News
Professor Thomas Cotter Testifies Before U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet
Professor Emeritus Antony Duff Receives AALS Section on Jurisprudence Hart-Dworkin Award
Perry Moriearty Recommended for Promotion to Professor of Law
Minnesota Law Mourns the Passing of Professor Emeritus Judith T. Younger
It is with deep sadness that the University of Minnesota Law School announces the passing of Professor Emeritus Judith T. Younger.
A highly regarded scholar and teacher known for her intellect and for breaking new ground in the legal profession, Younger came to Minnesota in 1984 as a visiting professor and joined the faculty permanently in 1985. She was the Joseph E. Wargo and Anoka County Bar Association Professor of Family Law at the Law School until she retired in 2022.
Professor Caleb Smith Appointed Assistant Dean for Clinical Education
Caleb Smith, clinical professor of law and director of the Ronald M. Mankoff Tax Clinic has been appointed assistant dean for clinical education, effective July 1, 2025. Smith oversees clinic students who represent low-income clients in tax controversies on cases that include audits of tax returns, filing and trying cases in Minnesota Tax Court and Federal District Court, and bringing taxpayers into collection compliance.
Samuel Makikalli: A Scholarship Recipient Tackling Climate Change with Tax Law
When 3L Samuel Makikalli decided to attend the University of Minnesota Law School, he wasn’t just looking for a degree—he was searching for a way to combine his passion for addressing climate change with the practical tools needed to make a real-world impact. At Minnesota Law, he found the perfect blend of analytical rigor, hands-on experience, and a supportive community that is empowering him to turn his vision into action. However, one factor made Minnesota Law stand out among several strong contenders.
Alumni News: Daniel G. Lugo '94 Has Been Named President of Trinity College
Minnesota Law alum Daniel G. Lugo '94 has been named the 23rd president of Trinity College, effective July 1, 2025. He is currently the president of Queens University of Charlotte. Before his tenure at Queens, Lugo served in key leadership roles at three prominent liberal arts colleges—Colby, Franklin & Marshall, and Carleton College.
Tribute: Minnesota Law Mourns the Passing of Eloise Kaplan
Eloise Kaplan passed away on November 25, at age 86. She was a resident of Naples, Florida, and Edina, Minnesota. She was a devoted wife and matriarch of a blended and inclusive family. She and her husband, Elliot Kaplan ’61, former chairman of the law firm of Robins Kaplan, were major donors of the University of Minnesota Law School and members of the Lockhart Club. The two were very engaged across the University, with several spaces named in their honor.
Shokri Abdelhalim attended the UN Climate ChangeConference with the Institute on the Environment
In November Shokri Abdelhalim (LLM ‘25) attended the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku,Azerbaijan, representing the University of Minnesota with the Institute on the Environment delegation. Shokri is an LLM student from Egypt and joined the Human Rights Center as a Research Fellow on climate change and human rights in September 2024.
