Lizzy Beghelli was promoted to executive director of Minnesota Law’s newly renamed Office of Alumni & External Engagement. She leads the office’s external engagement strategy and the annual giving, alumni relations, and stewardship programs. She previously served as senior director of alumni relations and annual giving. During her decade at Minnesota Law, she has launched the successful Mornings at Mondale monthly CLEs, advanced the alumni reunion and annual giving programs, initiated the Student Philanthropy Board, expanded Spring Alumni Week and Gopher Gratitude Day, and broadened affinity programming, including the GOLD Council and international alumni offerings. Beghelli earned a B.A. from the University of Northwestern–St. Paul and an M.A. in Italian studies from Ohio State University.
Sam Buisman ’25 was appointed this fall as the Clemency Project Clinic’s inaugural Hassan & Nazie Nemazee Fellow. He previously clerked for the Honorable Kevin Ross of the Minnesota Court of Appeals, worked for the Minnesota Board of Public Defense, and was the clinic’s student director. Buisman earned his B.A. from the University of Wisconsin- Madison and his J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School. Between the two degrees, he served in AmeriCorps at Covenant House Alaska, a crisis shelter for young people ages 13-24 experiencing homelessness or human trafficking.
Lyle Cherneff was hired this fall as a visiting assistant professor of law for a three-year term. He studies the historical development of civil procedure and constitutional law, emphasizing the contributions of unofficial actors and past social movements. Before joining Minnesota Law, Cherneff was a Liman Legal Fellow at the Legal Rights Center in Minneapolis. He clerked for the Honorable Jeffrey M. Bryan at the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota. Cherneff received his J.D. from Yale Law School, where he was awarded the Israel H. Peres Prize for best student contribution to the Yale Law Journal, and his A.B. with honors from Brown University.
Katie Kuehl was hired as the associate registrar on the student affairs team this fall. She previously worked at Mitchell Hamline School of Law, where she served as registrar for five years. Kuehl earned an M.S. in college student affairs from Nova Southeastern University, with a concentration in conflict analysis and resolution. In her role at the Law School, she leads registrar work, including overseeing student records, implementing strategic processes to increase efficiency and transparency, and advising students.
Veronica Tobar Thronson joined Minnesota Law as a visiting clinical professor of law for the 2026-27 academic year. She directs the Immigration and Human Rights Clinic, which is part of the James H. Binger Center for New Americans. Previously, Thronson directed the Immigration Law Clinic at Michigan State University College of Law and the Center for Immigrants’ Rights Clinic at Penn State Law. Her extensive experience includes representing immigrants and survivors of domestic violence, training attorneys and judges, and advancing immigrant rights through teaching, advocacy, and public service. Her honors include the Pennsylvania Immigration Resource Center’s 2024 Light of Liberty Attorney of the Year award and the State Bar of Michigan’s 2023 Champion of Justice award. Thronson earned her J.D. from the City University of New York School of Law.
Monica Wittstock was promoted to chief communications officer. In this role, she leads strategic communications and public relations for the Law School, serves as editorin- chief of Minnesota Law magazine, and leades the communications team. She previously served as director of communications at Minnesota Law. She holds a B.A. and an M.A. in strategic communication, both from the University of Minnesota.
