Meet the Class of 2026: Vincent Cheng

Incoming 1L Vincent Cheng ’26, is originally from Winnipeg, Canada, but moved to Minnesota when he was 7. He majored in English at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and then received a Master of Fine Arts degree in fiction from the University of Minnesota. He then worked at a high school directing the debate program and teaching English courses. He also taught creative writing courses to students at the Minnesota Correctional Facility at Faribault through the Minnesota Prison Writing Workshop.

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

I’ve had the privilege of not only living in Minnesota but also attending school here. I know first-hand how well this school stacks up against the best in the nation and how warm, impressive and capable the people are here. I’m lucky to attend a prestigious institution in the place I already call home.

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

Through running a debate program, I’ve long been asked to use research, critical analysis and argumentation inside an abstracted environment. I’m excited to take those skills out of the theoretical realm and apply them to the real world, where I can hopefully affect positive and meaningful change.

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?

The first essential step is ensuring that all students feel genuinely listened to and that their perspective is valued. The classroom and the community must both stay open and responsive to differences in background and experience.

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

I’m very much still figuring this out. My sister and many of my closest friends are artists who have had difficulty navigating their contracts. I would love to enter employment or labor law and eventually fight for artists to receive fair compensation for their work and to ensure that they are never exploited under unsafe working conditions.

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

I love watching movies and have, this summer, been checking out the incredible film series at the Trylon, the Parkway, and the Main theaters as much as possible. I’ve also recently been enjoying climbing at the Minneapolis Bouldering Project.

Who inspires you and why?

I am inspired by the growth mindset of my cat Phoebe who, as of this week, learned that if she paws at the bedroom blinds with enough power, she will trigger the home’s alarm system, forcing me to wake up and deactivate it within 60 seconds, thus getting me out of bed so that I can feed her.

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

I am a huge fan of the NYRB Classics series—I most recently read and loved the novel Beware of Pity by Stefan Zweig, a pre-WWI tragedy that felt like a 400-page episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm. I’ve also enjoyed listening to the podcast If Books Could Kill, a show that critically re-evaluates and critiques bestselling nonfiction books throughout American history.

Finally, what or who makes a good lawyer?

I believe that the qualities that make a good and effective lawyer are ultimately the same as the qualities that make a good person in general: they are empathetic listeners, able to understand people clearly for who they are, and to understand them with generosity. They should be thoughtful and tireless advocates for their clients—not for the sake of personal enrichment, but out of a genuine commitment to ensuring they are taken care of.