January–February 2004

"Happenings in the 2004 legislative session"—Feb. 18, 2004, Minneapolis Star Tribune
Tim Pawlenty named Susan Heegaard '89 executive director of the Minnesota Higher Education Services Office and will be Pawlenty's main advisor on higher education policies and issues.

"Attorneys of the Year 2003"—Feb. 16, 2004, Minnesota Lawyer
Martin Lueck '84, Judith Rush '91, David Hermerding '93, and Val Jensen '96 were profiled as Minnesota Lawyer's attorneys of the year in a special addition released Feb. 16.

"Change of Venue: A trailblazing Duluth judge is being forced from the bench by a debilitating disease, but she's not abandoning her work with the law"—Feb. 15, 2004, Duluth News Tribune
After a trailblazing career, Judge Carol Person '78 is retiring from the 6th Judicial District bench on Feb. 29, due to rheumatoid arthritis.

"Rwanda genocide defence lawyers begin 3-day strike"—Jan. 28, 2004, Reuters
Prof. C. Peter Erlinder was chosen as spokesperson for lawyers defending those accused of genocide in Rwanda in 1994. The lawyers are striking in protest to demands not being met by defendants, including the right to subpoena witnesses.

"Lobbyist to head DFL Senate majority staff"—Jan. 22, 2004, Minneapolis Star Tribune
Cristine Almeida '00, a lobbyist and attorney at Halleland, Lewis, Nilan, Sipkins & Johnson, was named chief of staff for the DFL Senate majority.

"Judicial election campaigns are already up and running"—Jan. 5, 2004, Minnesota Lawyer
Election campaigns have already begun for many judicial posts, despite the fact that elections are 10 months away. Posts that are up for election include Samuel L. Hanson '65 and Helen M. Meyer '83, Minnesota Supreme Court, and Wilhelmina Wright (member of the William Mitchell board of trustees), Minnesota Court of Appeals.