Meet the Class of 2026: Emily Sparling

Incoming 1L Emily Sparling ’26, was born and raised in St. Paul, but has lived across the country. She earned her bachelor’s degree in anthropology from Wheaton College and a master’s degree in museology from the University of Washington. She’s worked as an educator at the Smithsonian, the Minnesota History Center, as well as her children’s elementary school. She and her husband and two young children live on a horse farm near the St. Croix River.

Welcome to Minnesota Law! Can you tell us why you chose the University of Minnesota Law School?

When I made the decision to pursue law school, I was thrilled to learn that a school that emphasized a pragmatic legal pedagogy coupled with an excellent reputation was within commuting distance. Minnesota Law also stands out in a metric that I find particularly meaningful, interdisciplinary impact. I am a social scientist first and I look forward to being at an institution that values bringing multiple lenses to the study of law. Minnesota Law was my first and only choice.

What are you looking forward to the most about starting law school?

Immersing myself in a new body of knowledge. I am excited to link my previous experience and study with legal praxis. My kids are excited about my starting school because they think I now possess a magic wand to enact solutions to all the problems they have identified and cataloged.

Minnesota Law strives to embody a culture of equity, inclusiveness, and belonging in the classroom and in our community. What are some of the most important aspects of creating a culture where all students feel like they belong?

I believe an important facet of belonging is the practice of hospitality, the careful consideration of others in the spaces you share. It is not a simple welcome but rather a demonstration that you have truly considered and prepared for the experiences of someone else. The goal of hospitality is not to bring everyone together to homogenize them but rather to create a space that is flexible enough to accommodate people as they are and as they are becoming.

Are you interested in practicing in a certain area of the law? Which one and why?

I have not yet identified a specific area of practice that I am interested in pursuing. I look forward to working with mentors as part of my participation in the Robina Public Interest Scholars program. I know that the path will become clear as I learn from the excellent faculty and student support staff at Minnesota Law.

Do you have a hobby or special interests? And/or what do you like to do during your free time?

I love cars. I do not claim to be particularly adept at fixing them despite taking auto tech in high school. I do watch every Formula 1 race and will happily discuss tire and pit stop strategy with anyone willing to listen—I have more than one Formula 1 podcast in my feed. I also love cooking, hiking, and reading.

Who inspires you and why?

My parents. My dad is a retired minister, he has spent his life devoted to community care. He modeled the practices of reconciliation and intentional relationships. My mother is a retired educator who steadfastly showed up in tangible ways, always adding another seat at the table. They have opened their home to countless folks be it political refugees that needed a soft place to land for several months or a college kid that needed a family over the holidays. They are models of grace.

What’s the most recent book or podcast you’ve read or listened to?

I just finished the new Martin Luther King Jr. biography, King, A Life by Jonathan Eig and the novel Circe by Madeline Miller.

Finally, what or who makes a good lawyer?

Empathy as an antidote to hubris and curiosity as a hedge against certainty.