Q & A with Noah Richardson ’26, incoming editor-in-chief of Minnesota Journal of International Law

Can you share a bit about your background? Where you’re from, where did you go to undergrad, and where did you work over the summer or where will you work this summer?

Absolutely! I came to Minnesota Law from a town in Northern Arizona called Flagstaff, a mountain town in the high desert. I went to undergrad at the University of Arizona in Tucson. This past summer I worked remotely as a litigation intern for a small nonprofit called Legal Impact for Chickens, where I did animal welfare work.

Congratulations on being named the next editor-in-chief for the Minnesota Journal of International Law (MJIL). Can you tell us what you’re most excited about as the new EIC?

There’s a lot to choose from, but I think what I’m looking forward to most of all is working closely with my fellow incoming editors to build a volume that reflects the interests and values of our group. They are some of the most intelligent and hard-working people I have met, and they have already brought a wide array of skills, interests, and talents to our work this year as staffers. The current leadership has also done a fantastic job setting us up for success, and I am eager to pay it forward.

What role do you currently serve on MJIL?

This year I am working as a staffer. I am one of the people in that position responsible for locating and verifying the sources cited in the articles we are publishing, as well as confirming the accuracy of those citations. I am also in the process of writing my second piece of legal scholarship. It is a shorter, topical legal analysis and one of the writing opportunities staffers get to engage in.

We’d love to hear about your career plans. What do you hope to do after taking the bar exam next year?

I would like to work as a judicial law clerk in state court, a position I have heard recommended by various attorneys. Eventually, I hope to work as a trial lawyer in the public sector, and I think clerking would be a great educational experience and serve my goals well.

Do you have a favorite experience (so far) at Minnesota Law?

I know it’s been said before, but it’s true: the people who make up the community here—the students, staff, and faculty—are the best part of the whole experience. There are so many brilliant people here, with so many different backgrounds, who are engaged in meaningful work. It’s been one of my favorite parts of being on a journal, too.

When you’re not studying, in class, or working on a journal, what do you like to do in your free time?

I really like seeing movies in theatres, especially at the Main Cinema, so I try to see new ones whenever I can find the time. I also like discovering new restaurants, cafes, or bookstores within walking distance, where I can work or read outside of my apartment.

What are some of your favorite activities to do in the Twin Cities?

Over the summer and fall, I've been exploring the river parkways and some of the walkways around the area's lakes. I also like walking around the Mill City Farmer’s Market. I’m always on the hunt for good vegan food places, so I’m open to recommendations for where to go next!

What is one thing that surprised you about Minnesota Law?

I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how many different opportunities to pursue whatever interests you. In addition to the different journals, there are clinics and clubs and classes and events focused on just about whatever legal topic you can think of. And, if you find an area that’s lacking, there are resources available for you to start a new student organization.

What plans or goals do you have for your journal during your time as editor-in-chief?

As a journal with a nucleus of international law, I would like the journal to highlight the interconnectedness of our larger society. It is, I think, often overlooked just how deeply our laws, actions, and policy choices reverberate through existing structures and directly affect us and the people we care about. It’s important to remember that nothing exists in a vacuum, especially the law, and I want to bring a sense of awareness to the work our journal does and the impact it has.

 Do you plan to collaborate with the other EICs in the coming year?

Absolutely; we’ve already started communicating, and I look forward to continuing our work together. The journals genuinely are run by the students, that’s something I really like about the legal field. It enables us to take a larger role in the legal landscape, and I hope to work with the other Editors-in-Chief to ensure the journals remain present and active in our school’s community.

Finally, what advice do you have for others who are considering pursuing a leadership role on a law journal?

You should at least think about doing it! Talk to others who have done it, or are doing it right now. Like many things in law school it can be hard to get a sense of what the experience is like on your own, but there are a lot of people out there who are willing and eager to share their own expertise and advice. As someone who came into the experience not having a specific idea of what I want to do long-term, it has been a great time and I’m excited to continue.