Find Your Career Path

Explore Where Minnesota Law Leads You

ONE OF THE COUNTRY’S TOP LAW SCHOOLS, the University of Minnesota Law School prepares students to solve the complex social, economic, and business issues of our time in a collegial culture that emphasizes teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership. Students learn to think analytically, to identify the core element of a complex problem, and to develop real-world solutions—skills that allow you to go further than you ever imagined.

97%
Employment Rate
(2022 Grads; FT/ LT JD Required/ JD Advantage/ Grad)
Top Markets for 2022 Grads
California | Illinois | Minnesota | New York | Washington D.C. | Wisconsin
98%
Law students held summer positions across the U.S. in 2023

Where Grads Go

University of Minnesota Law School graduates are making an impact as lawyer-leaders in the region, the country, and around the world. With over 13,000 alumni, Minnesota Law graduates work in all 50 states and 73 countries.

CLASSES OF 2020, 2021, AND 2022

Map of US with lines to states where Minnesota Law grads work
Sitso Bediako
2008
Current City:White Plains
Current State:NY
Title:Senior Associate
Employer:Lowey Dannenberg, P.C.
Why did you choose MN Law?

MN Law had the right mix of rigorous academics, extracurricular opportunities, and an amazing, collegial learning environment that was important to faculty and students alike.

What is/was your favorite thing about MN Law?

T.O.R.T.

How did MN Law prepare you for your career?

It provided the foundation of my legal knowledge and provided early exposure to what it was like to work as a lawyer.

Mary Beall
2018
Current City:Madison
Current State:WI
Title:Associate
Employer:Perkins Coie
Cayla Ebert
2018
Current City:Washington
Current State:DC
Title:Associate
Employer:Hogan Lovells US LLP
Why did you choose MN Law?

The culture and the international law opportunities.

What is/was your favorite thing about MN Law?

The lifelong friends and support network I made.

How did MN Law prepare you for your career?

MN Law taught me how to think and write critically and effectively.

Noah Steimel
2020
Current City:Washington
Current State:DC
Title:Honors Attorney
Employer:Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Why did you choose MN Law?

I chose MN Law because of its commitment to helping students pursue careers in public interest.

What is/was your favorite thing about MN Law?

My favorite thing about MN Law was its tight-knit and welcoming community.

How did MN Law prepare you for your career?

MN Law allowed me to pursue my interest in consumer protection law.

Bojan Manojlovic
2017
Current City:Chicago
Current State:IL
Title:Associate
Employer:Sidley Austin LLP
Why did you choose MN Law?

MN Law gave me the critical thinking and practical skills I needed to become an effective advocate.

What is/was your favorite thing about MN Law?

You will be hard-pressed to find a better group of people to learn with and from than at MN Law.

How did MN Law prepare you for your career?

An effective combination of theory and practice is critical to attorneys' success, especially early in their careers and that is what MN Law excels at. 

Lauren Zenk
2018
Current City:Milwaukee
Current State:WI
Title:Attorney
Employer:Quarles & Brady LLP
Why did you choose MN Law?

Its excellent reputation.

What is/was your favorite thing about MN Law?

The amazing friends I made.

How did MN Law prepare you for your career?

The legal writing program helped me develop a foundation of legal writing skills that I use every day.

Lauren Fleming
2019
Current City:Kansas City
Current State:MO
Title:Associate
Employer:Stinson LLP
Why did you choose MN Law?

I knew a MN Law degree would open doors to wherever I wanted to go.

What is/was your favorite thing about MN Law?

My time in the Insurance Law Clinic. 

How did MN Law prepare you for your career?

I gained the most practical, real-world legal skills through my clinical experience that I still use in practice today.

Emily Harrison
2016
Current City:Washington
Current State:DC
Title:Associate
Employer:Cooley LLP
Roshan Rajkumar
Roshan Rajkumar
2000
Current City:Minneapolis
Current State:MN
Title:Co-Managing Partner, MSP; Firm's D&I Committee Chair
Employer:Bowman and Brooke LLP
Why did you choose MN Law?

Top Tier law school with strong legal community backing it.

What is/was your favorite thing about MN Law?

The classmates who are now colleagues and friends.

How did MN Law prepare you for your career?

Created a strong legal network, while also a strong legal foundation in legal research and writing.

Liz Young
2017
Current City:Alamosa
Current State:CO
Title:Deputy State Public Defender
Employer:Colorado State Public Defender
How did MN Law prepare you for your career?

MN Law gave me practical experience in criminal defense as well as the skills to continue growing in my practice. 

Lance Smemoe
2006
Current City:Irvine
Current State:CA
Title:Partner
Employer:Knobbe, Martens, Olson & Bear, LLP
Why did you choose MN Law?

I chose MN Law because it is an excellent school close to a thriving city with a reasonable cost of living.

What is/was your favorite thing about MN Law?

My professors were passionate about the law and helped me have that same enthusiasm.

How did MN Law prepare you for your career?

MN Law taught me critical thinking and communication skills that I use every day.

Alex Park
2020
Current City:Minneapolis
Current State:MN
Title:Associate
Employer:Winthrop & Weinstine
Why did you choose MN Law?

I chose MN Law because of its strong IP curriculum. 

What is/was your favorite thing about MN Law?

My favorite thing about MN Law was how much everyone in Mondale Hall cared for one another. 

How did MN Law prepare you for your career?

MN Law helped me grow, as both an individual and professional, by providing me with the tools and knowledge (courses, Career Center, networking) to be confident in my own abilities. 

Brian Gerd
2017
Current City:Anchorage
Current State:AK
Title:Associate Attorney
Employer:Richmond & Quinn
Peter Klenk
1990
Current City:Philadelphia
Current State:PA
Title:Owner
Employer:Klenk Law
Why did you choose MN Law?

Great school, where I got in-state tuition!

What is/was your favorite thing about MN Law?

A local feel, but it prepared me to work everywhere.

How did MN Law prepare you for your career?

A solid base on which to build.

Eugene Kim
2010
Current City:Denver
Current State:CO
Title:Senior Mountain Resorts Counsel
Employer:Vail Resorts Management Company
Why did you choose MN Law?

I chose MN Law when I saw first hand the camraderie and collegiality between the students.

What is/was your favorite thing about MN Law?

The close friendships and memories formed through late night poker nights, wheelie chair races and dress up weeks in 1L year. 

How did MN Law prepare you for your career?

It prepared me to work closely with people with divergent, intelligent views toward specific issues and to identify the different ways that an issue can be analyzed. 

Austin Benner
2019
Current City:San Francisco
Current State:CA
Title:Tax Consultant
Employer:Deloitte Tax LLP
Why did you choose MN Law?

I primarily chose Minnesota Law because of its reputation and course offerings.

What is/was your favorite thing about MN Law?

I have an immense amount of appreciation for the role MN Law played in my personal and professional development.

How did MN Law prepare you for your career?

MN Law's broad array of course offerings enabled me to be exposed to topics that are vital to what I do now.

Emily Lekahal
2016
Current City:Tampa
Current State:FL
Title:Associate Counsel
Employer:Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Why did you choose MN Law?

MN Law won me over during Admitted Students Weekend: the culture, the professors, the opportunities, and the city stood out. 

What is/was your favorite thing about MN Law?

The location - you have direct access to top fortune 500 companies, professional sports teams, top law firms, and public service opportunities. 

How did MN Law prepare you for your career?

Between the clinics, externships, student associations, speakers, helpful alum, and diligent career center staff, you will never be more equipped to take on the legal profession than when you graduate from MN Law.

Mary Heath
2017
Current City:Minneapolis
Current State:MN
Title:Associate
Employer:Maslon LLP
Why did you choose MN Law?

I chose MN Law because of its collegial environment and solid reputation.

What is/was your favorite thing about MN Law?

The people.

How did MN Law prepare you for your career?

By focusing not only on building academic skills, but soft skills such as networking and working with clients.

Alex Shaner
2020
Current City:Omaha
Current State:NE
Title:Associate Attorney
Employer:McGrath North
Why did you choose MN Law?

MN Law’s outstanding clinical offerings and other options for practical legal experience prior to practice instills tremendous skills that students can use outside of the classroom on day one. 

What is/was your favorite thing about MN Law?

I thoroughly enjoyed my experience in the Insurance Clinic by helping policyholders who otherwise can not afford representation battle insurance companies who wrongly denied important insurance coverage. 

How did MN Law prepare you for your career?

MN Law provided both a practical and academic platform for the study and practice of law which allowed me to not only have the confidence in my abilities and legal experience but to also have the values of helping my community seek justice in a variety of forms.

Austin Miller
2017
Current City:Minneapolis
Current State:MN
Title:Associate
Employer:Robins Kaplan LLP
Why did you choose MN Law?

From the moment I stepped on campus to visit the law school, I felt incredibly welcome and that I would be provided with the resources (academically and socially) to thrive here.

What is/was your favorite thing about MN Law?

The student body really cares about each other and we're competitive internally, but not with each other.

How did MN Law prepare you for your career?

The clinics provided me with a great opportunity to interface with clients, opposing counsel, and the courts that prepared me for my first day of practice.

Yuka Shiotani
2020
Current City:Minneapolis
Current State:MN
Title:Associate
Employer:Taft Stettinius & Hollister
Why did you choose MN Law?

I chose MN because of its reputation of having a collegiate atmosphere and ability to connect students with employers.

What is/was your favorite thing about MN Law?

My favorite thing about MN Law is the best friends I met there.

How did MN Law prepare you for your career?

The writing program at MN Law helped me improve my legal writing which is the key to success. 

Sushmitha Rajeevan
2015
Current City:Boston
Current State:MA
Title:Associate
Employer:Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders LLP
Why did you choose MN Law?

I chose MN Law because it was an excellent law school that had a strong IP Program and an even stronger sense of community.

What is/was your favorite thing about MN Law?

My favorite thing of about MN Law is that its students are brilliant, driven, and ambitious while still being kind and supportive of one another.

How did MN Law prepare you for your career?

MN Law allowed me to have unique opportunities to gain practical experience in my chosen legal field. 

Mara Michaletz
2006
Current City:Anchorage
Current State:AK
Title:Partner
Employer:Birch Horton Bittner & Cherot
Why did you choose MN Law?

Growing up in the Twin Cities, a majority of the attorneys I looked up to growing up (including my own dad) went to MN Law, and I trusted their education insofar as I also trusted them and admired their work, ethics, and community engagement – and I see many of my own classmates the same way now.

What is/was your favorite thing about MN Law?

My community of MN Law professors and classmates - who brought a crucial diversity of perspectives in pursuit of a wide variety of educational objectives - provided so much humor, support, and encouragement throughout law school, and I continue to be grateful for these lifelong connections and friendships.

How did MN Law prepare you for your career?

Always prepare for blizzard conditions the day of a deadline.

Mike Sikora
2018
Current City:Chicago
Current State:IL
Title:Associate
Employer:Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, LLP
Why did you choose MN Law?

Excellent reputation in IP and job placement across the Midwest.

What is/was your favorite thing about MN Law?

It provided plenty of opportunities to develop the legal knowledge and practical skills necessary to hit the ground running, even in a specialized area at a large firm. 

How did MN Law prepare you for your career?

Combination of experiential learning through Mock Trial, Trial Practice, Clinics, and a Federal Judicial Externship paired with strong substantive course offerings, including in my intended practice area (intellectual property litigation).

Cindy Shi
2020
Current City:Reno
Current State:NV
Title:Law Clerk
Employer:Second Judicial District Court
Why did you choose MN Law?

I chose MN Law because of its legal writing and experiential learning programs.

What is/was your favorite thing about MN Law?

One of my favorite things about MN Law is the support from faculty and staff; they are amazing.

How did MN Law prepare you for your career?

The opportunities through journal and clinic helped prepare me for my career.

Veena Tripathi
2019
Current City:Minneapolis
Current State:MN
Title:Associate
Employer:Fish & Richardson
Why did you choose MN Law?

Aside from MN Law’s high-ranking and notable practical program, I wanted to be in a collaborative, yet rigorous, environment that would allow me to develop both personally and professionally.

What is/was your favorite thing about MN Law?

I loved the professors because they were both dedicated educators and exceptional mentors.

How did MN Law prepare you for your career?

MN Law allowed me to build a strong network of attorneys in all major legal markets. A close second would be the reach of the MN law degree. Even though I ended up staying in MN to practice, I was able to connect with attorneys in all major legal markets.

Anthony Begon
2014
Current City:Dallas
Current State:TX
Title:Litigation and Compliance Counsel
Employer:McAfee, LLC
Why did you choose MN Law?

I chose MN Law because I wanted a law school that would provide me with opportunities to work anywhere in the world.

What is/was your favorite thing about MN Law?

My favorite thing about MN Law was competing in mock trial competitions which allowed me to develop skills that I used as a trial lawyer and currently use as an in-house attorney.

How did MN Law prepare you for your career?

MN Law prepared me for my career by providing a curriculum of practical courses and clinics that translate to real life situations.

Toni Haraldsen
2014
Current City:Washington
Current State:DC
Title:Staff Attorney
Employer:D.C. Court of Appeals
Why did you choose MN Law?

I chose MN Law for the opportunity to be part of a large university and the ability to take some courses outside the law school.

How did MN Law prepare you for your career?

MN Law made me a stronger writer and helped me develop the ability to view issues from multiple angles.

Kirsten Selvig
2014
Current City:Hilo
Current State:HI
Title:Deputy Prosecuting Attorney
Employer:Hawaii County Office of the Prosecuting Attorney
Why did you choose MN Law?

I chose MN Law because any school that highlights TORT and musicals has the welcoming culture I valued!

What is/was your favorite thing about MN Law?

My favorite part of MN Law was all the opportunities to try new things, from clubs to clinics to TORT!

How did MN Law prepare you for your career?

MN Law taught me to embrace the grey area in law, and not assume there is a black and white answer to issues.

Mikka Gee Conway
2011
Current City:Washington
Current State:DC
Title:Chief Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Officer and EEO Director
Employer:National Gallery of Art
Aditya Perakath
2018
Current City:Boston
Current State:MA
Title:Associate
Employer:Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C.
Kyle Brenton
2009
Current City:Denver
Current State:CO
Title:Assistant United States Attorney
Employer:U.S. Department of Justice
Yeerik Moy
2009
Current City:Los Angeles
Current State:CA
Title:VP Labor Relations
Employer:Sony Pictures
Why did you choose MN Law?

Best school I got into.

What is/was your favorite thing about MN Law?

I made wonderful lifetime friendships in my 3 years there.

How did MN Law prepare you for your career?

Trained me to critically think and analyze problems, especially in a practice setting in the Law Clinic.

Chris Moe
2016
Current City:Boston
Current State:MA
Title:Privacy Counsel
Employer:Monster
Why did you choose MN Law?

I chose MN Law because it's a top-tier law school in a city with a great quality of life.

What is/was your favorite thing about MN Law?

Taking privacy-related courses with faculty who helped guide me to a career in an exciting area of the law.

How did MN Law prepare you for your career?

My experience in the Consumer Protection Clinic made me a better lawyer by equipping me with a foundational set of legal skills that I use every day as in-house counsel.

Lindsay Moilanen
2009
Current City:New York
Current State:NY
Title:Senior Counsel
Employer:U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
Why did you choose MN Law?

Great law school in the state where I grew up!

What is/was your favorite thing about MN Law?

The camaraderie with my classmates

How did MN Law prepare you for your career?

Taught me to be a practical thinker and strong writer

Andy Bednark
2002
Current City:New York
Current State:NY
Title:Partner, Securities Litigation
Employer:O'Melveny & Myers LLP
Why did you choose MN Law?

Its reputation would afford me opportunities to practice nearly anywhere (including NYC) for the value of a public-school education.

What is/was your favorite thing about MN Law?

Academic rigor without sacrificing camaraderie

How did MN Law prepare you for your career?

The early emphasis on legal writing and yearlong civil procedure were part of an excellent foundation for a litigation career