Bernard P. Becker Awards



Previous Recipients

2023

  • Legacy of Excellence | Lynn Marie Mickelson, Rainbow Health and Gregg Trautwein, Legal Services of Northwest Minnesota
  • Emerging Leader | Taryn Trujillo Risom, Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid. 
  • Advocate | Rachel Albertson, Legal Aid Service of Northeast Minnesota
  • Advocate | Cindy Jarvi, Minnesota Disability Law Center at Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid
  • Law Student | Lexie Robinson, University of Minnesota Law School

2022

  • Legacy of Excellence | Charles Thomas, Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services
  • Emerging Leader | Robyn Meyer-Thompson, Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota
  • Advocate | Luci Russell, Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid
  • Law Student | Zoe Vasiliki Psiakis, University of Minnesota Law School

2021

  • Advocate | Milca Dominguez de Corral, Legal Assistance of Dakota County
  • Emerging Leader | J. Singleton, Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid, Legal Services State Support
  • Law Student | Ashley Meeder, University of Minnesota
  • Legacy of Excellence | Laura Melnick, Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services
  • Legacy of Excellence | Gwen Updegraff, Legal Aid Service of Northeastern Minnesota

2020

  • Advocate | Laueh Roland, Immigrant Law Center
  • Advocate | Pam Manthei, Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid St. Cloud
  • Emerging Leader | Tiffany Doherty-Schooler, Legal Aid Service of Northeastern MN
  • Law Student | Yolanda Wilson Vanveen, Mitchell Hamline
  • Legacy of Excellence | Galen Robinson, Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid Minneapolis 

2019

  • Advocate | Georgia Sherman, Southern MN Regional Legal Services
  • Emerging Leader | Jocylyn Poehler, Southern MN Regional Legal Services
  • Law Student | Kimberly Broche, University of St. Thomas, The Advocates for Human Rights
  • Legacy of Excellence | Michele Garnett McKenzie, The Advocates for Human Rights
  • Legacy of Excellence | Steve Wolfe, Southern MN Regional Legal Services

2018

  • Advocate | Ruth Ruch, Southern MN Regional Legal Services
  • Emerging Leader | Jocylyn Poehler, Southern MN Regional Legal Services
  • Law Student | Mimi Levin, University of St. Thomas, Volunteer Lawyers Network
  • Legacy of Excellence | Gerald Kaluzny, Southern MN Regional Legal Services
  • Legacy of Excellence | Irene Opsahl, Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid

2017

  • Advocate | Elsa Marshall, Legal Services State Support
  • Emerging Leader | Luke Grundman, Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid
  • Law Student | Jessica Grady Federico, Mitchell Hamline
  • Legacy of Excellence | Delaney Russell, Volunteer Lawyers Network

2016

  • Legal Services Staff | Dori Streit, Volunteer Attorney Program
  • Legal Services Staff | Melissa Pfeiffer, Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota
  • Legal Services Staff | Mike Persellin, Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid
  • Law Student | Krzysztof Wysokinski, University of Minnesota

2015

  • Legal Services Staff | Jeannie Willaims, Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services
  • Advocate | J.Lindsay Flint, Cancer Legal Care
  • Law Student | Heather Johnson, William Mitchell

2014

  • Legal Services Staff | Ralonda Mason, Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid
  • Legal Services Staff | Weida Allen, Children's Law Center
  • Law Student | Craig Downs, Hamline University

2013

  • Legal Services Staff | Eve Kritzeck, Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid
  • Legal Services Staff | Lenore Millibergity, Immigrant Law Center
  • Law Student | David Patton, University of Minnesota

2012

  • Legal Services Staff | Anne Hoefgen, Legal Services of Northwest MN
  • Legal Services Staff | Catherine Bushard, Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services
  • Law Student | Adina Florea, William Mitchell

2011

  • Legal Services Staff | Barbara O'Connell, Mid-Minnesota Legal Assistance
  • Legal Services Staff | Sue Pontinen, Volunteer Lawyers Network
  • Law Student | Ashton Boone, Hamline University

2010

  • Legal Services Staff | Judy A. Hollie, Central Minnesota Legal Services
  • Legal Services Staff | Ron Elwood, Legal Services Advocacy Project
  • Law Student | Sanjee Weliwitigoda, William Mitchell

2009

  • Legal Services Staff | Karla Krueger, St. Cloud Area Legal Services
  • Legal Services Staff | Sue Harvey, Legal Services of Northwest Minnesota
  • Law Student | Sarah McBroom, William Mitchell

2008

  • Legal Services Staff | Kathy Holen, Mid-Minnesota Legal Assistance
  • Legal Services Staff | Kathy Wingen, Central Minnesota Legal Services
  • Law Student | Anne Hansen, William Mitchell

2007

  • Legal Services Staff | Kathleen Davis, Mid-Minnesota Legal Assistance
  • Legal Services Staff | Robert Youngerman, Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services
  • Law Student | Sarah Pollex, University of Minnesota, Volunteer Lawyers Network

2006

  • Legal Services Staff | Judith Sedin, Legal Aid Service of Northeast Minnesota
  • Legal Services Staff | Judy King, Central Minnesota Legal Services
  • Law Student | Franklin Gould, University of Minnesota, Volunteer Lawyers Network

2005

  • Legal Services Staff | Camille Hurtado, Legal Services of Northwest MN 
  • Legal Services Staff | Doug Clark, St. Cloud Area Legal Services
  • Law Student | Ahmed Teleb, William Mitchell, MLSC
  • Law Student | Morgan Vaillant, Hamline, Volunteer Lawyers Network

2004

  • Legal Services Staff | Mary Russom, Legal Aid Service of Northeast Minnesota 
  • Legal Services Staff | Maureen O'Connell, Legal Service Advocacy Project
  • Law Student | Elizabeth Lopez, University of St. Thomas

2003-2002

  • Legal Services Staff | Larry Nicol, Southern Minnesota Legal Services 
  • Legal Services Staff | Mescal Urich, Legal Aid Society of Minneapolis
  • Law Student | Douglas Kluver, University of Minnesota

2001

  • Legal Services Staff | Sherry Gruenhagen, Legal Services of Northwest Minnesota
  • Legal Services Staff | Ted Hinnenkamp, Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services
  • Law Student | Reid Goldetsky, Hamline

2000

  • Legal Services Staff | Luther Granquist, MMLA
  • Legal Services Staff | Mary Stoos, Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services
  • Law Student | Brian Geis, Hamline

1999-1998

  • Legal Services Staff | Michael Hagedorn, Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services
  • Law Student | Southea Phea Poch, Hamline, Cambodian Legal Services

1998-1997

  • Legal Services Staff | Judith Elwell, Legal Aid Service of Northeastern Minnesota
  • Legal Services Staff | Karen Ellingson, Immigran Law Center of MN
  • Legal Services Staff | Mary Judd Scott, Legal Aid Society of Minneapolis Community Legal Education Program
  • Law Student | Katherine Samsa, William Mitchell, Ramsey County Volunteer Attorney Program & MJF
  • Law Student | Morris Moon, William Mitchell, Volunteer Lawyers Network

1997-1996

  • Legal Services Staff | Laurie Davison, Mid-Minnesota Legal Assistance
  • Legal Services Staff | Luz Frias, Centro Legal
  • Law Student | Christopher Rediehs, University of Minneosta, Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights

1996-1995

  • Legal Services Staff | Roger Cobb, Mid-Minnesota Legal Assistance
  • Legal Services Staff | Margaret Fanselle, Legal Aid Service of North Western Minnesota
  • Law Student |Stephen Succio, Hamline, Legal Aid Society of Minneapolis

1995-1994

  • Legal Services Staff | Chuck Thomas, Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services
  • Legal Services Staff | Doris Slaughter, Legal Aid Society of Minneapolis
  • Legal Services Staff | Martha Eaves, Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services
  • Law Student | Mary Elizabeth Callaghan, University of Minnesota, Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services, Legal Aid Society of Minneapolis, MJF, Domestic Abuse Project

1994-1993

  • Legal Services Staff | Douglas Johnson, Legal Services of Northwest Minnesota
  • Legal Services Staff | Tonja Orr, Legal Services Advocacy Project
  • Law Student | Michael Herold, Hamline, Minnesota AIDS Project

1993-1992

  • Legal Services Staff | Jan Werness, Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services
  • Legal Services Staff | Mary Overton, Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services
  • Law Student | Christy Rain, William Mitchell, Legal Assistance of Olmsted County

1992-1991

  • Legal Services Staff | Ann Cofell, St. Cloud Area Legal Services
  • Legal Services Staff | Mary Smith, Anishinabe Legal Services
  • Legal Services Staff | Mary Spaldy, Anishinabe Legal Services
  • Law Student | Robert Tyberg, University of Minnesota, East Central Legal Services

1991-1990

  • Legal Services Staff | Anne Henry, Minnesota Disability Law Center
  • Legal Services Staff | Karla Abdo, Legal Services of Northwest Minnesota
  • Legal Services Staff | Mark Bohnhorst, Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services
  • Law Student | Geoff Hathaway, University of Minnesota, MJF, LRAP