News
Rising 3L Erik Beitzel named 2013 CJP 'Student Service Learning Award' recipient
Second year law student Erik Beitzel, a certified student attorney with the UST Law Community Justice Project, was recently announced the recipient of the program’s 2013 Student Service Learning Award. Read More
University of St. Thomas School of Law announces new scholarship at the 2013 Mission Awards
Each year, the University of St. Thomas School of Law presents mission awards to faculty, staff, students and alumni for their contributions to the school’s mission. This year’s winners were announced at a lunchtime ceremony on April 15. Read More
Faculty recognized in the Roger Williams Study
The University of St. Thomas School of Law recently ranked third in a study measuring faculty productivity. Roger Williams University School of Law conducted the study in order to measure the per capita productivity of faculty in schools that are ranked outside the US News Top 50 rankings. Read More
‘Fifty States Under God’ is theme for JLPP Spring Symposium
How should constitutional scholars view the concept of religious liberty through the prism of the various state constitutions as they relate to the modern day? A handful of experts in the field of constitutional law and religious liberty will attempt to tackle that question as they gather Friday, April 19 at the UST Law Journal of Law and Public Policy’s Spring Symposium. Read More
Law Journal Symposium to tackle intersection of religious thought and intellectual property law in the 21st century
This spring a diverse group of legal, bioethics and religious scholars and entrepreneurs in the intellectual property industry will converge on the University of St. Thomas School of Law campus to present and discuss their views on a topic event organizers believe is cutting edge in an increasingly globalized and technological world – how might religious thought contribute to the substance and practice of Intellectual Property law? Read More
Wesley Smith receives the Champion for Youth Award
The University of St. Thomas School of Law’s Community Justice Project is presenting its annual symposium on March 20, 2013, entitled: “How Are the Children? Part VI: Re-Imagining Public Education in Minnesota.” It will bring together community leaders, social workers, educators, and others within the juvenile justice field to discuss their experiences concerning racial and socioeconomic equity in education and develop strategies to improve these conditions as our society moves forward Read More
Law Journal Symposium to tackle intersection of religious thought and intellectual property law in the 21st century
The 2013 UST Law Journal Symposium will take place Friday, April 5 and is co-sponsored by the Terrence Murphy Catholic Thought, Law and Public Policy. The event aims to tackle the topic of how religious thought can impact the evolution and understanding of intellectual property law. Read More
Nichols book on First Amendment religion clauses is translated into Chinese
A book on the First Amendment religion clauses recently co-authored by Prof. Joel Nichols has been translated for a whole new audience – law school students in China. Read More
Tyner featured in 2013 Minnesota African American Heritage Calendar
Director of Diversity and Clinical Law Faculty Dr. Artika Tyner has been honored with inclusion in the 2013 Minnesota African American Heritage Calendar. For the seventh year, the Minnesota African American Heritage Calendar Award Committee a part of the PROCEED Foundation has produced this calendar to showcase the accomplishments of African Americans with roots in Minnesota. Read More
CNN article by Jeanne Bishop has St. Thomas ties
Jeanne Bishop, assistant public defender in the Office of the Cook County Public Defender has been a guest at the University of St. Thomas School of Law several times, and has been a key member of the team Professor Mark Osler put together to present “The Trial of Christ” across the country. Bishop and Osler have also worked together in other venues on a subject they agree on, the elimination of the death penalty. But in August 2011, Osler and Bishop debated the issue of juvenile life without parole on opposite sides before the incoming class. Read More
Professor Reid makes an impact in Italy
Professor Charles Reid’s recent piece in the Huffington Post is making waves internationally. Reid, who is a frequent contributor to the Huffington Post contributed “The American Catholic Church and Roe v. Wade” last week. The post was referenced by several blog posts and articles immediately. Now, the Italian daily newspaper La Stampa has quoted the article extensively in the piece, “Stati Uniti, cambia la strategia per una cultura della vita,” translated into English, as “Changing the Strategy For the Culture of Life.” The piece can be found here. Published in Turin, La Stampa is one of Italy’s most influential newspapers reaching readers across Europe. In his article, Reid suggests that Pro-Life Catholics should rethink their traditional alliance with the Republican party, and political ideology in general. The La Stampa article suggests that Reid’s ideas may be a way forward in the abortion debate. Read More
Michigan Supreme Court cites Carpenter's Scholarship
University of St. Thomas School of Law professor Ben Carpenter was recently recognized by the Michigan Supreme Court, who cited his article on posthumous conception. Carpenter's article, "A Chip Off the Old Iceblock: How Cryopreservation Has Changed Estate Law, Why Attempts to Address the Issue Have Fallen Short, and How to Fix It," addresses the legislative evolution of posthumous conception. Read More
Prolife Center kicks off three part lecture series on January 8
The Prolife Center at the University of St. Thomas kicks off a three lecture series “Defending Life in 2013” on Tuesday, January 8 at 7 p.m. in the Schulze Auditorium in the Opus College of Business in downtown Minneapolis. The event is free and open to the public. Read More
National Jurist names Organ to list “Most Influential People in Legal Education”
Professor Organ is cited for his work calling attention to scholarship practices which led to first year students not being able to retain their scholarships throughout their time in law school. Read More
Nekima Levy-Pounds receives “Profiles in Courage Award” from Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers (MABL)
University of St. Thomas School of Law Associate Professor Nekima Levy-Pounds has received the Profiles in Courage Award from the Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers. MABL bestows the Profiles in Courage Award annually on an individual or entity that has demonstrated the highest level of courage, excellence and integrity in furthering the organization's mission of representing the interests of Black citizens in the legal profession and in the judicial system. Read More
Nov. 30 JLPP Symposium to tackle tensions over homeschooling law
Homeschooling may be an afterthought for many, particularly for the majority of Americans who are educated in the public school system. But according to experts its popularity is actually resurgent. As a result – tensions continue to arise between parental autonomy on one side and state and federal compulsory education regulations on the other – the children are left in the middle. Read More
Wiebe continues work against cluster munitions
Virgil Wiebe, UST Law professor and Director of Clinical Education, recently represented the community on an international scale by testifying before the Canadian Senate regarding their implementation of legislation of the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM). Read More
Three UST law faculty participate in religious liberties conference in San Diego
Professors Tom Berg and Michael Paulsen and Dean Robert Vischer were among a group of 30 religious liberties scholars invited to participate in the University of San Diego School of Law’s Institute for Law and Philosophy conference on “Freedom of the Church in the Modern Era.” Read More
Michael Lawyer ('09) nominated as a rising star in federal government
Michael Lawyer ('09), a Program Analyst for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, was nominated by FedScoop as an "Up & Comer." Read More
Vischer appointed dean of the School of Law
Robert Vischer, associate dean for academic affairs and professor of law at the University of St. Thomas School of Law, will become the new dean of the school, it was announced Thursday. Read More
Recent graduate's nonprofit granted tax exempt status
Recent Graduate's Nonprofit Granted Tax Exempt Status Read More
The Politics of Purple: Pair of legal scholars of different faiths to discuss “The Dangers of Anti-Sharia Laws” at Oct. 23 Murphy Institute event
Editors's Note: The Politics of Purple In the next month, there will be a lot of debate about red states and blue states, and a lot of the attention will be on states that are purple, places where they say the numbers are too close to call. However, unlike the pundits who are waiting for the states to turn either red or blue, at the University of St. Thomas School of Law we embrace the nuance and complexity of purple. The following story is the third in a four-part Politics of Purple series. Read More
Politics of Purple: How one student organization focuses on dialogue, not partisanship
With the presidential election next month, political tempers are beginning to flare. Not that this is unusual. In fact, the nature of America’s democratic system encourages all parties to debate. Nevertheless, the 2012 election has become especially contentious. Some critics argue that issues of public policy are lost in the shuffle of such divisive party affiliations. Read More
School of Law once again makes Princeton Review’s Top 10 for “Best Quality of Life”
The University of St. Thomas School of Law has again been recognized by the Princeton Review, returning to the top ten in the category of “Best Quality of Life.” The School of Law has made the top ten in this category for six of the last seven years. Last year the school was named to the top ten for having the “Best Professors.” Read More
The Politics of Purple: Faculty debate, dialogue, and model how to disagree
Editors's Note: The Politics of Purple In the next month, there will be a lot of debate about red states and blue states, and a lot of the attention will be on states that are purple, places where they say the numbers are too close to call. However, unlike the pundits who are waiting for the states to turn either red or blue, at the University of St. Thomas School of Law we embrace the nuance and complexity of purple. The Politics of Purple is a four-part series showing how the School of Law fosters political debate that defies easy sound bites and resists polarizing caricatures. In the series we hope to model and demonstrate how members of the law school community who are on opposite sides of controversial issues can disagree without being disagreeable, learning from each other and enriching our political culture in the process. Read More
Law Journal to ask the question “Managing Expectations: Does the Directors’ Duty to Monitor Promise More than it Can Deliver?”
Lisa Fairfax, the Leroy Sorenson Merrifield Research Professor of Law and Director of Conference Programs at George Washington Law will present "Managing Expectations: Does the Directors’ Duty to Monitor Promise More than it Can Deliver?" on Monday, Oct. 22 at 5 p.m. in the Frey Moot Courtroom at the University of St. Thomas School of Law in downtown Minneapolis. Read More
UST Law moves up to 30th in Sisk’s latest ‘scholarly impact’ study
Prof. Greg Sisk and a team of UST Law research librarians recently published an updated version of a 2010 scholarly impact study that ranks the top third of the nation’s ABA-accredited law schools in the area of scholarly contribution from faculty that has garnered attention from media and the law school community. Read More
Brotherhood, Inc. finishes second in 2012 Mosaic Social Entrepreneurs Cup
Brotherhood, Inc., co-founded by students and faculty in the Community Justice Project at the University of St. Thomas School of Law, was the first runner-up in the 2012 Mosaic Social Entrepreneurs Cup competition. According to the Mosaic website, the competition is designed to “seek out, celebrate, and promote Minnesota’s most innovative and effective social entrepreneurs and the organizations they lead.” Brotherhood, Inc. was developed to create a pathway out of poverty for young African American males, ages 16-24, who have been involved in the criminal justice system or gangs or who are at risk of such involvement. Participants in the program receive life skills training, case management, educational support, and in house employment opportunities through a social enterprise called Brotherhood Brew Coffee. Read More
Annual LSSE data shows high student satisfaction at the School of Law
Professor Jerry Organ knows the University of St. Thomas School of Law is a great school. Now he has results from the 2012 Law School Survey on Student Engagement (LSSSE) to prove it. Read More
School of Law selects four finalist candidates for next dean
The dean search committee at the University of St. Thomas School of Law (Minnesota) is pleased to announce four distinguished finalist candidates for the law school's deanship. Read More
University of St. Thomas School of law welcomes the Class of 2015
The University of St. Thomas School of Law welcomed the class of 2015 on Monday, August 20. The students have completed their first week on campus, and are joined by returning second and third year students today. Read More
Widener Law's annual Pileggi Lecture will feature Lyman Johnson as keynote
School of Law Professor Lyman Johnson was recently invited by the Delaware Journal of Corporate Law to deliver a keynote lecture for the 28th annual Francis G. Pileggi Lecture at the Widener University School of Law (Wilmington, Del.). The event will take place Nov. 9. Read More
Law Journal and Holloran Center team up for symposium on “Empirical Professional Ethics”
Eleven faculty representing seven different law schools and academic research institutions from around the country will gather Saturday, Sept. 22 at the University of St. Thomas School of Law to share their empirical research concerning professionalism, ethical professional identity, law firm or department ethical culture, rules compliance, preventive law and risk management, and the nature of competition and cooperation in legal education. Read More
Sisk's study on Establishment Clause jurisprudence cited in Seventh Circuit case
A 2012 empirical study co-authored by School of Law Prof. Greg Sisk on Establishment Clause jurisprudence was recently cited in the dissenting opinion of one of most influential federal appellate court judges in the country. Read More
Mid-day retreats give students, staff and alumni opportunity to take a break for faith
A new season of retreats, reflections and dialogues includes “Learning to Forgive,” “Remembering Vatican II” and “Perspectives on Heaven, Hell and Purgatory” Read More
Super Lawyers Named Thirty University of St. Thomas School of Law Graduates as "Rising Stars"
The University is pleased to announce that 30 University of St. Thomas School of Law graduates were recognized by Super Lawyers as "Rising Stars" in Minnesota. Read More
Minnesota Lawyer names Sharon Roberg-Perez ('05) as an Up & Coming Attorney
Sharon E. Roberg-Perez (’05), an Associate at Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P., was named by Minnesota Lawyer as one of this year’s Up & Coming Attorneys. Read More
Holloran Center joins with "Educating Tomorrow's Lawyers"
School of Law professor and Associate Director of the Holloran Center for Ethical Leadership Jerry Organ will represent the School of Law this September by presenting at the “Educating Tomorrow’s Lawyers” conference in Denver, Colorado. Organ will present his research on professional formation and tools for developing an ethical professional identity. Dean Neil Hamilton and Dr. Verna Monson will also participate. Read More
CJP's Brotherhood project selected as Mosaic finalist
A University of St. Thomas group, Brotherhood, Inc., has been selected as a finalist for the 2012 Mosaic Social Entrepreneurs Cup competition. According to the Mosaic website, the competition is designed to “seek out, celebrate, and promote Minnesota’s most innovative and effective social entrepreneurs and the organizations they lead.” Brotherhood, Inc. is a division of the Community Justice Project at the Interprofessional Center for Counseling & Legal Services. Read More
Prayer service planned at noon Tuesday for law student injured in Rome
A service to pray for the recovery of a University of St. Thomas School of Law student who was seriously injured in Rome will be held at noon Tuesday, July 3, in the Chapel of St. Thomas More in the School of Law building on St. Thomas’ downtown Minneapolis campus, 1000 LaSalle Ave. All are welcome to attend the service. Read More
Brodin receives MSBA's President's Award
The Minnesota State Bar Association honored University of St. Thomas School of Law Director of Career and Professional Development Kendra Brodin with the President’s Award at its annual meeting on June 22, 2012. Brodin received the award for her work as the founding chairperson of Committee 36. Read More
The University of St. Thomas honored by Kaposia, Inc
The University of St. Thomas was recently honored by Kaposia, Inc., a Twin Cities Employment and Alternative Service provider, with their One Step Ahead Award. St. Thomas has two individuals from Kaposia employed by the Law School and the College of Applied Professional Studies. Read More
Nichols, Wiebe receive promotions to rank of full professor at School of Law
Virgil Wiebe and Joel Nichols have both been noted for their achievements in the classroom and scholarship and their service to the community at-large, said Dean Thomas Mengler. Read More
Religious Liberty CLE to be held at the University of St. Thomas School of Law
On Thursday, June 28 the Prolife Center at the University of St. Thomas and the Minnesota Catholic Conference will hold a CLE, “Religious Liberty, Conscience Rights, and Participation of Faith Communities in the Public Square”. The event, a day-long program begins at 8:30 a.m. and runs until 5 p.m. The conference will focus on exploring the protections afforded religious liberty by the law. Many of these topics will be at the forefront of public debate in coming months as the fall election season looms. Read More
The Interprofessional Center for Counseling and Legal Services will offer two new clinics in the 2012-2013 academic year
The University of St. Thomas School of Law will expand clinic offerings again in the fall of 2012 with two new clinics. The clinics are in the areas of bankruptcy litigation and nonprofit organizations. Read More
School of Law faculty recognized for scholarly excellence and impact
The University of St. Thomas School of Law ranked second in a study measuring faculty productivity based on publications in top law journals. The study, conducted by faculty at the Roger Williams Law School, focuses on law schools ranked outside of the U.S. News and World Report top 50. Read More
Neil Hamilton named interim dean at the School of Law
Neil Hamilton, professor in the University of St. Thomas School of Law and founding director of its Thomas Holloran Center for Ethical Leadership in the Professions, has been named interim dean of the law school. He will begin the position next month with the departure of Thomas Mengler, who will become president of St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas.. Read More
Collett maintains busy schedule in the spring
As the country buzzes with talk of abortion regulations, contraception access, and gay marriage, University of Saint Thomas School of Law Professor Teresa Collett is leading the discussion and making headlines. Nationally known for her work as an appellate lawyer and her pro-life, pro-family advocacy in political circles, Collett’s work as a legal scholar here in the Twin Cities is providing a framework for law students to engage these difficult and controversial topics. Read More
International Parental Child Abduction: Essential Principles of The Hague Convention, by Allison Maxim ('05) is the cover story of the April 2012 Bench & Bar of Minnesota.
Allison Maxim ('05), a family law attorney at Walling, Berg & Debele, P.A., in Minneapolis, is the author of this month's Bench & Bar of Minnesota cover story titled "International Parental Child Abduction: Essential Principles of The Hague Convention." Read More
3L Campion wins University Advocates for Women and Equity award
Current law student Alexandra Campion was one of four winners of three awards presented by the University Advocates for Women and Equity. The awards won by the four were created to honor women on campus, or to honor scholarship or creative work on concerns related to women. Read More
“Trial of Christ” Challenges Audiences to Consider Mercy in Death Penalty States
Justice and mercy are always held in tension according to former federal prosecutor, and current University of St. Thomas School of Law Professor Mark Osler. This perspective stems from his first hand experience with areas of law where there is no mercy, such as federal crack/cocaine sentencing and the death penalty. But as a man of faith, Osler has also witnessed the power of redemption, and is working to give the condemned that life-saving second chance. Read More
Law School Presents "Mission Awards"
Each year the University of St. Thomas School of Law presents mission awards to faculty, staff, students and alumni for their contributions to the mission of the School of Law. This year’s winners were announced at a lunchtime ceremony on March 26. Read More
An Open Letter to Bob Morse from Dean Mengler
Dean Mengler has written an open letter to Bob Morse at U.S. News which is posted here. The letter is in response to U.S. News publishing an inaccurate employment at graduation statistic for the UST Class of 2010. On Friday, March 23 U.S. News announced in the "Morse Code" blog that they would "unrank" the School of Law. Read More
Twin Cities Daily Planet covers "How are the children"
The Twin Cities Daily Planet newspaper was on hand for the fifth annual "How Are The Children" conference held at the University of St. Thomas on Wednesday, March 20. In the article "They are children who made a mistake: Conference explores Minnesota's school to prison pipeline" the conference and the impact of the Community Justice Project are discussed. Read More
Law Journal Announces 2012-2013 membership
The University of St. Thomas School of Law Journal has announced the recently-selected members of the 2012-2013 editorial board for the University of St .Thomas Law Journal. Read More
Correction to U.S. News rankings data
It has come to our attention that U.S. News published an inaccurate employment at graduation statistic for the UST Class of 2010. On line 169 of our Class of 2010 U.S. News Employment data report, the number of graduates known to be employed at graduation is correctly listed as 51 graduates (or 32.9% of our 155 total number of 2010 graduates). Unfortunately, on line 164 of the report, we incorrectly listed 125 graduates (or 80.6%) as employed at graduation. U.S. News listed that incorrect number in its law school rankings, released earlier today. We have contacted U.S. News to alert them to the error. The nine month graduation rate of 86.5% is correct in the rankings Read More
Dean search proceeds
As it chooses a new dean, the law school is pursuing its vision for the future, building on its remarkable success during the 10-year deanship of Tom Mengler. We seek a distinguished legal scholar or member of the legal profession who has a commitment to academic excellence, a strong affinity for the school’s Catholic mission, an ability to articulate an inspiring vision for the school’s future, and demonstrated qualities of leadership. Read More
Fr. Dan Griffith joins law school as Faculty Fellow of Law
Associate Dean of Academic Affairs Robert Vischer has announced that Father Dan Griffith will join the School of Law community in January, 2012. Fr. Griffith will serve as Distinguished Service faculty, an appointment he received from the University of St. Thomas. In his first semester at the School of Law, Fr. Griffith will offer a course on Catholic social teaching and the law. The course will equip students to analyze and critique current issues of law and public policy through the lens offered by Catholic social teaching. Read More
Thomas Mengler named president of St. Mary’s University in Texas
Thomas Mengler, dean of the University of St. Thomas School of Law for the past 10 years, on Friday was named president of St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas. The appointment is effective June 1. Read More
Mengler and Hamilton honored for “Outstanding Service to the Profession”
Minnesota Lawyer has named University of St. Thomas School of Law faculty Thomas M. Mengler and Neil Hamilton recipients of the “Outstanding Service to the Profession” award. Dean and Ryan Chair in Law Mengler and Professor and Director of the Holloran Center for Ethical Leadership in the Professions Hamilton will be presented at a ceremony on February 3, 2012. Read More