Studies College of Education, Leadership and Counseling Opus College of Business School of Social Work
Catholic Studies Public Policy and Leadership
Federal Estate and Gift Tax Intellectual Property Labor Law Land Use Law Legal Analysis Review Legal Malpractice Mediation Negotiation Pensions and Employment Benefits Personal Injury: Automobiles Real Estate Transactions Small Firm Practice Social Security Law Transactional Drafting Wills, Estates and Trusts Workers’ Compensation Global and Comparative Law Administrative Law Law and the Problem of Terrorism Clinic: Immigration Law Practice Group Comparative Constitutional Law Genocide: Prevention and Deterrence Immigration Law International Business Transactions International Finance International and Comparative Family Law International Law International Law and Catholic Social Thought International Human Rights Islam and Civil Liberties in Europe Law and Finance in Emerging Markets Public Interest and Social Justice Administrative Law Adoption Law
Business Administration Social Work
Advanced Clinic Alternative Dispute Resolution Canon Law of Marriage Canon Law: Basic Principles Children and the Law Clinic: Bankruptcy Litigation Clinic: Consumer Bankruptcy Clinic: Community Justice Project Clinic: Elder Law Practice Group Clinic: Immigration Law Practice Group Clinic: Nonprofit Organizations Consumer Law Crime and Punishment Critical Perspectives: Race Domestic Violence Employment Discrimination Energy Law Practicum Environmental Law First Amendment: Free Speech First Amendment: Religious Liberty Genocide: Prevention and Deterrence Immigration Law International Human Rights International Law and Catholic Social Thought Islam and Civil Liberties in Europe Legal Scholarship for Equal Justice Litigation With the Federal Government Mediation Native American Law Personal Injury: Automobiles Poverty Law I Poverty Law II Public Interest Externship Race and the Law Social Security Law Workers’ Compensation Wrongful Convictions
Academic Support Law Library: The Schoenecker Law
Library supports student study and research, both on and off campus. On campus, it offers an attractive, comfortable environment for both individual and group study and is open to students 20 hours a day during the school year. A growing collection of materials in all formats is especially designed to meet students’ study and research needs, and a service-oriented staff of four professional librarians, three of whom have law degrees, is available to help you use those resources. Most of the library’s electronic resources are accessible to students from off-
campus locations, and reference staff are available for assistance by phone and online. Academic Achievement: UST
Law’s Academic Achievement program is designed to help students succeed at all stages of their academic careers. This program of support begins at the start of school when all incoming first-year students are invited to attend a four-day voluntary academic success program where they learn how to participate in a class, how to create outlines and structure the materials presented, and how to answer law school essay
questions. Students who participate in the program receive individual feedback, allowing them to begin the school year with an accurate understanding of their strengths and weaknesses. Academic support continues to be available throughout law school with tutoring services, advice, skills training, practice exams and other types of support students may need. Also, the director of academic achievement works closely with graduates who are preparing for the bar exam.
Co-curricular Activities Law Journal: The University of
St. Thomas Law Journal is a studentrun organization and is the only official legal scholarship publication of the School of Law. The journal staff publishes three issues per year and hosts two symposia and a major lecture on topics selected by Journal members. Law journal members work with leading scholars and practitioners, honing their critical thinking, research and writing skills, and sometimes see their own work in print. Symposium topics focus on the School of Law’s mission and include contributions from an array of renowned national and international scholars. Past featured symposium speakers and lecturers include political/religious activist Jim Wallis of the Sojourners group, commutations expert former Maryland Gov. Robert Ehrlich, Assistant Attorney General Tony West of the U.S. Justice Department Civil Division and leading political theorist Jean Bethke Elshtain of the University of Chicago. Student Competitions: Student
competitions provide law students
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The Law Journal, which sponsors two symposia each year, invited global experts in 2013 to speak on the intersection of intellectual property and religious thought.
with unique opportunities for practical application of many concepts and theories integral to legal education. The student-run Board of Advocates facilitates and oversees moot court appellate advocacy competitions as well as competitions for negotiations, client counseling and trial advocacy (mock trial). This rapidly growing program has already achieved notable success and currently involves more than 50 law students as competitors or student coaches. Participant selection is a highly competitive process, and those who succeed win the right
to represent UST Law in competitions with other ABA-accredited law schools throughout the nation as well as with law schools from around the world. Two UST Law teams performed very well in recent years. The ABA National Appellate Advocacy Competition Team took second place in regional competition in Boston in 2011, while the Jessup International Moot Court Team was a semifinalist in Super Regional Competition in Denver in 2011 and a quarterfinalist in 2012. www.stthomas.edu/law
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Student Perspective
Name: Debbie Walker Undergraduate Institution: University College Dublin Year in Law School: 3L
Why did you choose the University of St. Thomas School of Law?
Ultimately, I was intrigued by the mission of the school and by how successful the school had been in a short period of time. Then, as soon as I set my foot in the door, I decided on St Thomas. There is an atmosphere that just makes you want to be here. What has been your experience at UST School of law?
From the beginning, it has been a rich experience. The classes are challenging, the faculty are engaged, and the people are intelligent and interesting. I’ve enjoyed it and have been challenged by it. Overall, I have felt that I’m being prepared for a great, 10
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interesting career but also that I have had the opportunity to grow personally and know exceptional people. What makes the UST School of Law a community?
From the top down, there is a respect for others and a willingness to share in other people’s experiences, and these are what make the school a community. There is a sense that we will be better lawyers by knowing each other, learning from each other and seeing our careers as involving more than our individual successes. What are you involved in outside of the classroom?
I was involved primarily with the student chapter of the Minnesota
Justice Foundation and organizing the Paddle Battle 2011 downstairs at the table tennis tables. It’s a unique stage of life to have the opportunity to hear from so many people who are experienced in their fields. What is the best advice you can give an incoming student to the School of Law?
You will grow, and you will get better at exams, the technical aspects of lawyering and understanding the law. It’s less overwhelming if you remember that it is a process.
Centers and Institutes Holloran Center WITH A MISSION to provide innovative interdisciplinary research, curriculum development and programs focusing on the formation of students and practicing professionals into ethical leaders, the Holloran Center for Ethical Leadership in the Professions addresses the most compelling ethical issue facing profession and business education: How can higher education most effectively foster the ethical professional formation of each student and practicing professional? To meet this challenge, the Holloran Center conducts original empirical research and scholarship on professional formation, which brings together leading scholars of legal education nationally to share knowledge and best practices. Center fellows present at local and national conferences, reaching more than 6,000 professional and business attendees annually. With generous support from the Medtronic Foundation and Fredrikson Byron P.A., the Holloran Center co-sponsors four public forums annually that bring together nationally known leaders to share insights with law and business professors and students, as well as practitioners from local firms. Speakers at Holloran Center public forums in 2013 included Georgetown Law Prof. Milton Regan, former Colorado Supreme Court Justice Rebecca Love Kourlis and Bill George, former CEO for Medtronic and current professor at Harvard Business School.
Former Attorney General of the United States Michael Mukasey spoke during a program titled “Lessons for Litigators: The Critical Distinction Between Law and Policy,” sponsored by the Holloran Center for Ethical Leadership
The Holloran Center also partners with law student leaders and instructors of courses in ethical leadership to bring respected practitioners in business and law to share unique perspectives on current litigation or public policy issues. The breadth of the center’s partnerships provides rich opportunities for students to build an informal network of mentors and contacts.
Murphy Institute The Terrence J. Murphy Institute for Catholic Thought, Law, and Public Policy is a collaboration of the Center for Catholic Studies and the School of Law. Its mission is to foster robust collaboration among scholars of law, theology and philosophy, enriched by the Catholic intellectual tradition, to generate scholarship and curricular materials, and share the fruits of this collaboration with the community. Research-based initiatives span the spectrum of its public programming and academic conferences such as the spring 2013 conference on Intellectual Property and Religious Thought, presented jointly with the School of Law’s Law Journal. The institute’s multiyear series of public lectures on human dignity by prominent scholars are supplemented by private interdisciplinary seminars. In the summer of 2013, the institute sponsored
a colloquium on Thomas More on Ethics, Law and Liberty, presented by scholars of the Center for Thomas More Studies at the University of Dallas. Murphy Institute will continue its popular Hot Topics: Cool Talk series, which explores Catholic positions and other perspectives on provocative issues of law and politics, drawing on prominent scholars of law, theology, economics and politics. The institute also is part of a project funded by the Caritas in Veritate Foundation to support Catholic representatives of the Holy See working at the United Nations by providing policy analysis on issues under consideration. The institute offers a Murphy Scholars Program for select students enrolled in the J.D./M.A. in Catholic Studies joint degree program. www.stthomas.edu/law
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Faculty THE UNIQUE MISSION of the University of St. Thomas School of Law has drawn a faculty of distinguished teacher-scholars. Many of them are national leaders in their fields, having published books and widely cited articles, litigated cases in courts from the U.S. Supreme Court to federal and state courts, testified in Congress or state legislatures, and served in various capacities for law-reform commissions, Native American tribunals, nonprofit service organizations and more. At the same time, our faculty members embrace their role as teachers. They are accessible, engaged and deeply committed to preparing students for a legal career. Faculty members consistently demonstrate their dedication by challenging, encouraging and supporting students in their journey to integrate faith and reason in the search for truth.
Benjamin Carpenter Associate Professor of Law J.D., Mercer University, Walter F. George School of Law B.A., University of Notre Dame
Ann L. Bateson Associate Dean, Professor of Law, Director, Schoenecker Law Library J.D., University of Minnesota Law School M.A., Library Science, University of Minnesota B.A., College of St. Catherine
Rev. Daniel Griffith Distinguished Service Faculty J.D., William Mitchell College of Law M.A., Theology, University of St. Thomas M. Div., University of St. Thomas B.A., University of St. Thomas
Thomas C. Berg James L. Oberstar Professor of Law and Public Policy J.D., University of Chicago Law School M.A., Religion, University of Chicago M.A., Philosophy and Politics, Oxford University B.S., Northwestern University
Neil W. Hamilton Professor of Law; Director, The Holloran Center for Ethical Leadership in the Professions J.D., University of Minnesota Law School M.A., Economics (Industrial Organizations), University of Michigan B.A., Colorado College
René Bowser Associate Professor of Law LL.M., Georgetown University Law Center J.D., Stanford Law School M.A., Economics, Northwestern University B.A., University of Maryland College Park 12
University of St. Thomas School of Law
Teresa S. Collett Professor of Law J.D., University of Oklahoma College of Law B.A., University of Oklahoma Robert J. Delahunty Professor of Law J.D., Harvard Law School B.Phil., Oxford University B.A., Columbia University B.A., M.A. Oxford University Mitchell Gordon Associate Professor of Law and Director of Lawyering Skills J.D., University of Minnesota Law School M.A., Public Policy, University of Minnesota B.A., Tufts University
Mariana Hernandez-Crespo Associate Professor of Law J.D., Harvard Law School LL.M., Harvard Law School J.D., Universidad Catolica Andres Bello
Thomas E. Holloran Senior Distinguished Fellow J.D., University of Minnesota Law School B.S., University of Minnesota Lyman Johnson Laurence and Jean LeJeune Distinguished Chair in Law J.D., University of Minnesota Law School B.A., Carleton College Thomas Joyce Distinguished Visiting Professor from Practice LL.B., University of Notre Dame B.S., St. John’s University Wulf Kaal Associate Professor of Law LL.M., University of Illinois College of Law J.D., University of Illinois College of Law M.B.A. (Finance), Durham University – Durham, U.K. Ph.D. (Law and Economics), Humboldt Universität zu Berlin – Berlin, Germany Robert A. Kahn Associate Professor of Law J.D., New York University Law School Ph.D., Political Science, Johns Hopkins University B.A., Columbia University Nekima V. Levy-Pounds Professor of Law J.D., University of Illinois College of Law B.A., University of Southern California Barbara Luppi Visiting Professor Ph.D., London School of Economics and Political Science Ph.D., University of Bologna M.Sc., London School of Economics and Political Science Laurea, University of Bologna
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Best Professors: In 2011, UST School of Law professors placed in the top 10 on Princeton Review’s “Best Professors” list.
Joel A. Nichols Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor of Law J.D., Emory University School of Law M.Div., Emory University, Candler School of Theology B.A., Abilene Christian University Jerome M. Organ Professor of Law J.D., Vanderbilt University School of Law B.A., Miami University Julie A. Oseid Professor of Law J.D., University of Minnesota Law School B.A., University of Minnesota, Duluth Mark Osler Professor of Law J.D., Yale Law School B.A., College of William and Mary Michael S. Paulsen Distinguished University Chair and Professor of Law J.D., Yale Law School M.A., Yale Divinity School B.A., Northwestern University
Gregory C. Sisk Pio Cardinal Laghi Distinguished Chair in Law J.D., University of Washington Law School B.A., Montana State University
Charles J. Reid Jr. Professor of Law J.D., Catholic University of America J.C.L., Catholic University of America Ph.D., History of Medieval Law, Cornell University B.A., University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
Susan J. Stabile Robert and Marion Short Distinguished Chair in Law and Professor of Law J.D., New York University School of Law B.A., Georgetown University
Rev. D. Reginald Whitt, O.P. Professor of Law J.D., Duke Law School J.C.L., Catholic University of America J.C.D., Catholic University of America S.T.B., Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception B.A., Loyola College, Maryland
Scott A. Taylor Professor of Law LL.M., New York University School of Law J.D., University of New Mexico School of Law M.A., English, University of New Mexico B.U.S., University of New Mexico
Virgil O. Wiebe Professor of Law LL.M., Georgetown University Law Center J.D., New York University School of Law M.Phil., Latin American Studies, Oxford University B.A., Kansas State University
Artika R. Tyner Clinical Faculty J.D., University of St. Thomas School of Law Ed.D., University of St. Thomas M.A., University of St. Thomas B.A., Hamline University
Jennifer L. Wright Professor of Law J.D., Stanford Law School B.A., Swarthmore College
Elizabeth R. Schiltz Professor of Law, Thomas J. Abood Research Scholar, and Co-Director of the Terrence J. Murphy Institute for Catholic Thought, Law and Public Policy J.D., Columbia Law School B.A., Yale University Henry Shea Senior Distinguished Fellow, School of Law; Fellow, The Holloran Center for Ethical Leadership in the Professions J.D., Harvard Law School B.S., Georgetown University
Robert K. Vischer Dean and Professor of Law J.D., Harvard Law School B.A., University of New Orleans
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Experiential Learning Mentor Externship THE SCHOOL OF LAW’S awardwinning Mentor Externship Program is one of the most distinctive and innovative components of the School of Law. It combines hands-on experience with thoughtful reflection to give each student a truly personal view of the legal profession. Each year of study, students are paired with a respected lawyer or judge in the community. Mentors introduce students to the work of lawyers and judges through observation and hands-on experiences in activities such as court hearings, depositions, client meetings or appellate arguments. In addition, mentors discuss with students the traditions,
skills and competencies necessary for success in the profession. Through these and other activities, mentors also help students understand professionalism in ways that traditional study of law cannot capture. Over the course of three years, students build meaningful relationships with members of the bench and bar. More than 500 lawyers and judges currently volunteer as mentors in the program, and as a group they reflect the diversity of the profession in all its forms, including age, gender, ethnicity, practice area, geographic location and religion. Mentors also represent all sectors of the profession: private practice
University of St. Thomas law student Mariam Elrashidi (right) with her mentor, School of Law alumna Shayne Hamann.
from solo to large firm, all levels of government, nonprofit and public interest organizations, in-house counsel, prosecutors, public defenders and nearly all levels of the judiciary. In addition to time spent with their mentors, upper-level students participate in the yearlong mentor externship course. The course integrates students’ fieldwork experiences in small group discussions examining the School of Law’s mission in the setting of the profession and exploring core competencies of lawyers and key relationships students must manage. Through course assignments, individualized feedback, and face-to-face meetings with faculty mentors, each student receives guidance in his or her self-directed professional journey. The program’s excellence has twice been recognized by the American Bar Association. In 2005, the program received the coveted E. Smythe Gambrell Professionalism Award, which recognizes projects contributing to the understanding of professionalism among lawyers. Also in 2005, the Mentor Externship Program was one of three national finalists for an American Bar Association award for innovations in teaching professionalism. The program ranked No.1 in the country for having the most externship placements for full-time students in National Jurist’s past two rankings (2010 and 2011 ABA Data).
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Number one for externships: The School of Law was ranked #1 in the country by National Jurist for having the most externship placements per full-time student in 2010 and 2011.
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University of St. Thomas School of Law
The Interprofessional Center for Counseling and Legal Services The Interprofessional Center for Counseling and Legal Services (IPC) is among the first in the country through which faculty, staff and students from law, psychology and social work collaborate to help clients in need. At the same time, students gain practical experience working on real cases, learning skills that will serve them well in their future practices. Under the guidance of the center’s faculty, law students represent and assist underserved populations of the Twin Cities in 10 practice areas: elder law, immigration, community justice, consumer bankruptcy, bankruptcy litigation, federal commutations, federal appellate, immigration appellate, misdemeanor defense and nonprofit organizations. With extensive client interaction and legal representation, including document drafting, fact investigation, interviewing, collaboration with community organizations and court appearances, the center provides unparalleled opportunities for experiential learning. Student connection to clients is deep, and the work is often intense. Through their work, students develop a distinctive link to the community
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The IPC has cosponsored the series “How Are the Children” for the past five years, tackling issues important to juveniles and their intersection with the justice system.
that is in harmony with the School of Law’s mission and its role as a Catholic, urban law school. In the center, law students frequently work with students from the University of St. Thomas – St. Catherine University School of Social Work and the University of St. Thomas Graduate School of Professional Psychology, learning the collaborative skills critical to a successful practice. Problems addressed range from health care issues to political asylum to bridge building with community stakeholders and
problem-solving in distressed communities. Because few challenges suffered by the working poor are purely legal in nature, the center’s multidisciplinary approach provides many of the resources needed by clients in the resolution of their concerns. In May 2012, the center moved to its new location in Opus Hall on the Minneapolis campus. In addition to raising the IPC’s visibility both in the university and the community, the new space facilitates even more of the interprofessional collaboration that is the center’s hallmark.
Academic Impact: The academic impact of the School of Law was shown again with the release of the 2012 Scholarly Impact study. The School of Law ranked #30 for scholarly impact using the methodology of Professor Brian Leiter.
Summer Study Abroad Program in Rome For the past seven years the School of Law has partnered with Villanova University School of Law to offer a study program in Rome, Italy. During the middle of the summer, students have the opportunity to travel to Rome and take courses from faculty at both universities. Students will gain international experience both in the classroom and beyond. In the past, students have met with legal leaders in Italy and the Holy See, participated in a papal audience and listened to individuals involved in some of the most important international legal cases of the day.
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Among the best: UST Law was ranked in the top 50 U.S. law schools on Professor Paul Caron’s list based on the Princeton Review’s 2011 edition of the Best 172 Law Schools.
Public Service Members of the School of Law community are committed to serving others. Students are required to complete 50 hours of community service during their three years of law school. This unique opportunity to help others is often viewed as an opportunity rather than a requirement, and many students go above and beyond the required hours. In addition to working on individual projects, students can complete public service hours at the spring and fall Public Service Days. Students, faculty and administrators spend the day working together with service organizations, including Habitat for Humanity and Feed My Starving Children.
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University of St. Thomas School of Law
Each spring we pay tribute to involvement and leadership in activities that support the School of Law’s mission. The annual Mission Awards Ceremony recognizes students, faculty, staff and alumni who best exemplify the mission by their activities inside and outside the classroom. One member of each class and an alumnus are honored with a Living the Mission Award, while individuals and organizations are recognized for Excellence in Professional Preparation, Scholarly Engagement and Societal Reform and Service and Community. Professor Neil Hamilton joined law students serving on Habitat for Humanity projects.
Student Perspective
Name: Rachana Chhin Undergraduate Institution: Baylor University Year in Law School: 3L
Why did you choose the University of St. Thomas School of Law?
I knew that I wanted to go to a Catholic law school. St. Thomas immediately came up in my searches and intrigued me with its unique mission, tight-knit community and joint degree opportunities. My family and I were pleased with the scholarship offered and a visit to the beautiful campus sealed the deal. What has been your experience at UST School of law?
St. Thomas has been an amazing place to go to law school. It’s not merely a place where I take classes and learn about the law and grow
professionally, but also a place where I’ve made so many wonderful friends and been mentored by professors passionate about what they do. I’ve grown in both my faith and as a person here. What has your experience in the joint program with Catholic Studies been like?
Phenomenal. The Catholic Studies classes are a change of pace from what I normally take, and I really appreciate the way that it all comes together to inform the way in which I approach my legal studies. Through this, I get a better sense of not of just being a lawyer, but a Catholic lawyer who will utilize this formation in
service of the good, for the Church and for humanity as a whole. What is the best advice you can give an incoming student to the School of Law?
Study, yes. But do not make that the entirety of your law school experience. UST Law (and the greater Twin Cities community) has so much to offer. But make sure to create good memories too. Be in the wider law school and Twin Cities community. Meet your fellow students. Listen to their stories. Make lifelong friends. And make sure to take time to do what you love too.
www.stthomas.edu/law
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Faith and Social Justice FAITH AND SOCIAL JUSTICE are not only discussed and debated at the University of St. Thomas School of Law – they are put into action. Through participation in an array of classroom and experiential learning opportunities students are challenged to discover the meaning of faith and social justice, and how to integrate them into their personal lives and professional practices.
Social Justice and the Needs of the Disadvantaged UST Law students are passionate about many causes and have the opportunity to lead projects that advance social justice, whether through legal reform or through service to individuals. UST Law offers a host of opportunities designed, in the words of its vision statement, “to address the needs and improve the conditions of the disadvantaged and underserved.” Each year, students take on new projects, individually or collectively, through the curriculum or through extracurricular organizations made up of those who share their passion for particular issues. The following examples are just some of the ways our community puts a commitment to social justice into action. ■■
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A marble statue of St. Thomas More, patron saint of lawyers, overlooks the atrium of the School of Law, reminding faculty and students of the role of conscience and ethics in the practice of law.
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University of St. Thomas School of Law
Professor Mark Osler and the students of the Federal Commutations Clinic are making a national impact. Osler has been part of White House meetings on the topic, and his students have investigated and prepared commutation petitions for inmates who may benefit from this underutilized part of the legal system. In December 2011, Brotherhood Inc. opened as a direct result of five years of work by the Community Justice Project. Brotherhood, Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that seeks to uplift and empower young African American males, ages 16 to 24, who have had contact with the criminal justice system or gangs, or who are at risk of such
involvement. Brotherhood Inc. is a comprehensive re-entry and prevention program that takes a holistic approach by providing culturally sensitive social services, educational opportunities and on-site employment for participants through the creation of social enterprises. ■■
Through the Elder Law Practice Group, School of Law students helped victims of elder financial exploitation recover damages. In addition, elders with guardianship concerns had those issues resolved. Those whose long-term care rights or Medicaid rights were threatened were able to vindicate those rights, and elders who were threatened with the loss of their homes were able to remain in them.
As part of their work with the Interprofessional Center clinical programs, social work alumna Jacqui Hutchinson M.S.W. ’11 (left) and law alumna Sarah Ellsworth ’10 (right) listen to Jeniffer, a survivor of torture in her native Kenya. “I knew Jeniffer deserved asylum, and I wanted so much for her to receive it,” said Ellsworth. “She depended on me to do something really important, and together we achieved that final goal. This will be a highlight of my career forever.”
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Professor Marianna HernandezCrespo continued work on the UST International Alternative Dispute Resolution Research Network, which works in Latin America bringing resources and action in alternative dispute resolution to promote justice. The Murphy Institute for Catholic Thought, Law, and Public Policy’s Hot Topics: Cool Talk series brought together a series of speakers to debate some of the hottest political topics of the day – ranging from deficit spending to home schooling law. Structured
so that each side was represented by a leader in the field, these talks brought hundreds of community members together with students to listen to both sides of these important debates. ■■
Survivors of torture and persecution secured political asylum in the United States with the assistance of law, social work and psychology students in the Interprofessional Center for Counseling and Legal Services. The asylees came from around the world, including Cameroon, Uganda, Burma and Kenya.
Father Whitt is one of the founding members of the faculty. He teaches Torts to first year students.
Scholarships and Support: The School of Law has raised over $100 million in gifts and pledges to establish professorships and chairs, and provide financial aid for students.
www.stthomas.edu/law
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Worship and Faith Formation Opportunities
Each day the School of Law sets aside noon to 12:30 p.m. as a time of personal reflection. Mass is celebrated daily in our chapel during this time. There are also weekly Protestant worship periods and Bible study. Yoga is typically offered one or two days a week. Students also may use the time for individual reflection.
Faith Faith and reason walk side by side at the University of St. Thomas School of Law, which welcomes students, faculty and staff of all faiths, and those with no connection to organized religion. Our community includes people of many faiths (Catholics, Jews, Muslims, Lutherans, Buddhists and Mennonites, to name a few). Within our walls, all are welcome. As a Catholic law school, students and faculty can be open about discussing their beliefs. They can talk about how faith and reason can be integrated not only in the world of ideas but also in the day-to-day lives of practicing attorneys. School of Law faculty members challenge students to consider how they can practice law in a way that is consistent with their personal convictions, including those convictions that are grounded in faith; consequently, this allows UST Law students the opportunity to strengthen and refine their moral compasses while learning the law. In short, religious considerations are open for discussion at this Catholic law school in a way they cannot be at a secular law school. The UST 20
University of St. Thomas School of Law
Law community fosters and reflects all the views and perspectives found at a secular law school. But the community encourages students to share and incorporate their faith perspectives into such discussions. Faith is lived out at the School of Law in a variety of ways throughout the academic calendar. Students have the opportunity to participate in daily Mass and other worship services both in the building and within a few blocks. Several times a year retreats and other programs of spiritual formation are offered for students, faculty and staff. Faith also is expressed in community wide commitments to service and social justice. The University of St. Thomas School of Law offers all the elements common to outstanding law schools across the country: We teach and learn; research, write and publish; present academic and professional speakers and host conferences. We do all this while integrating faith and reason in the search for truth through a focus on morality and social justice.
Prior to the start of the fall and spring semesters, interested students and alumni have the opportunity to participate in a weekend vocation retreat, which provides an opportunity to reflect on how God might be calling us to use our gifts and talents to serve others in the study and practice of law. During the semester, several “Retreats in Daily Living” are offered during which participants commit themselves to a half-hour of prayer each day. Prayer material relating to the retreat theme is provided for each day. In addition, participants meet for an hour each week. Occasional midday reflections also are offered on themes ranging from “Spirituality and Social Justice” to “Finding God in All Things.” Student groups such as the St. Thomas More Society and the Christian Legal Society also offer periodic opportunities for faith sharing.
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High Quality of Life: The School of Law has repeatedly ranked in the top 10 of Princeton Review’s “Best Quality of Student Life” list.
Community THE SCHOOL OF LAW has established itself not only as an outstanding law school but also as an exceptional place to be a law student. For five straight years students ranked the School of Law in the top five in the country for Best Quality of Life, according to the Princeton Review. The Best Quality of Life category of Princeton Review’s annual survey is based on “student assessment of: whether there is a strong sense of community at the school, how aesthetically pleasing the law school is, the location of the law school, the quality of the social life, classroom facilities, and the library staff.” While a number of factors contribute to the outstanding quality of
life at the School of Law – including the beautiful building, facilities, technology and remarkable faculty and staff – the school’s students are clearly the biggest factor in shaping the quality of life and welcoming community. The mission of UST Law draws passionate students, from across the political spectrum, who want to improve the world in which they live. In the classroom, in co-curricular activities and in daily interaction, students maintain a culture of dignity and respect. The atmosphere is collegial, not cutthroat; affirming, not alienating; supportive, not combative. Students at the School of Law are driven and intellectually talented, but they understand their role in maintaining the quality of life that
initially drew them to St. Thomas. The School of Law fosters a community that students say “feels right” because members are committed to making it a place where they can learn from others and contribute their own gifts to moving the mission forward. The student body of more than 400 reflects a wide range of experiences, voices and beliefs. While most of our students are only a few years removed from undergraduate life, a growing number of nontraditional students study and learn here. A strong social life thrives on campus with a full calendar of formal and informal community activities; of course, the primary source of the high quality of life is the friendships born from working, learning and living together. www.stthomas.edu/law
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Student Organizations • American Civil Liberties Union • American Constitution Society • Animal Legal Defense Fund • Asian Pacific Law Student Association • Black Law Student Association • Business and Corporate Law Society • Chess Club • Christian Legal Society • Criminal Law Association • Elder Law Student Association • Employment Law Society • Environmental Law Society • Federal Bar Association • Federalist Society • Health Law Society • Immigration Law Society • Intellectual Property Law Association • Jewish Law Students Association • Journal of Law and Public Policy • Latino/a Law Student Association • Law Democrats • Law Republicans • Lawyers’ Council on Social Justice • Lex Vitae • Military Law Society • OUT!Law • Public Service Board • Social Committee • St. Thomas More Society • Women Law Student Association • Yoga Club
Dr. Artika Tyner serves as Director of Diversity at the School of Law. Tyner’s ongoing work as part of the Interprofessional Center continues to make a profound impact in diverse communities in the Twin Cities.
Diversity The University of St. Thomas School of Law is a diverse community of students, faculty, staff and alumni of varied ethnicities, experiences, goals, cultural and faith traditions, and values. Individually and collectively, students, faculty and staff contribute to the diversity, community and inclusiveness that are foundational precepts of the School of Law’s mission. This mission demonstrates UST Law’s unwavering belief in the value of diversity and a commitment to ensure that the law community fully reflects the great diversity of God’s creation. Diversity is one the most valuable assets of the School of Law community. It makes classroom discussions rich, creates a welcoming environment and promotes a robust exchange of ideas. Diversity also promotes active student engagement and participation, with more than 40 student organizations actively involved in the furtherance of social justice efforts and public service. The School of Law’s commitment to diversity creates opportunities for students, alumni, faculty, staff and community members to become informed and engaged about
issues related to diversity. This includes participating in educational programs and hosting guest lectures on emerging civil rights issues. While the School of Law takes a community approach to diversity, Director of Diversity Dr. Artika Tyner is responsible for developing and implementing a variety of initiatives to advance a strategic and holistic approach to diversity in all aspects of student life. These initiatives include promoting multicultural awareness, chairing the Multicultural Affairs Committee, working closely with student organizations in developing multicultural events and programming, and supporting inclusiveness within the larger St. Thomas community. As a Catholic university and the largest private institution of higher learning in Minnesota, the University of St. Thomas has both an extraordinary opportunity and a special responsibility to create and maintain a climate that affirms a diversity of people as well as diversity of views. The School of Law shares this opportunity and responsibility.
Student Perspective
Name: A. Michael DeBolt Undergraduate Institution: University of Minnesota Year in Law School: 2L
Why did you choose the University of St. Thomas School of Law?
I went to a large public university for my undergraduate schooling and wanted a change of pace. I was looking for a smaller community that integrated faith into learning for law school. It was clear from my first visit to UST that it provided me with everything I was hoping for. What are you involved in outside of the classroom?
I am a member of the UST Law Journal, Criminal Law Society and Christian Legal Society, and I am a UST Law Ambassador. I am also a law clerk at the Olmsted County
Attorney’s Office in my hometown of Rochester, Minn. When I’m not learning about the law I am usually doing something related to golf. What makes the UST School of Law a community?
That is something that is easier to experience than explain. When you come to the School of Law, there is an atmosphere that everyone is enjoying themselves and working together. You can talk to the administration, professors, or students, and you will get the same vibe. The competition of law school is present, but everyone is in it for each other’s benefit as well.
Who is your favorite faculty member and why?
Professor Oseid, my professor for Lawyering Skills I and II. She is approachable, respectful, professional and a great instructor of the law. She makes legal writing, something new and intimidating for first year students, a very manageable skill to acquire. It is also easy to tell that she truly cares about the well-being of her students, and I believe she truly embodies the mission of the UST School of Law.
www.stthomas.edu/law
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Campus LOCATED IN DOWNTOWN MINNEAPOLIS, the five-level, 158,000-square-foot University of St. Thomas School of Law building has been described as “breathtaking” by an American Bar Association site visit team and has received rave reviews for its beauty and its impressive design. Classrooms, faculty offices and student spaces are intermingled, a design that encourages interaction and cultivates the unique sense of community found at the School of Law. The four-story Schulze Grand Atrium both welcomes visitors and functions as a large mixing bowl, making informal contact between administrators, faculty, students and staff an everyday occurrence. The atrium also is prime gathering space for a variety of receptions and presentations. It’s not uncommon to see students sitting next to judges, lawyers and elected officials while listening to a speaker at the many 24
University of St. Thomas School of Law
events that take place in the atrium. The Chapel of St. Thomas More is located in the School of Law building and offers Mass five days a week during the fall and spring semesters. The School of Law building is part of St. Thomas’ Minneapolis campus, which is also home to graduate programs of the Opus College of Business and the College of Education, Leadership and Counseling. Students are connected with the St. Paul campus via a free shuttle bus that runs every 20 minutes during the academic year. National Jurist magazine includes the University of St. Thomas School of Law on its list of schools that are
“setting the pace in taking educational technology and communications as far as they can to help law students get a well-rounded education.” That includes modern technology in classrooms, the library, individual and group study areas and the moot courtroom. The School of Law also features wireless networks, computer exam options and a generous computer lab and training center. Food For Thought, a full-service cafeteria, serves the UST Minneapolis campus five days a week and offers custom meals and cook-to-order baskets along with a salad bar and several à la carte options.
The Twin Cities THE TWIN CITIES of Minneapolis and the nearby capital city of St. Paul make up the core of a metropolitan area with more than 3.5 million residents – the 13th largest in the United States. With a highly educated population, a diverse economy, nationally renowned cultural institutions and the beauty of the “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” the Twin Cities area routinely ranks high on lists of the nation’s most livable communities.
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The Twin Cities are home to a vibrant business community that features the Mall of America – the nation’s largest shopping and entertainment complex – as well as 19 of Fortune 500’s largest corporations, including: Target, Best Buy, 3M and UnitedHealth Group. With its location in downtown Minneapolis, the School of Law is in the middle of the region’s lively legal community. The Twin Cities’ bench and bar has embraced the School of Law through the Mentor Externship Program, summer employment opportunities and by participating in a variety of conferences and events.
The Twin Cities area rates highly for its wide range of leisure activities – from an outstanding music and theater scene to a hometown professional team for every flavor of sports fan. For the more active types, there are nearly limitless recreational opportunities to enjoy. The area boasts 949 lakes – 22 lakes within the Minneapolis city limits alone – as well as extensive park systems, miles of bicycle and jogging trails and the beauty of the Mississippi River. In a uniquely Minnesotan way to deal with winter weather, downtown Minneapolis and St. Thomas’ Minneapolis campus are connected via a skyway system that is unmatched by any North American city. The skyway system includes 84 enclosed bridges that connect downtown buildings on the second level. Walking from one end of the system to the other, you can cover eight miles and pass hundreds of stores, dozens of restaurants and coffee shops, more than 1,500 apartments and condominiums and almost 200 million square feet of office space.
Target Field, home of the Minnesota Twins baseball team, is just a few blocks from the School of Law in downtown Minneapolis
A Diverse Twin Cities • The Twin Cities has the largest Somali and Hmong communities in the U.S. • Minneapolis’ Philips neighborhood is one of the nation’s most diverse, home to more than 100 ethnic groups. • Of the 3 million Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area residents, 30 percent are from a diverse racial or ethnic group. National Recognition Every year the Twin Cities are recognized nationally for a variety of reasons. Here are just a few recent rankings: • In 2013 ZipRealty ranked the Twin Cities the best place to raise a family. • The Twin Cities has been rated the most healthy and fit metro for the third year in a row, according to American Fitness Index. • According to the Real Age Test, the Twin Cities is one of the youngest (in spirit) metros in the country (No. 6). • Minneapolis was ranked one of the “Hottest Travel Destinations of 2013” by Travel + Leisure. • The Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area is the nation’s third best market according to Forbes magazine’s America’s Best Cities for Young Professionals 2010 survey. • Minneapolis-St. Paul has been ranked the top metro area in the nation for volunteering four years straight by the Corporation for National and Community Service. • The League of American Bicyclists ranked Minnesota No. 4 on the list of bike friendly states. • Men’s Journal magazine named Minneapolis one of the “Best Places to Live in 2010.” • Nerd Wallet ranked the Twin Cities the sixth best sports town in America. • Minneapolis ranked fourth in Best U.S. Cities for Affordable Getaways. • Travel + Leisure said Target Field is one of the best in stadium food in 2013. • Minneapolis is the sixth best “ecocity” in the world according to Mercer’s 2010 Quality of Living Worldwide survey. • Portfolio.com rated the Minneapolis area third in its 2010 Quality of Life report. www.stthomas.edu/law
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Career and Professional Development UST LAW understands that every student’s professional journey is unique. In a variety of ways, the Law School’s Career and Professional Development (CPD) team supports law students as they build skills and strategies to help them achieve professional success. Career and Professional Development programs and services are designed to help students prepare for and take charge of their careers. While no one can promise any specific job or income, the CPD team serves to walk with students each step of the way, from their first day of law school, across the graduation stage, into their first job, and beyond. The commitment of the Office of Career and Professional Development is to partner with students to make sure they have the skills, experience, and relationships to obtain gratifying work in whatever practice area or occupation they choose. Here are some of the ways the Office of Career and Professional Development support students: ■■
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Work one-on-one with students to create a customized career plan that fits their talents, interests, passions, and goals. Connect students with opportunities for employment and professional growth through our extraordinary alumni network, special guests and friends of the law school, and our strong employer connections. We are consistently out in the legal community building relationships
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with employers of all types, and we are happy to put those relationships to work on our students’ behalf. Help students polish their professional image through resume and cover letter review, mock interviews, and dozens of programming options each year so students can put their best foot forward when they are meeting with prospective employers. Throughout the year, CPD offers extensive programming and a bank of current job postings to help students find their place in the legal profession. At St. Thomas, students can participate in on-campus interviews with dozens of employers, public interest career fairs and conferences, and multicultural hiring programs. No matter what their career aspirations are, we are eager to help all students achieve their professional goals.
Employers nationwide embrace UST Law students and graduates. When meeting with St. Thomas students and alumni, employers know they are speaking with individuals who are prepared academically and professionally to excel in the practice of law. While the majority of UST Law alumni choose to live and practice in Minnesota, St. Thomas alumni practice in nearly all 50 states and around the world. Everywhere UST Law alumni work, they are building our reputation among judges, fellow lawyers, managing partners, and others who encounter them.
UST Law alumni are doing amazing things in the profession, in their communities and in the world. The 2012 graduates are working in a variety of areas across the country, including: the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals; the Minnesota Court of Appeals; the U. S. Army JAG Corps; the U.S. Department of Justice Executive Office for Immigration Review; and the Minneapolis Department of Human Rights. Still other 2012 graduates are employed with organizations such as: the Catholic Community Foundation; public defender offices in Minnesota and Arizona; county attorney offices throughout Minnesota; Cargill; Target Corp.; Wells Fargo & Company; both large and small firms; nonprofit agencies; and a variety of other interesting places based on their individual goals and interests. (Check out the extensive list of places School of Law graduates have worked on the facing page.) Students will ultimately choose the career paths that best fit their talents and interests, but because there are so many services and opportunities available through the UST Law’s Office of Career and Professional Development, they always will have a place to turn for support.
Career development support: During the 2012-2013 academic year, the Office of Career and Professional Development conducted over 600 in-person counseling sessions, over 1,800 e-counseling sessions, and sponsored 33 programs.
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University of St. Thomas School of Law
A Selection of Class of 2012 Employers: Public Interest
Private Practice
• Maricopa County Arizona Public Defender’s Office • Dakota County Public Defender’s Office • Catholic Community Foundation • The Center for Girls’ Leadership • League of Minnesota Cities
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Faegre & Benson Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi Fredrikson & Byron Leonard, Street & Deinard Lindquist & Vennum Nichols Kaster
Type of Employment Class of 2012 UST Law grads are represented in many areas of law.
Business & Industry 33%
Businesses Government
• Minneapolis Department of Human Rights • Hennepin County Attorney’s Office • Pine County Attorney’s Office • St. Louis County Attorney’s Office • Navy Judge Advocate’s Group • U.S. Army JAG Corp • U.S. Department of Justice Executive Office for Immigration Review
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Target Corporation Wells Fargo & Company Price Waterhouse Coopers Cargill, Incorporated UnitedHealth Group U.S. Bank Thomson Reuters/Find Law
Judicial Clerkships
• 11th Circuit Court of Appeals • Minnesota Court of Appeals • Minnesota State District Courts
Judicial Clerkship 13%
Private Practice 38%
Government 10% Academic 3% Public Interest 3%
The most current employment statistics can be found at: www.stthomas.edu/law/currentstudents/ careerandprofessionaldevelopment/ 2012employmentstatistics/
Robert Parish ’04, Corporate Finance Executive, Feltl and Company
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Alumni UNIVERSITY OF ST. THOMAS School of Law graduates are shining examples of what is good and right with the legal profession. The School of Law applauds and supports their work as respected members of the legal community and appreciates their continued relationship with the School of Law. Perhaps the best indicator of the strength of the student experience at UST is our nationally record-setting number of graduates who participate in annual giving. Like other schools, we use annual giving participation as a barometer of satisfaction, commitment to the community and ongoing support for our unique mission. Each participant represents a vote of confidence for our faculty, staff, mission and programs. In 2013, the School of Law recorded an inspiring 52 percent alumni participation in the annual giving campaign. St. Thomas has yet to identify another American Bar Association-accredited law school that
has attained the same level of alumni participation in the last 10 years. The School of Law alumni community now includes nearly 1,350 graduates who live, work and make a difference in nearly 40 states and six foreign countries. Our graduates serve as administrative law judges, in-house counsel, public defenders, state and federal prosecutors, legal counsel for nonprofits, and partners in law firms. As a graduate of the School of Law, you also will be a graduate of the University of St. Thomas, a regional institution with an impeccable reputation for excellence. The network of over 70,000 St. Thomas alumni that you will join upon law school graduation is a diverse, active, well-connected network that stands ready to assist you as you begin your law career. School of Law graduates stay actively involved with the school. Many alumni mentor students, coach moot Alumni Dani Haag, Christopher Nelson and Maggie Green, co-chairs of the annual giving campaign in 2012-13
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court teams, speak in classrooms, serve as admissions liaisons and help with networking and other career services activities. Alumni also volunteer alongside faculty, staff and students twice a year during public service days, or through the Minnesota Justice Foundation. The Alumni Association sponsors events ranging from service projects and seminars to Twins games and Christmas parties and communicates with alumni through a monthly e-newsletter and a semiannual magazine, St. Thomas Lawyer, as well as online networks on Facebook and LinkedIn. In order to connect School of Law alumni with individuals and communities who need their gifts and talents, the Alumni Relations Office created a business development tool: UST Law Lawyer Search (www. stthomas.edu/law/lawyersearch). Through Lawyer Search, alumni can market their services by posting information about their practice areas, and the public can search for a UST Law professional to meet community and legal needs. UST law graduates will join an innovative group of individuals who began establishing their professional identities on a platform of excellence, social responsibility and ethical integrity. The School of Law’s alumni have established a tradition of commitment to integrating their personal and professional values in the search for justice. The decision to join the School of Law community will pay dividends in life – not just during law school, but long past graduation.
A national leader in alumni support for 10 consecutive years, UST Law achieved a top spot in the nation for the percentage of living alumni contributing to the annual giving campaign.
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University of St. Thomas School of Law
Alumni Perspective
Name: Heather McElroy Graduating Class: 2004 Employer: Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P.
Why did you choose the University of St. Thomas School of Law?
St. Thomas was one of the few schools that provided a vision of what type of lawyer I could be – one that gave great weight to ethical considerations, made decisions with justice in mind, and highly valued practicing in the public interest sector. This missionoriented approach resonated with me. How did UST prepare you for your current job?
I think the best preparation I received was through the legal research, writing and advocacy program. Compared to many of my colleagues, I came into a large firm a step ahead in terms of my legal writing and research ability.
So much of a junior associate’s role in a large firm consists of drafting legal research memos for partners and clients and drafting discovery motions. St. Thomas prepared me well for that. Do you keep in touch with members of the UST community?
Yes. I met some of my closest friends at UST and am so grateful for those relationships. I also stay active in the School of Law community by attending alumni events, assisting in recruiting activities and participating on alumni board committees.
What makes the UST School of Law a community?
Each student, professor or staff member is drawn to the School of Law by some aspect of its mission, whether the emphasis is on faith, reason, social justice or a combination of all three. The shared strength of that draw to an ideal creates a community, diverse in nature, but committed to creating a new type of lawyer. What is the best advice you can give an incoming student to the School of Law?
Commit. Work really hard; invest time and energy into building relationships; make UST your community. You only get to do it once, so make it worth it. www.stthomas.edu/law
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Admissions THE UST LAW ADMISSIONS COMMITTEE thoroughly reviews every application to understand the strengths, skills and unique potential of each prospective student. Of course, a sound academic record – undergraduate history and LSAT score – is also important. In addition to academics, the committee will carefully examine an applicant’s personal statement and letters of recommendation, in which the committee will look for evidence of writing skills, leadership experience and potential, service to the community and commitment to the mission of the School of Law. All information submitted is considered, and the admissions committee encourages applicants to be thorough and straightforward, as it wants to ensure the University of St. Thomas School of Law is a good fit for you, and you are a good fit for the School of Law.
Application Checklist • Completed, signed application • Personal statement • C ompleted Credential Assembly Service (CAS) file from the Law School Admission Council, which includes:
– A reportable LSAT score – At least two letters of recommendation – A copy of all transcripts from post-secondary institutions
No specific undergraduate discipline is required, but applicants must have completed or be on track to complete their undergraduate studies prior to enrollment. Complete admissions applications for the 2014-2015 academic year must be submitted by July 1, 2014, but with a rolling admission process, you are encouraged to apply as early as possible. The committee prefers not to consider LSAT scores more than three years old and will not consider a score more than five years old. If you have questions about the admissions process or would like to schedule a visit, a virtual appointment or a tour, contact the Office of Admissions. Financing Your Legal Education
UST Law is committed to making high quality legal education available to students by offering several forms of financial assistance, including scholarships, employment and student loans. Last year, almost 90 percent of our student body received either scholarship funding or loans to help them finance their legal educations. Just a block from the School of Law, a farmer’s market offers seasonal fresh produce and flowers. 30
University of St. Thomas School of Law
The Admissions Committee will automatically consider you for a scholarship when you apply. No separate application is necessary. Scholarships are automatically renewed each year provided you remain in good academic standing. The School of Law’s Loan Repayment Assistance Program allows students to pursue careers in public interest law that may otherwise be financially impossible. The program provides assistance to our graduates who are employed in public service work and also funds fellowships for recent graduates who work in the Interprofessional Center for Counseling and Legal Services. Tuition and Costs 2014-2015 (estimated)
$38,936 (based on a load of 31 credits) $191 technology fee $130 student fee Estimated expense allowances for books and supplies, transportation and living expense for nine months: $19,928
Email Us!
Engage with Us The viewbook may have given you a small peek at the University of St. Thomas School of Law, but the best way to understand and appreciate our unique community is to experience it firsthand. The School of Law offers a variety of engagement opportunities online and in person when visiting Minneapolis The UST Law admissions team (l. to r.): Holly Noble, Cari Haaland and Grace Magill-Cuerden
IN-PERSON Campus Visits Please contact our office if you are interested in visiting campus to meet with an admissions representative, taking a tour of the School of Law, observing a class, or talking with a current student. Open Houses These half-day events allow prospective students to spend time learning more about the University of St. Thomas School of Law inside the building. Prospective students will hear from faculty, staff and students about what it’s like to be a UST Law student. Please view the Law School’s recruitment calendar for upcoming events and open houses.
lawschool@stthomas.edu or (651) 962-4895
www.stthomas.edu/law/admissions/visit
ONLINE RESOURCES Skype Appointments Meet admissions professionals, current students and administrators via Skype to learn more about the application process, career services, faculty, student life, areas of study, and more. Admissions Blog Learn more about Life at UST Law by visiting our blog where students, faculty and staff write about their experiences at the University of St. Thomas. Student Groups The School of Law’s student groups span every interest, from cultures to careers. Explore them all at UST Law. Twitter Follow us on Twitter: @USTLawMN. Facebook Join our “UST School of Law” Facebook page for UST Law news and admissions related events. YouTube Watch videos of our professors and students on the “UST Law” YouTube channel.
Skype Name: ustlaw
blogs.stthomas.edu/lawadmissions
www.stthomas.edu/law/currentstudents/ opportunitiesforinvolvement
USTLawMN
www.facebook.com/USTSchoolofLaw
www.youtube.com/user/UniversityofStThomas
www.stthomas.edu/law
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University of St. Thomas School of Law 1000 LaSalle Ave., MSL 124 Minneapolis, MN 55403-2015 lawschool@stthomas.edu www.stthomas.edu/law (651) 962-4895; (800) 328-6819, Ext. 2-4895
The University of St. Thomas (UST) is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity and equal educational opportunity. UST does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, membership or activity in a local commission, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. The university’s policy of non-discrimination extends to all aspects of its operations, including but not limited to, employment, educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and all other educational programs and activities. 32 University of St. Thomas School of Law SOL018814