Becker Awards

2025

• Emerging Leader | Renee Charon, Legal Services of Northwest Minnesota
• Legacy of Excellence | Jenny Stohl-Powell, Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota
• Legacy of Excellence | Lenore Millibergity, Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota
• Advocacy Award | Rita J. Ostman, Anishinabe Legal Services
• Law Student Volunteer | Alexandra Loyd, University of Minnesota Law School

2024

• Emerging Leader | Sarah McGuire, Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid
• Legacy Award | Anne Gueinzius, Children’s Law Center
• Advocacy Award | Renee Loxtercamp, Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid
• Law Student Volunteer | Jessica Tanem, Mitchell Hamline

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 Boche, 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 | Anne Applebaum, Immigrant Law Center

• 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