Stuart Levesque ’26 is from Minnetonka, Minnesota. He attended the University of Minnesota for undergrad and is a proud double Gopher. This past summer, Levesque worked as a research assistant for Professor Jane Kirtley and as an intern at the Workers Compensation Court of Appeals with Judge Kathryn Carlson.
Congratulations on being named the next editor-in-chief (EIC) for volume 110 of Minnesota Law Review! What are you most excited about?
Specifically, I’m most excited to call our new staffers after the petition process wraps up to offer them spots on the journal. There are few greater joys in life than giving good news. Generally, I’m most excited to share this experience with my fellow editors and department heads. I believe the work we do is worthwhile, but it is also challenging. I am incredibly privileged to be able to rely on a team of such talented, smart, and driven people. I believe that a year and a half from now when we look back together on the work we’ve done and its challenges, it will be all the more rewarding for having been a collective experience.
What role do you currently serve on Minnesota Law Review?
I’m currently a staffer, which means the majority of my work consists in cite-checking articles for substantive and stylistic accuracy. Staffers also get the chance to write an original piece of legal scholarship called a note, which is a great way to exercise your curiosity and discover new interests.
What do you hope to do after taking the bar exam next year?
I hope to clerk after law school so that I can grow as a writer and explore a wide variety of substantive areas of the law. Beyond that, I don’t know for sure. My hope, broadly, is to work in private practice for a time before transitioning to public service work.
Do you have a favorite experience (so far) at Minnesota Law?
My favorite experiences have been spending time with friends. There is a wonderful community at Minnesota Law. For me, the people are the best part. I’ve also loved participating in TORT (Theatre of the Relatively Talentless), which is proof that law students are as fun as they are smart.
When you’re not studying, in class, or working on a journal, what do you like to do in your free time?
I enjoy reading, watching movies, and rock climbing.
What are some of your favorite activities to do in the Twin Cities?
I love biking the river parkways, seeing movies at the Trylon Theater in South Minneapolis, and relaxing on the Aster Cafe patio.
What is one thing that surprised you about Minnesota Law?
I was initially surprised at how many students are from out of state. I love Minneapolis and Minnesota, so it’s amazing to have such a well-respected law school here that can draw talented students from across the country.
What plans do you have for the journal during your time as EIC?
My goal is to ensure that we publish diverse scholarship imbued with a sense of social consciousness. Legal scholarship is sometimes stigmatized as overly academic and irrelevant to people’s lives. And yet the reality is that many of the ideas that are fundamental to the law as it exists today — and to public policy — originated in law journals. The fact that we, as students, have the chance to direct conversation on these issues is incredibly exciting! But I also believe that it requires us to approach our work with a sense of seriousness and responsibility commensurate with its potential impact.
Do you plan to collaborate with the other EICs in the coming year?
I certainly hope to. One thing I’d like to work with the other EICs on is further integrating the journals into the broader law school community. I hope that by reaching more students, especially 1Ls who may not know much about the journals or may not have considered petitioning, we can bring in new perspectives and increase the journals’ impact.