Minnesota Law Mourns the Passing of Prof. Anna Shavers ‘79, Who Established the Law School’s First Immigration Law Clinic

University of Nebraska College of Law Professor Anna W. Shavers ‘79, who began her academic career at Minnesota Law in 1986 and established the Law School’s first immigration law clinic, died on Jan. 22.

Shavers was the Cline Williams Professor of Citizenship Law and associate dean for diversity and inclusion at University of Nebraska College of Law, where she has served on the faculty for 33 years. During her tenure, she served at various points as the school’s acting dean, interim dean, and associate dean for diversity. Her primary area of interest was in immigration and its intersection with gender issues.

Shavers served as a board member of the Midwestern People of Color Legal Scholarship Conference, Inc., co-chair of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Interdisciplinary Conference on Human Trafficking Planning Team. She also served as a member of The American Law Institute and was appointed to Administrative Conference of the United States. From 2014-15, she served as chair of the American Bar Association’s Administrative Law and Regulatory Practice Section. She was also a frequent national and international presenter on immigration, human trafficking, and administrative law issues.

Prof. Anna W. Shavers when she joined the Minnesota Law faculty in 1986
Prof. Shavers when she joined the Minnesota Law faculty in 1986

As a student at Minnesota Law, Shavers was managing editor of the Minnesota Law Review. After graduating cum laude and practicing law at Faegre & Benson, she joined Minnesota Law as a clinical professor in 1986, launching the Law School’s first ever immigration law clinic. In 1989, she joined the faculty of the University of Nebraska College of Law, where she remained the rest of her distinguished career.

Shavers’ memorial service is at 5:00 p.m. (CST) on Jan. 27 at the University of Nebraska College of Law.

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