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2nd Annual Dean’s Multicultural Luncheon

By: Life at UST Law

Published on: Monday, May 13th, 2013

Mr. Peter Reyes, Jr.

Mr. Peter Reyes, Jr.

On February 25, 2013, the 2nd Annual Dean’s Multicultural Luncheon was held. Guests included UST faculty, staff, alumni, students, as well as leaders in the legal community who are committed to furthering diversity in the legal profession. Dean Robert Vischer welcomed the guests by speaking about the importance of diversity at the University of St. Thomas School of Law and introduced the keynote speaker, Peter M. Reyes, Jr.

Mr. Reyes is a native of Minnesota, and is currently President of the Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA) and a senior in-house patent attorney at Cargill. He began by speaking about his personal commitment to diversity throughout his legal profession. Mr. Reyes is the grandson of migrant workers, born and raised in St. Paul, MN, and was the first in his family to graduate from college. He mentioned the hardships he encountered due to a lack of mentors within his family, as he often felt that he did not have anyone to turn to for advice when he was going through law school, and how this experience has shaped his various leadership roles.

As President of the HNBA, Mr. Reyes has been committed to furthering diversity in leadership in general, thus preparing the legal profession to welcome future diverse leaders, apart from himself. He spoke about his personal experiences in going to legal conferences and feeling overwhelmed by the lack of diversity present. He noted that people are drawn toward others that are similar to themselves, and how this leads to a need for diverse leadership in order to promote inclusiveness.

Mr. Reyes also spoke about the need that law firms have for diverse attorneys. Corporations are demanding that the firms they hire accurately represent their corporation as well as their customers; as diversity increases in America, the demand for diverse attorneys has also increased. People of color make up a large portion of the American population, and clients want to hire attorneys that they feel they can relate to. The luncheon ended with a call to action for students, alumni, and members of the community to help increase the amount of diversity in the legal profession. Whether it’s through mentoring, participating in bar association activities, or just having a conversation with someone at a conference, we all have the ability to help lead the profession toward a more diverse future.

Post by: Beatriz Espinoza (2L), Office of Diversity Intern

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Community Justice Project Students in the Community

By: Life at UST Law

Published on: Monday, May 13th, 2013

With talking pieces in hand, Dr. Artika Tyner and CJP students presented about restorative justice at the Restoration Counseling and Community Services. They shared about the power of restorative justice to transform communities and foster new connections. What is Restorative Justice? Restorative justice focuses on the interrelatedness of the human experience and offers an alternative framework for resolving conflict and the resulting harm. Restorative justice seeks to address the question of how to “make things right.” For example in the criminal context, the process of “making things right” includes: identifying the harm suffered by the victim, holding the offender accountable for the harm, and restoring interpersonal relationships within the community. It offers all key stakeholders an opportunity to repair the harm suffered as a result of the criminal offense and create a social contract to build a harmonious community and strengthen the social fabric of the community. This restorative process may occur in a victim impact panel, sentencing circle, or community conference.

Kudos to CJP students for sharing their research on restorative justice!

For more information about restorative justice, please read Dr. Tyner’s articles:

A New Addition to the Alternative Dispute Resolution Practitioner’s Toolkit: The Exploration of Restorative Justice and Practical Implementation

https://www.americanbar.org/newsletter/publications/law_trends_news_practice_area_e_newsletter_home/09_fall_lit_feat2.html

Restorative Justice: A Dream of Restoration and Transformation

http://www.mnbar.org/sections/new-lawyers/Fall2008.pdf

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UST Law Student Organizes Books for Africa Drive

By: Life at UST Law

Published on: Tuesday, April 16th, 2013

Starting this week, the UST law school will be hosting a book drive to benefit Books for Africa. For those of you who do not know about Books for Africa, it is a non-profit organization headquartered in St. Paul and is the largest shipper of donated books in all of Africa. Their mission is to help those in Africa to learn and improve their reading skills. In 2012 alone, they sent over 2 million books to readers of all ages.

So how can you help during this book drive? In one or more of three ways. First, any books that you may have that you are willing to donate can be picked up by me or dropped off in the collection box located on the second floor outside of the law library (Minneapolis campus). The books can be new or slightly used, educational or fun. Donate virtually any kind of book, from old textbooks (within last 10 years) to your favorite novel or the children’s story that inspired you to read. If you wish, simply contact me (info below) to setup a time and I will be happy to come and get them from you.

Second, you can donate funds directly to the organization at: https://www.booksforafrica.org/donate/funds.html

Lastly, the book drive will close with a volunteer event at the BFA warehouse in St. Paul on April 20th from 10-2 and 12-2. On that day you can volunteer for a few hours helping to sort and pack the books so that they can be shipped overseas. If you are interested in volunteering please email Jim Skoog at jim@hcba.org as space is limited. To find out more about Books for Africa please visit their website at: https://www.booksforafrica.org.

Any help you can lend in getting the word out is also appreciated. Please note, the book drive will end on April 19th. The Books for Africa warehouse is located at 635 Prior Ave. N. Suite 100, St. Paul, MN 55104.

Thank you for your time. For more information, please contact:

Ryan Ogren

ogres993@stthomas.edu

262-470-6586

Books for Africa 1 Books for Africa 2

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Members of the UST Law Community Participate in the Race for Justice

By: Life at UST Law

Published on: Tuesday, April 16th, 2013

Several members of the UST Law Community participated in the Race for Justice over the weekend. This race supports the Loan Repayment Assistance Program of Minnesota (LRAP) by consistently raising over $20,000 each year. LRAP helps to meet the needs of low income Minnesotans across the state by subsidizing education debts for dedicated, low-paid public interest attorneys. For more information about LRAP, click here.

Members of the UST Law Community at the Race For Justice.

Members of the UST Law Community at the Race For Justice.

Members of the UST Law Team included (pictured from left to right): Paul Mussell (Adjunct Faculty Member), Cari Haaland (Assistant Dean of Admissions), Nora Fitzpatrick (Senior Assistant Dean of Administration), Nicole Limper (1L), Aidan Dunne (3L), Maggie Novack (1L) and Lindsay Lien (1L).

Thank you to all of those who participated!

Dean Fitzpatrick at the Race for Justice Finish Line.

Dean Fitzpatrick at the Race for Justice Finish Line.

Posted in Admissions, Current Student Perspective, Student Activities, UST Law Community | Comments Off

Winter Hats from the Admissions Office

By: Life at UST Law

Published on: Monday, February 18th, 2013

Nicki L., Current 1L UST Law Student, Guest Blogger

During the Spring of my senior year of college, many of the law schools that I had applied for sent me various small gifts and hand written notes.  The University of St. Thomas- School of Law sent me the most unique gift: a hat. I knew that hats are essential to any winter wardrobe, but I did not know when I would ever wear this particular hat.

Nicki and Allison at the Fall Public Service Day

Allison and Nicki at the Fall Public Service Day

I, along with other law students, finally got our chance to wear the famous 1L hats during Fall Public Service Day.  At UST Law, students are required to complete 50 hours of public service.  I believe this is one of the most socially minded and essential graduation requirements.  The Public Service Board at UST Law helps students by organizing public service opportunities.  

In the Fall, we volunteered with Great River Greening by planting trees.  It was an enjoyable experience to get outside, plant some trees, and beautify the surrounding community.  This Spring, students are working with Habitat for Humanity for Public Service Day.  Maybe we will get the chance to wear our 1L hats once again!

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Opportunity to observe a motion to dismiss hearing

By: Life at UST Law

Published on: Wednesday, February 13th, 2013

School of Law Detail Close-UpsAlex Ginsberg, J.D. Candidate 2014

Have you ever wanted to see a motion to dismiss hearing, but didn’t know where to go to observe one? On the evening of Tuesday, February 19th, you will have your chance to see an intellectual slugfest by University of St. Thomas School of Law 2 and 3Ls in the Frey Moot Courtroom of the Law School. Professor Collett’s Constitutional Litigation course is in the process of bringing a number of hypothetical cases through the filing stages all the way to trial, and one team has filed a motion to dismiss.

The case involves a hypothetical statute enacted by the Minnesota legislature, which construes the word “person” under Minnesota law to include unborn children, specifically stating that the life of each human being begins at conception. The Defendant in the case has moved to dismiss the claim brought for lack of standing, stating that the federal courts do not have jurisdiction because there is no injury to an existing legal interest.

The hearing will include oral argument by both teams, and should last no more than an hour. This is a great way for students, both current and prospective, to see what it takes to bring a case to trial, including the practical nature of upper level courses at UST Law.

So come one, come all! I will make myself available shortly before the hearing, and will stick around as late as people would like after its conclusion to answer any questions those observing may have.

Anyone wishing to attend can email me with any questions, and I will make available electronic copies of both the Defendant’s memorandum for their motion to dismiss, as well as the plaintiff’s response in opposition of the motion if anyone would like a bit of background as to what will be occurring.

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Malcolm X: Celebrating a civil rights icon

By: Life at UST Law

Published on: Thursday, February 7th, 2013

Daniel Hickey, J.D. Candidate, 2013

Malcolm X: El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz

Malcolm X

 

The schools, media, and other institutions do not like to discuss the influence El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz – or Malcolm X – had on the civil rights movement. While Shabazz and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. both shared the goal of ending racial discrimination in the US, they had very different strategies on how to attain this goal. Dr. King believed in the principle of civil disobedience and obtaining the goal of racial equality through exclusively non-violent means. Shabazz on the other hand believed in taking a more aggressive approach – achieving equality by “any means necessary”.

This is why Dr. King is portrayed as a hero – which he was – and Shabazz is characterized as a man who preached black supremacy and violence. Due to this perception, it is important to clarify Shabazz’s role in the civil rights movement. Not all his actions were defensible, but there are positive aspects of his character that are rarely discussed. My purpose is not to convince you that Shabazz’s life should be celebrated like Dr. King’s; rather it is to make you realize his role in the civil rights movement deserves our recognition.

Around this time six years ago I was looking for a good book to read. I came across The Autobiography of Malcolm X and started a nightly schedule of reading 20 or so pages of it. I first learned that Malcolm Little had, to say the very least, a difficult childhood. When he was six years old, Little’s father was found dead by a streetcar railway track. No one was ever convicted of his murder, (more…)

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UST Law hosts ABA Regional Negotiation Competition

By: Life at UST Law

Published on: Monday, November 19th, 2012

Sam Johnson, guest blogger

Over the weekend of November 10th and 11th, St. Thomas hosted the ABA Regional Negotiations Competition.  Twenty teams, from as far away as Winnipeg and Alabama, competed for the opportunity to advance to the ABA’s National Negotiations Competition.  The Minnesota law schools were well represented, with all four putting forth at least one team.  The competitors negotiated for over ten hours on Saturday.  Those preliminary rounds were followed by a reception in the atrium where the four finalists were announced.  The judges were incredibly impressed by the talent of the competitors, but ultimately only four teams could advance.

The four finalists went head-to-head on Sunday, in the Frey Moot Courtroom.  The teams were likely competing on little sleep as they had only received the problem the night before.  Again, the judges commented that all teams did a fantastic job. The winning team will compete in the Finals in Dallas in February.

All of the teams and their coaches commented on what a great school St. Thomas is. Specifically, they commented that this year’s competition was one of the best organized they had ever been to.  They loved the architecture of the building, and they even loved the Food for Thought catering.

The Board of Advocates would like to personally thank all of the judges who volunteered their free time to judge over the weekend.  Additionally, special thanks to Dean Vischer who gave up his weekend to host the competition.  We couldn’t have put on this competition without your help!

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Vatican II’s declaration of religious freedom: The view from Europe

By: Life at UST Law

Published on: Wednesday, October 3rd, 2012

Submitted by Lucas S., 2L Guest Blogger

The Most Reverend Charles Morerod, OP, was once at a religious conference in Geneva, Switzerland, when an African priest posed the question, “Should we allow people to change religions?” Bishop Morerod didn’t want to answer the question, and no one else did either, so the question went largely unanswered. “It is not obvious,” said Bishop Morerod, speaking on religious freedom at the law school last week, “even as Christians, to respect religious freedom.”Bishop Morerod specifically addressed Vatican II’s Declaration on Religious Freedom.”

Most Reverend Charles Morerod, OP

Bishop Morerod specifically addressed Vatican II’s Declaration on Religious Freedom. It has been especially difficult for the European mind to accept the concept of religious freedom. History has shaped the European attitude toward religious freedom. Historically, a European’s religion was decided by their birthplace. If you didn’t accept the official religion of your country, then you were in big trouble. The wars of religion in Europe were evidence of the danger posed by different religions co-existing in the same country. The power of the official state churches rivaled that of the governments. Even today, churches in Europe have a tight hold in their respective states. In France in 1905, cities were required, by law, to pay the expenses of all the church buildings in France built before 1905. Even today, the official churches of some European nations hold a large amount of secular influence. (more…)

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Daily Discipleship

By: Life at UST Law

Published on: Tuesday, September 25th, 2012

Submitted by Lucas S., 2L Guest Blogger

Last spring, the Christian Legal Society started a daily devotional meeting for law students and faculty called Daily Discipleship. The meetings take place at noon in Room 326. Attendance is usually between ten and twenty students and the meetings revolve around three elements of the Christian walk – Bible reading, discipleship and prayer.

A view into the Chapel of St. Thomas More

Bible Reading

Each day, the group reads from the same daily readings which are said at mass. The Catholic daily readings follow a pattern which flows from the Christian calendar – revolving around events such as Easter and Christmas. This provides a structure for the year and culminates in celebrations of the key events which are central to the Christian faith from the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

In participating in the same readings which are said at mass, Daily Discipleship is seeking unity of spirit and faith with their Catholic brethren. Catholics and Protestants share the same Lord and Savior; and, although men have caused divisions in the Church, Christ is not divided. Protestants disagree with many of the traditions of the Catholic church, but communal Bible readings is not one of them. It is a wonderful tradition which fosters unity in the body of Christ, and one of the goals of Daily Discipleship  is to foster unity. (more…)

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