News

Professor Brett McDonnell, Dorsey & Whitney Chair in Law, received the University of Minnesota’s 2025 Award for Excellence in Academic Unit Service for his outstanding contributions to the Law School. In its second year, this award is a collaborative initiative of the Provost’s Office and the Faculty Consultative Committee. It recognizes Professor McDonnell’s many contributions to the Law School.

Two teams of Minnesota Law students performed exceptionally well at the ABA’s National Appellate Advocacy Competition (NAAC), held in Los Angeles, California, from February 20 to 23, 2025. Both teams advanced past the preliminary rounds for the first time in over a decade, with one team reaching the final round and the other advancing to the national competition. This marks the first time Minnesota Law sent a team to the national rounds of the ABA's NAAC in nearly twenty years.

 Jonathan Daniel Eoloff ’04, passed away on October 21, 2024, at his home in Atlanta, at age 55. A native of St. Paul, Eoloff was active in international human rights beginning after college with his work in Guatemala. His passion for human rights began there when he taught in a village school while working on development projects and caring for orphans whose parents had disappeared. Throughout his career, Eoloff had an unwavering commitment to justice, compassion, and the pursuit of equality for all.

Last November, the National Moot Court team excelled at the regional competition in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The team representing the Petitioner advanced to the national rounds held in New York City this past January, reaching the quarterfinals of the national round.

For Kate Riggers, a 3L student at the University of Minnesota Law School, the decision to pursue a law degree stemmed from a passion for working with people. Originally from rural Idaho, Riggers’ academic journey began with a degree in business finance from Montana State University. She quickly pivoted away from a traditional career in finance after discovering her passion for working with people. “I didn’t want to be stuck behind an Excel spreadsheet all day,” she said.

Professor Matthew Bodie, Robins Kaplan Professor of Law, spoke on a panel at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Investor Advisory Committee in early March about the implications of the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for corporations in relation to operations and financial disclosures.

Assistant Dean of Experiential Education Mitchell E. Zamoff, J. Stewart and Mario McClendon Professor in Law and Alternative Dispute Resolution, has received the University of Minnesota’s 2024-25 Award for Outstanding Contributions to Graduate and Professional Education. This honor is awarded to exceptional candidates nominated by their colleges for excellence in graduate and professional education.