MJF Outstanding Service Award Recipients, 1991-present
The Minnesota Justice Foundation (MJF) Outstanding Service Awards were established in 1991 to recognize our colleagues who have demonstrated a commitment to public interest legal work. MJF offers these awards in recognition of the dedicated service and outstanding achievements of students, lawyers in private or corporate practice working on pro bono matters, and public interest legal service providers.
Plunkett Christenson Law Student Volunteer Award
Lizzy Cavanaugh, University of St. Thomas School of Law, 2024
Benna J. Griffin, Mitchell Hamline School of Law, 2024
Haley Van Steenbergh, University of Minnesota Law School, 2024
Noor Dastagir, University of St. Thomas School of Law, 2023
Perry Keziah, University of Minnesota Law School, 2023
Ryan Boevers, Mitchell Hamline School of Law, 2023
Kevin Green, University of St. Thomas School of Law, 2022
Madelyn Cox-Guerra, University of Minnesota Law School, 2022
Marilys Solano, Mitchell Hamline School of Law, 2022
Samantha Prins, University of St. Thomas School of Law, 2021
Brigid Kelly, University of Minnesota Law School, 2021
Brenda Pfahnl, Mitchell Hamline School of Law, 2021
Katherine Boland, University of St. Thomas School of Law, 2020
Marisa Tillman, University of Minnesota Law School, 2020
Dylan O’Brien, Mitchell Hamline School of Law, 2020
Abyan Gurase, University of Minnesota Law School, 2019
Brooke Hein, Mitchell Hamline School of Law, 2019
Madison Van Cleave, University of St. Thomas School of Law, 2019
Susan Craig, M.D., University of Minnesota Law School, 2018
Royzetta Evans, Mitchell Hamline School of Law, 2018
Jonathan Snyder, University of St. Thomas School of Law, 2018
Nicole Faas, University of Minnesota Law School, 2017
Beau RaRa, Mitchell Hamline School of Law, 2017
Melissa Bumanglag, University of St. Thomas School of Law, 2017
John Bruning, University of Minnesota Law School, 2016
Diane Galatowitsch, Mitchell Hamline School of Law, 2016
Ashley Steinberg, University of St. Thomas School of Law, 2016
David Nelson, Hamline University School of Law, 2015
Rosie Derrett, University of Minnesota Law School, 2015
James Robbins, University of St. Thomas School of Law, 2015
Jennifer Thompson, William Mitchell College of Law, 2015
Rebecca Dodson, Hamline University School of Law, 2014
George Byron Griffiths, University of Minnesota Law School, 2014
Martha White Price, University of St. Thomas School of Law, 2014
Mackenzie Moy, William Mitchell College of Law, 2014
Ben Londes, Hamline University School of Law, 2013
Melissa Martinez, University of St. Thomas School of Law, 2013
Colleen Kelly, University of Minnesota Law School, 2013
Suzula Bidon, William Mitchell College of Law, 2013
Carrie Briones, Hamline University School of Law, 2012
John Cetta, University of Minnesota Law School, 2012
Steven Kool, University of St. Thomas School of Law, 2012
Grace Zaiman, William Mitchell College of Law, 2012
Mirella Ceja-Orozco, Hamline University School of Law, 2011
Abigail Loesch, University of Minnesota Law School, 2011
Madina Nguyen, University of St. Thomas School of Law, 2011
Bonnie Claxton, William Mitchell College of Law, 2011
Micah Ludeke, Hamline University School of Law, 2010
Steven Schmidt, University of Minnesota Law School, 2010
Ann LeBeda, University of St. Thomas School of Law, 2010
Liselotte Kaiser, William Mitchell College of Law, 2010
Andrew Birkeland, William Mitchell College of Law, 2009
Kate Hannaher, Hamline University School of Law, 2008
Jennifer Zanner, University of St. Thomas School of Law, 2007
Rebecca Lucero, University of Minnesota Law School, 2006
Angela Hanske, William Mitchell College of Law, 2005
Jonathan Mulinix, University of St. Thomas School of Law, 2004
Lyndsay Haller, Hamline University School of Law, 2003
Andrew Krijac, Hamline University School of Law, 2002
Christopher Champagne, William Mitchell College of Law, 2001
Natasha Frost, University of Minnesota Law School, 2000
Shannon Tomsen, William Mitchell College of Law, 1999
Shannon Campbell, University of Minnesota Law School, 1998
Brenda Sue Denton, Hamline University School of Law, 1997
Catherine Berg Stafford, University of Minnesota Law School, 1996
Colleen R. Beebe, Hamline University School of Law, 1995
Sarah A. Wovcha, University of Minnesota Law School, 1995
Jennifer Wood, University of Minnesota Law School, 1994
Stacey E. Roelofs, William Mitchell College of Law, 1993
Nancy A. Proffitt, Hamline University School of Law, 1992
Peter Catanzaro, University of Minnesota Law School, 1991
Private Practice Lawyer Award
Clinton E. Cutler, Fredrikson & Byron P.A. and the University of Minnesota Law School’s Bankruptcy Clinic, 2024
Erica Holzer, Maslon LLP, 2023
Kurt W. Porter, Severson Porter Law, 2022
Jerry Blackwell, Blackwell Burke P.A.; Steven Schleicher, Maslon LLP; and Lola Velazquez-Aguilu, Medtronic, for their pro bono work on the prosecution team for the trial of Derek Chauvin, 2021
Richard Allyn, Robins Kaplan LLP, 2020
Michael F. Cockson, Faegre Baker Daniels, LLP, 2019
Timothy McLarnan, McLarnan & Skatvold, Moorhead, MN, 2018
Rebecca Schiller, The Academy Law Group, PA, 2017
David Wilson, Wilson Law Group, 2016
Ivan Fong, 3M Company, 2015
Sally Silk, Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi, LLP, 2014
Ankoor Bagchi, Briggs and Morgan, PA, 2013
W. Knapp Fitzsimmons, Briggs and Morgan, PA, 2013
Alan Maclin, Briggs and Morgan, PA, 2013
Michael Wilhelm, Briggs and Morgan, PA, 2013
Michael Ponto, Faegre Baker Daniels LLP, 2012
Jane Godfrey, Leonard, Street and Deinard, 2011
Brockton Hunter, Private Practitioner, 2010
Ann Marie Hanrahan, Associate General Counsel 3M, 2009
Elizabeth Schmiesing, Faegre and Benson, 2008
Mary Schwind, Leonard, Street and Deinard, 2007
Kimberly Lowe, Fredrikson & Byron, 2006
Jeffrey Keyes, Briggs & Morgan, 2005
Dan Tyson, Oppenheimer, Wolff & Donnelly, 2004
Tom Lund, Oppenheimer, Wolff & Donnelly, 2003
Andre Hanson, Dorsey & Whitney, 2002
Jay Quam, Fredrikson & Byron, 2001
Robert Jaskowiak, Rider, Bennett, Egan, Arundel, 2000
Sally Scoggin, Briggs and Morgan, 1999
Jerrold Bergfalk, Lindquist & Vennum, 1998
Robin M. Maher, Norwest Corporation, 1997
James Volling, Faegre & Benson, 1996
Paul A. Nelson, Kraft, Walser, Nelson, Hettig & Honsey, Olivia, 1995
Kimberly J. Nordby, Fredrikson & Byron, Minneapolis, 1994
Elaine J. Erickson, Popham, Haik, Schnobrich & Kaufman, Minneapolis, 1993
Bricker L. Lavik, Dorsey & Whitney, Minneapolis, 1992
Patricia W. Dolentz, Solo Practitioner, St. Cloud, 1991
Direct Legal Service Award
Sarah K. Moore, Legal Services of Northwest Minnesota, 2024
Muria Kruger, Volunteer Lawyers Network, 2023
Bradford Colbert, Mitchell Hamline School of Law, 2022
Kathy Klos, Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota, 2021
Erin Osborne, Central Minnesota Legal Services, 2020
Rachel Weis, Legal Aid Service of Northeastern Minnesota, 2019
Elizabeth Sauer, Central Minnesota Legal Services, 2018
Kathy Eveslage, SMRLS, 2017
Bob Enger, Legal Services of Northwest Minnesota, 2016
Barbara (BJ) Kuhn, Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid, 2015
Sara Sommarstrom, Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans, 2014
Christy Snow-Kaster, Central Minnesota Legal Services, 2013
Susan Stokes, Farmers’ Legal Action Group, 2012
Bud Rosenfield, Minnesota Disability Law Center, 2011
James Street, SMRLS, 2010
Mark Ireland, Housing Preservation Project, 2009
Galen Robinson, Mid-Minnesota Legal Assistance, 2008
Philip Marron, State Public Defenders Office, 2007
Joy Bartscher, Neighborhood Justice Center, 2006
Lenore Millibergity, Immigrant Law Center, 2005
Sarah Shella-Stevens, Central Minnesota Legal Services, 2004
Monica Boguki, Legal Aid Society of Minneapolis, 2003
Ralonda Mason, St. Cloud Area Legal Services, 2002
Constance Baillie, Central Minnesota Legal Services, 2001
Peggy Russell, Mid-Minnesota Legal Assistance, 2000
Ken Gilchrist, Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services, 1999
Steven Hirsh, Anishinabe Legal Services, 1998
Glenda Potter, Cambodian Legal Services Project, SMRLS, 1997
Jay Wilkinson, Minneapolis Legal Aid Southside, 1996
Martha A. Eaves, Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services, St. Paul, 1995
Mark D. Fiddler, Indian Child Welfare Law Center, Minneapolis, 1994
William Gatton, Legal Rights Center, 1993
Dale W. Lucas, Legal Aid Service of Northeastern Minnesota, Duluth office, 1992
Susan L. Carroll, Legal Aid Society of Minneapolis, Inc., Northside office, 1991
Advocate Award (new in 2003)
Jenna Saverynski, Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services, 2024
Catherine Ahlin-Halverson, Maslon LLP’s UPLIFT Legal Institute for Teens, 2023
Raelene Caswell, Standpoint, 2022
Gregg Trautwein, Legal Services of Northwest Minnesota, 2021
Sothea Phea Poch, Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services, 2020
Lori Leistritz, Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid, 2019
Imani Jaafar, City of Minneapolis Department of Civil Rights, 2018
Bridget Gernander, Minnesota Judicial Branch, 2017
Ann Conroy, Legal Services State Support, 2016
Mary Shequen Smith, Anishinabe Legal Services, 2015
Pam Wandzel, Fredrikson & Byron, PA, 2014
Weida Allen, Children’s Law Center, 2013
Marit Eriksmoen, Housing Preservation Project, 2012
Nelson Bonilla, Southwestern Minnesota Opportunity Council, 2011
Jodie Boderman, Faegre & Benson, 2010
Cynthia Anderson, Immigrant Law Center, 2009
Ann Sullivan, Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services, 2008
Ann Theisen, MN Advocates for Human Rights, 2007
Richard Cox, Faegre & Benson, 2006
Jennifer Brockway, Legal Aid Services of North East MN, 2005
Sai Vang, SMRLS, St. Paul, 2004
Nancy Stagstetter, Faegre & Benson, 2003
Law Professor Award (2006-2009)
Diane Dube, William Mitchell College of Law, 2009
Stephen F. Befort, University of Minnesota Law School, 2008
Nekima Levy-Pounds, St. Thomas School of Law, 2007
Marie Faillinger, HUSL, 2006
Distinguished Service Award (1991-2015)
Mark Privratsky, Lindquist & Vennum, LLP, 2015
Daniel Cole, Briggs and Morgan, PA, 2014
Dr. Amos Deinard, Jr., University of Minnesota, 2013
P. Kenneth Kohnstamm, Special Assistant Attorney General, MN Attorney General’s Office, 2012
Sally Scoggin, Briggs and Morgan, PA, 2011
Chris Bercaw, Dorsey & Whitney, 2010
Jean Lastine, Executive Director Central Minnesota Legal Services, 2009
Larry McDonough, Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid, 2008
Tim Branson, Dorsey & Whitney, 2007
Ann Cofell, Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid, 2006
Luther Grandquist, Minnesota Disability Law Center, 2005
Peter Wyckoff, Minnesota Senior Federation, 2004
Candee Goodman, Lindquist & Vennum, 2003
Edward Magarian, Dorsey & Whitney, 2002
Marlene Kayser, Community Volunteer, 2001
Suzanne Born, 2000
Jacquelyn Hauser, WATCH, 1999
Theresa Murray Hughes, (formerly) Minnesota Justice Foundation, 1998
Charles K. Dayton, Leonard, Street and Deinard, 1997
William Keppel, Dorsey & Whitney, 1996
Nancy J. Kleeman, Minnesota State Bar Association, Minneapolis, 1995
Barbara F.L. Penn, Penn Law Office, St. Paul, 1994
Jeremy Lane, Executive Director, Mid-Minnesota Legal Assistance, Minneapolis, 1993
Doug Hall, Co-founder and attorney, Legal Rights Center, Minneapolis, 1992
Patricia A. Brummer, Coordinator of Ramsey Volunteer Attorney Program, St. Paul, 1991
Special 25th Anniversary Champion Award (2007)
Peter Knapp, William Mitchell College of Law, 2007