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Minnesota Coalition of Bar Associations of Color
December 2, 2020
Agenda
2
• Welcome and Today’s Announcements
• Twin Cities Legal D&I Data Project
• Hon. Michael J. Davis Keynote Remarks
• Comments from Project Advisors
• Comments from MN-CBAC Leaders
• Q&A
Introducing …• Who?
• The Minnesota Coalition of Bar Associations of Color (MN-CBAC)
• What?• MABL, MHBA, MNAPABA and MAIBA are coming together to advance
issues of common interest and concern; provide mutual support and professional development; and collectively improve the legal profession and access to justice in Minnesota
• Today, MN-CBAC is publishing D&I data for the large law firms and corporate law departments in Minnesota
• Where? Here!
• When? Now!
• Why?• The time is right for our bar associations of color to show solidarity,
amplify their voices and be stronger together
• What gets measured gets done – transparency of D&I representation data will promote accountability
• How?• The law firm data were obtained with permission from the National
Association of Law Placement; the corporate law department data were provided voluntarily
• The “market availability” data show the representation of the relevant group in the U.S. legal market
3
Thank you to …• Bar Association Presidents
• MABL – Frank Aba-Onu• MHBA – Zuri Balmakund Santiago• MNAPABA – Sukanya Momsen • MAIBA – Arielle Wagner
• Project Advisors• Ann Anaya, 3M• Jerry Blackwell, Blackwell Burke• Hon. Michael Davis, U.S. District Court• Ivan Fong, 3M• Hon. Tony Leung, U.S. District Court• Don Liu, Target• Tom Nelson, Stinson• Hon. Peter Reyes, MN Court of Appeals• Anna Richo, Cargill
• Data Analysis Team• Yen Florczak, 3M• Peg Lundquist, 3M• Cheryl Muellner, 3M• Eric Rucker, 3M
• Project Supporters• Roger Maldonado, Diversity Report Committee (DRC)• Summra Shariff, Twin Cities Diversity in Practice (TCDIP)
4
5
Law firms and corporate law departments(2019 NALP data for law firms)
Note: Fredrikson & Byron, P.A. would have been included, but for the lack of Twin Cities demographic data for the firm on NALP.
Firm
Attorneys
in MN
Faegre Baker Daniels LLP 290
Dorsey & Whitney LLP 237
Stinson LLP 161
Robins Kaplan LLP 146
Gray Plant Mooty 142
Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP 140
Winthrop & Weinstine, P.A. 128
Maslon LLP 91
Ballard Spahr LLP 83
Fox Rothschild LLP 77
Nilan Johnson Lewis PA 51
Jones Day 45
Fish & Richardson P.C. 41
Fabyanske, Westra, Hart & Thomson, P. A. 40
Felhaber, Larson, Fenlon & Vogt, PA 39
Carlson Caspers 32
Barnes & Thornburg LLP 28
Stoel Rives 26
Company
Attorneys
in MN
United Health Group 126
3M 98
Medtronic 73
Target 70
Cargill 41
Best Buy 39
General Mills 31
Xcel Energy 23
Ecolab 23
6
Representation of Women
Firms
Source: NALP Directory of Legal Employers – 2019 data
Companies
7
Ethnic and Racial Representation
Firms
Source: NALP Directory of Legal Employers – 2019 data
Companies
8
Black / African American Representation
Firms
Source: NALP Directory of Legal Employers – 2019 data
Companies
9
Hispanic / Latino Representation
Firms
Source: NALP Directory of Legal Employers – 2019 data
Companies
10
Asian Representation
Firms
Source: NALP Directory of Legal Employers – 2019 data
Companies
11
Native American / Alaskan Native Representation
Firms
Source: NALP Directory of Legal Employers – 2019 data
Companies
12
2018 – 2019 YOY Change
Representation of Women Ethnic & Racial Representation
Firms Firms
Source: NALP Directory of Legal Employers – 2018 & 2019 data Source: NALP Directory of Legal Employers – 2018 & 2019 data
13
Ethnic and Racial Representation
Firms
Source: NALP Directory of Legal Employers – 2019 data
Companies
14
Keynote Remarks – Hon. Michael J. Davis
15
Ann Anaya -Chief Diversity Officer and Global Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Lead for 3M
Jerry Blackwell –Founder and Chairman of Blackwell Burke
Judge Tony N. Leung – Federal Magistrate Judge, U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota
Don H. Liu –Executive Vice President and Chief Legal & Risk Officer for Target Corporation
Thomas F. NelsonPartner, Stinson
Anna Richo -Corporate Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer and Corporate Secretary for Cargill
Comments from Project Advisors
Judge Peter Reyes, Jr. –Minnesota Court of Appeals
16
Frank Aba-Onu
MABL
Zuri Balmakund
MHBA
Roger Maldonado
DRC
Sukanya Momsen
MNAPABA
Arielle Wagner
MAIBA
Summra Shariff
TCDIP
Comments from Bar Association Leaders
FIRM Total No. (All Attorneys)
Total No. Diverse1
(All Attorneys)Total % Diverse
(All Attorneys)
Arthur Chapman Kettering Smetak & Pikala 49 2 4.08%
Bassford Remele 52 3 5.77%
Dorsey & Whitney 248 31 12.50%
Fox Rothschild 75 10 13.33%
Fredrikson & Bryon 280 27 9.64%
Larkin Hoffman 74 6 8.11%
Maslon 90 10 11.11%
Messerli Kramer 59 14 23.73%
Nilan Johnson Lewis 61 16 26.23%
Robins Kaplan 139 27 19.42%
Schwegman Lundberg & Woessner 56 9 16.07%
Schumaker & Sieffert 33 5 15.15%
Stinson 149 21 14.09%
Winthrop & Weinstine 143 10 6.99%
Winthrop & Weinstine
Stinson
Schwegman Lundberg & Woessner
Schumaker & Sieffert
Robins Kaplan
Nilan Johnson Lewis
Messerli Kramer
Maslon
Larkin Hoffman
Fredrikson & Bryon
Fox Rothschild
Dorsey & Whitney
Bassford Remele
Arthur Chapman Kettering Smetak & Pikala
0.00% 5.00% 10.00% 15.00% 20.00% 25.00% 30.00%
% Diverse
FIRM
Afr. American/
Black
Hispanic/Latino
Asian/Asian American
Native Am.Hawai'lan/
Pac. IslanderTwo or More
LGBTQIA (Angelo/
White)
LGBTQIA (Racial
Minority)*
TOTAL
Ma
le
Fe
ma
le
3rd
Ge
nd
er
Ma
le
Fe
ma
le
3rd
Ge
nd
er
Ma
le
Fe
ma
le
3rd
Ge
nd
er
Ma
le
Fe
ma
le
3rd
Ge
nd
er
Ma
le
Fe
ma
le
3rd
Ge
nd
er
Ma
le
Fe
ma
le
3rd
Ge
nd
er
Ma
le
Fe
ma
le
3rd
Ge
nd
er
Ma
le
Fe
ma
le
3rd
Ge
nd
er
Arthur Chapman Kettering Smetak & Pikala 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
Bassford Remele 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 3
Dorsey & Whitney 0 2 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 1 0 0 0 0 10
Fox Rothschild 0 2 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 1 0 0 0 0 10
Fredrikson & Bryon 3 3 0 3 2 0 3 7 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 0 1 1 0 27
Larkin Hoffman 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6
Maslon 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 10
Messerli Kramer 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 3 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 14
Nilan Johnson Lewis 2 1 0 3 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 2 2 0 1 0 0 16
Robins Kaplan 4 2 0 2 2 0 5 6 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 27
Schwegman Lundberg & Woessner 1 0 0 1 0 0 3 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9
Schumaker & Sieffert 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5
Stinson 1 3 0 1 2 0 2 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 4 2 0 0 0 0 21
Winthrop & Weinstine 1 0 0 1 1 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 10
20
Frank Aba-Onu
MABL
Zuri Balmakund
MHBA
Roger Maldonado
DRC
Sukanya Momsen
MNAPABA
Arielle Wagner
MAIBA
Summra Shariff
TCDIP
Comments from Bar Association Leaders
Summra Shariff
What data does TCDIP collect?
Using an adapted version of the ABA Diversity Model Survey, we request data for the Twin Cities and United States from each member organization in 7 areas and by job titles:
1. General demographics (race/ethnicity, gender expression, LGBTQ status, etc.)
2. Leadership and Management3. Promotions4. Attrition and Hiring5. Work Schedules6. Compensation7. Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives
Who provides data?
For 2019:• 36 Law Firms• 11 Corporate Legal Departments
Summra Shariff
Summra Shariff
What does TCDIP do with the data?
• Raise awareness to activate change
• Continue to innovate and drive forward our mission to attract, recruit, advance and retain attorneys of color in the Twin Cities
• Share and implement best practices across our membership
• Measure and track national and regional progress
Summra Shariff
Where can you find TCDIP’s data?
All reports are available on www.diversityinpractice.org
• 2018 Law Firm Report• 2018 Corporate Report• 2019 Law Firm Report• 2019 Corporate Report
25. All Rights Reserved.2 December 2020© 3M 3M Confidential.
Q&A
UZODIMA FRANK ABA-ONU LEGAL COUNSEL, PRIME THERAPEUTICS
Mr. Aba-Onu is Legal Counsel for Prime Therapeutics. As Legal Counsel, Mr. Aba-Onu primarily collaborates with Prime’s Human Resources and Real Estate and Facilities teams as a subject matter specialist to assist with compliance, litigation concerns, related rules and regulations, and assuring a transparent and fair work-place environment. Mr. Aba-Onu graduated cum laude from the University of St. Thomas School of Law, where he currently serves as an adjunct professor teaching employment law. He formerly served as an adjunct professor at Mitchell Hamline School of Law and Hamline University. Mr. Aba-Onu is currently the President of the Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers. Mr. Aba-Onu is also an appointed member to the Committee for Equality and serves on the Board of Directors for the Federal Bar Association, Minnesota Chapter, and St. Stephen’s Human Services. Prior to joining Prime Therapeutics, Mr. Aba-Onu was a Shareholder at Bassford Remele. Prior to that, he was an Assistant Attorney General, gaining knowledge on mental health, licensing, and other health care-related matters, as well as the Minnesota Implied Consent Law.
ANN ANAYA Ann Anaya joined 3M Company in 2013 and is currently the Chief Diversity Officer and Global Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Lead. Ann started her career at 3M in Legal Affairs Compliance and Business Conduct group where she served clients as Counsel for Investigation. Subsequently, she moved into the Legal Affairs Litigation and Preventive Law group where she was Senior Counsel. In 2020 and 2019, Ann was recognized as a Top 50 Chief Diversity Officer, in 2018 as a Top Executive in Corporate Diversity, 2017 Minnesota Lawyer of the Year for Diversity and Inclusion, 2016 3Mgives Volunteer Award and 2016 Minnesota Lawyer of the Year. Ann has an undergraduate degree in Political Science and a law degree from University of Minnesota. Ann has over 20 years of experience as a trial lawyer and has held various positions with state and federal government. Just prior to joining 3M, Ann was an Assistant United States Attorney for the Department of Justice in the District of Minnesota. Ann was born and raised in Minnesota, is married, and has two children.
ZURI BALMAKUND SANTIAGO Zuri Balmakund Santiago, is an Assistant Attorney General with the Office of the Minnesota Attorney General. She practices both criminal and civil law, and is currently assigned to the Human Services Division, where she represents the Department of Human Services on a variety of litigation matters including civil lawsuits, reductions in commitment, and fraud and abuse appeals. Before joining the Attorney General's Office, Zuri was an Assistant County Attorney at the Hennepin County Attorney's Office, where she prosecuted drug and firearm crimes, and litigated child protection cases. Zuri's experience includes numerous criminal and administrative trials along with hundreds of contested hearings. She is also the President of the Minnesota Hispanic Bar Association and a proud member of the organization since 2011.
Jerry W. Blackwell is the Founding Partner and Chair of Blackwell Burke P.A. Mr. Blackwell serves as national counsel and trial counsel in complex litigation cases around the country and has recently accepted an appointment to serve as a special prosecutor in the State v. Chauvin et al. prosecution involving the death of George Floyd. He is a founder of the Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers and served for eight years as an at-large member of the Minnesota Commission on Judicial Appointments during the Governor Mark Dayton administration. Mr. Blackwell is the recipient of numerous recognitions for community service and excellence in the practice of law.
Biography of Judge Michael J. Davis
Judge Michael J. Davis was appointed by President Clinton and took the oath of office on March 30, 1994. He was Chief Judge of the District of Minnesota from July 1, 2008, to June 30, 2015. He was the first African-American federal judge in Minnesota. Judge Davis graduated from Macalester College in 1969 and the University of Minnesota Law School in 1972. He served as a criminal defense lawyer at the Neighborhood Justice Center in St. Paul, Legal Rights Center in Minneapolis, and as an Assistant Public Defender in Hennepin County. From 1983 to 1994, Judge Davis was a Minnesota state court trial judge. He was an Adjunct Professor at the University of Minnesota Law School from 1982-2013. He has lectured at Oxford University and the FBI Academy. In 1999, Chief Justice Rehnquist appointed Judge Davis to the United States Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court for a seven-year term. Judge Davis received an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree in 2001 from Macalester College, and in 1989, he received the Outstanding Alumni Award. He was awarded the 2004 Judicial Professionalism Award by the Hennepin County Bar Association. Judge Davis served as President of the Minnesota Chapter of the Federal Bar Association 2004-05. In 2013, he was awarded the President’s Award by the Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers. In 2014, he received the Lifetime Leadership Award from Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services, Inc. In 2015, Judge Davis was awarded the Trailblazer Award from the Minneapolis Urban League. In January 2016, Judge Davis received the 2016 Lifetime Local Legend Award at the 26th Annual MLK Holiday Breakfast and that same day, he also received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Governor Mark Dayton’s Council on the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday. In September 2016, the National Federal Bar Association awarded Judge Davis the Sarah T. Hughes Civil Rights Award for his work promoting the advancement of civil and human rights. In 2019, he was awarded Macalester College’s 2019 Catharine Lealtad Class of 1915 Service to Society Award. He is on the Board of Emeritus Trustees for the University of Minnesota Foundation; an Advisory Board Member of the Jack Mason Law and Democracy Initiative, a project of Books for Africa; a Board Member for the Legal Rights Center; a Board Member for the Neighborhood Justice Center; on the Board of Counselors for Equal Justice Works; on the Board of Trustees for Macalester College; and on the Executive Council of the Minnesota Historical Society.
YEN T. FLORCZAK Biographical Summary Statement
Yen Florczak was appointed Chief Intellectual Property Counsel for 3M Company and President of 3M Innovative Properties Company in June 2019. She currently serves as 3M’s Legal Affairs executive sponsor for its Diversity and Inclusion group as well as its Inclusion Champion for 3M Company. Prior to the appointment, from June 2016, she led 3M’s Asia Pacific IP team and was based in Shanghai, China. Yen has held various IP positions in her more than 20 years of experience with 3M having had assignments in each of 3M’s four business groups. Before entering the legal profession, Yen gained experience as an engineer at 3M and at Abbott Laboratories.
Yen’s education background includes a J.D. degree from the University of Minnesota Law School. Additionally, she earned two Bachelor of Science degrees from the University of Minnesota, a first in Chemical Engineering and a second in Materials Science and Engineering.
Ivan Fong Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary
3M Center, Bldg. 0220-14-W-07 St. Paul, MN 55144 -1000 Phone: (651) 737-0770 Email: [email protected]
Ivan Fong is Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary of the 3M Company.
In that role, he oversees all legal, legal policy, compliance and global security matters for the company. Prior to joining 3M in October 2012, Ivan was nominated by President Obama and confirmed by the Senate to serve as General Counsel of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. He was previously Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of Cardinal Health, Inc.; Senior Vice President and General Counsel of GE Vendor Financial Services; and GE’s first Chief Privacy Leader and Senior Counsel, Information Technology. Ivan also previously served as Deputy Associate Attorney General at the U.S. Department of Justice, an adjunct professor at Georgetown Law, and a partner with the firm of Covington & Burling. He began his legal career as a law clerk to Judge Abner J. Mikva of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit and Justice Sandra Day O’Connor of the U.S. Supreme Court.
Ivan is active in his community and currently serves on the boards of Equal Justice
Works and Minnesota Public Radio. He has been named one of “America’s 50 Outstanding General Counsel” by the National Law Journal and is a member of the Council of the American Law Institute. He has received, among other honors, the Spirit of Excellence Award from the American Bar Association; the Justice-in-Action Award from the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund; a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Minnesota Lawyer; the Trailblazer Award from the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association; and a Meritorious Public Service Award from the U.S. Coast Guard.
Ivan received a B.C.L. with first class honors from Oxford University, where he was a
Fulbright Scholar; a J.D. (with distinction) from Stanford Law School, where he was president of the Stanford Law Review; and an S.B. in chemical engineering and S.M. in chemical engineering practice from MIT, where he was chairman of the editorial board of the student newspaper and elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He is a registered patent attorney.
Judge Tony N. Leung Biography (20.09.08)
The Honorable Tony N. Leung is the first Asian Pacific American judge in
Minnesota. He is currently a federal Magistrate Judge in the United States District
Court for the District of Minnesota, appointed in 2011. Before his appointment to
the federal bench, Judge Leung served for nearly 17 years as a state District Court
Judge in Minnesota’s Fourth Judicial District in Hennepin County. He was first
appointed to the state bench by Governor Arne H. Carlson in 1994. Prior to his
elevation to the Hennepin County bench, he was an equity partner at the law firm
now named Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath. Judge Leung received his bachelor's
degree with honors from Yale University and juris doctor from New York
University School of Law. He was born in Hong Kong and immigrated to America
with his family as a child.
Don H. Liu Executive Vice President and
Chief Legal & Risk Officer Target Corporation 1000 Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis, MN 55403
Don H. Liu is Executive Vice President and Chief Legal & Risk Officer for Target Corporation. In this role, reporting directly to Brian Cornell, Chairman and CEO, he is responsible for all of Target's legal, government affairs and risk and compliance functions. Prior to joining Target, Mr. Liu was Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of Xerox Corporation. Previously, Mr. Liu was Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer for Toll Brothers, Inc. and Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of IKON Office Solutions, where he was also IKON’s Corporate Compliance Officer and Chair of IKON Diversity Council. Before joining IKON, Mr. Liu was Vice President and Deputy Chief Legal Officer of Aetna U.S. Healthcare (and its predecessor entity, U.S. Healthcare). Prior to becoming in-house counsel, he worked as an associate at two New York City law firms from 1987 to 1992, specializing in securities and mergers and acquisitions – first at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett and then at Richards & O’Neil (now Bingham McCutchen). He served as a Law Clerk to Justice Stewart G. Pollock at the Supreme Court of New Jersey. His professional affiliations include serving on the Board of Managers of Haverford College and the Board of Directors for CaringBridge, a nonprofit dedicated to helping people during a health journey. He is also a former member and the former Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Minority Corporate Counsel Association (a non-profit organization promoting diversity in the practice of law); former Vice Chair of the Asian American Diversity Advisory Council and a former member of the Executive Committee of the Joint Diversity Council, Comcast Corporation; a former member of the Board of Directors of the Visiting Nurse & Hospice of Fairfield County; a former member of the New York Stock Exchange Commission on Corporate Governance; a former member of the Board of Directors of Association of Corporate Counsel; a founder and a member of the Advisory Board of MoreBank (an ethnic community bank); a member of the American Law Institute; a former member of the Board of Trustees of Mercy Health System (a Catholic hospital chain); a former member of the Board of Directors of the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund; and former Chair of the In-House Counsel Committee of National Asian Pacific American Bar Association. He is the recipient of America’s Top General Counsel Honor from NYSE Euronext’s Corporate Board Member, National Law Journal - America's 50 Outstanding General Counsel recognition, the Legend in Law Award from the Burton Foundation and The Library of Congress, the Pinnacle Award from the Asian American Business Development Center, Inside Counsel magazine’s Transformative Leadership Award, Connecticut Law Tribune’s Legal Department of the Year – In-House Counsel Management Award, MCCA/America Lawyer Media Diversity Award, the Edwin Archer Randolph Diversity Award from the Lawyers Collaborative for Diversity, the Spirit of Asian America Award from the Asian American Federation, the Diversity Award from ABA’s Council on Legal Education Opportunity, the Justice in Action Award from the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund, the ICON Award from the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association,
the Founders Award from the Asian American Lawyers Association of Massachusetts, the Achievement Award from Asian Pacific American Lawyers Association of New Jersey, and the Business Leadership Award from the Korean American Coalition. Born in Seoul, Korea, Mr. Liu and his family immigrated to the U.S. in 1972. He received his B.A. degree in Philosophy and Religion from Haverford College with Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa honors. He earned his J.D. from Columbia University School of Law, where he was a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar.
ROGER MALDONADO Roger Maldonado is an associate in Faegre Drinker’s finance and restructuring group. Along with the firm’s integrated team of transactional, restructuring and financial litigation lawyers, Roger helps clients find the most effective and efficient solutions to the complex issues they face. Roger is an experienced navigator of complex issues in the area of bankruptcy law, equipment leasing issues, receiverships and related commercial litigation. He regularly represents trustees, creditors, equipment lease lenders, investment firms, and financial institutions in state and federal courts. During law school, Roger completed an externship with Honorable Michael J. Davis, Chief Judge in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota. A member of the Minnesota Army National Guard since 2000, Roger is a Captain and a combat veteran who served in military deployments in Iraq.
SUKANYA MOMSEN ASSOCIATE CORPORATE COUNSEL, BEST BUY
Sukanya Momsen is Associate Corporate Counsel at Best Buy in the Advertising and Marketing law group. She works closely with Geek Squad Services on advertising compliance from project ideation to completion, reviewing all customer-facing and employee-facing collateral and drafting terms and conditions. She also drafts and negotiates contracts to advertise Geek Squad services on third-party platforms. In addition to her position at Best Buy, Sukanya is President of the Minnesota Asian Pacific American Bar Association. She is also a board member of the Association of Corporate Counsel (an organization dedicated to advancing the professional and business interests of in-house counsel), and a committee member of the Minnesota Women Lawyers and a local nonprofit called Cookie Cart. Sukanya has also worked as an employment lawyer at Nilan Johnson Lewis and as a judicial law clerk on the Minnesota Court of Appeals for the Honorable Judge Louise Dovre Bjorkman. Sukanya graduated Order of the Coif, magna cum laude from the University of Minnesota Law School and summa cum laude from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities.
THOMAS F. NELSON Tom Nelson is the immediate past president of the Minnesota State Bar Association, having served previously as the president of the Hennepin County Bar Association. He is a partner with the Stinson law firm in Minneapolis. He has served on the MSBA Diversity and Inclusion Leadership Council and the Federal Bar Association Diversity Committee, and also served as the co-chair of his firm's Diversity Initiative. He currently serves as a member of the Collaborative Legal Community Coalition, a unique coalition dedicated to marking and learning from the 1920 Duluth lynchings, the Max Mason posthumous pardon, and a wide range of related educational initiatives. He was honored by the Minnesota Lawyer as a recipient of its Diversity and Inclusion Legacy Award, and by his firm as its annual Diversity Champion.
Peter M. Reyes, Jr.
Judge
Minnesota Court of Appeals
The Honorable Peter M. Reyes, Jr. is a judge on the Minnesota Court of Appeals. He began his career as a judicial law clerk for the Honorable Salvador M. Rosas. He then worked as an associate at Robins Kaplan, as a senior Intellectual Property lawyer at Cargill, Incorporated and as a partner at Barnes & Thornburg LLP.
Judge Reyes is an active member of a number of state, national, and international bar associations and nonprofit organizations. He served as president of the Minnesota Hispanic Bar Association (MHBA) from 2000-2003 and national president of the Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA) from 2012-2013. Judge Reyes is active in the American Bar Association (ABA) and the International Association of Lawyers (UIA).
Among his recognitions, Minnesota Lawyer named Judge Reyes as one of the “Attorneys of the Year” in 2001, 2012, 2016, and 2017, and as a recipient of the inaugural “Diversity & Inclusion Award” in 2017. In 2012 and 2013, Poder Magazine named him as one of the 100 Most Influential Hispanics in America. Judge Reyes received the Ohtli Award in 2016, the highest award given out by the Mexican government to a non-Mexican citizen. He received the “HNBA Latino Judge of the Year Award” in 2018. And in 2019, Judge Reyes received the “MHBA Courage in Leadership Award” and the ABA “Spirit of Excellence Award.”
Judge Reyes received his undergraduate degree in Chemistry from the University of St. Thomas and his law degree from Mitchell-Hamline College of Law, graduating with Honors.
Anna Richo joined Cargill in January 2019 as General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer and Corporate Secretary, and oversees Corporate Governance, Derivatives & Commodities Compliance, Global Ethics & Compliance, Global Security, Government Relations, Law, and Shareholder Relations. Additionally, Anna is a member of Cargill’s Executive Team and a member of the Board of Directors of the Cargill Foundation. With a law career spanning more than 30 years, Anna is used to wearing multiple hats. She has extensive experience in compliance and business ethics, intellectual property and corporate litigation.
Before joining Cargill, Anna was executive vice president and general counsel at UCB, a biopharmaceutical company based in Belgium, where she resided for many years. She also served as senior vice president and chief compliance officer at Amgen, a global biotechnology firm, and as chief litigation counsel, associate general counsel and vice president of law at Baxter Healthcare. Her broad international experience extends throughout Europe, Latin America and Asia and has served to strengthen her commitment to championing diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
A native New Yorker, Anna holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial and labor relations from Cornell University and a J.D. degree from DePaul University, College of Law.
Anna is a member of the Board of Trustees for DePaul University and is a member of the Board of Directors of Adamas Pharmaceuticals. Anna formerly served as a member of the Board of Directors of Cytyc Corporation, a medical diagnostics company, from 1998 – 2003, subsequently acquired by Hologic Inc. She was a member of the Audit and Finance Committees. Additionally, Anna served on the Board of Directors for the California Manufacturers & Technology Association, a statewide nonprofit association, from 2000 – 2003. She was Vice-Chairman of the Board.
Anna is passionate about mentoring others in all types of careers and from all walks of life. In her free time, you can find her at the stables supporting her husband’s equestrian riding and relishing the serenity that horses emanate. She and her husband have two adult children and reside in Minnesota.
ANNA RICHO
Corporate Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer and Corporate Secretary
ERIC J. RUCKER ASSISTANT GENERAL COUNSEL, LITIGATION
Eric Rucker is Assistant General Counsel, Litigation in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he manages product liability and commercial litigation. Eric also provides product liability prevention training and gives advice on product labelling, warning, and warranty issues. He also Chairs the 3M Legal Affairs Diversity & Inclusion Committee. Prior to joining 3M, Eric was a litigation attorney with Briggs and Morgan, P.A. in Minneapolis, where he focused on mass tort, product liability, financial services, and complex commercial litigation matters. Eric serves on the Campaign for Legal Aid Board for Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services. J.D., University of Minnesota Law School, Minneapolis, MN 1993 B.A., Hamline University, St. Paul, MN 1990
Summra M. Shariff Executive Director and President In 2004, Summra Shariff learned the true meaning of the word “cold” when she moved from Los Angeles to Minneapolis, excited to start law school. She was amazed to learn that humans can live, thrive, and have fun in temperatures well below zero. She also learned that to survive in Minnesota, you have to wear layers, find community, and make friends. When she is not walking on frozen lakes, cooking spicy food, and spoiling her niece, Summra serves as the Executive Director and President of Twin Cities Diversity in Practice (TCDIP). Since taking on the position in 2018, Summra has built on the organization’s past successes by re-energizing and revamping programming at all levels to maximize TCDIP’s ability to attract, recruit, advance, and retain attorneys of color in the Twin Cities. For example, she restructured the Emerging Leaders Group (ELG) to better reflect its mission to create a stronger community of early-career diverse lawyers. The renewed ELG provides rising lawyers of color with expanded opportunities for business development, mentorship, networking, and leadership positions. Summra has worked with the Board and all the committees to review and refresh TCDIP programs, initiatives, operations, and relationships among stakeholders at all levels of the organization. She looks forward to continuing to strengthen TCDIP’s work and relationships in the community. Prior to her work with TCDIP, Summra worked with underrepresented groups, including with communities of color. For close to five years, she served as Diversity and Inclusion and Pro Bono Coordinator for a national law firm. She is a former long-term member of the Minnesota Justice Foundation’s Board and Executive Committee and a former board member for the Housing Justice Center. She also formerly held a leadership role with the Minnesota Asian Pacific American Bar Association. Summra continues to be active in the legal community by serving as Vice-Chair for The National Association for Law Placement (NALP) Diversity and Inclusion Section and by serving on the board of Gender Justice and on the Minnesota Supreme Court’s Legal Services Advisory Committee.
ARIELLE STRONG WAGNER
Arielle Strong Wagner concentrates her practice in the firm’s antitrust, data breach, and tribal government representation groups. Arielle represents consumers, small businesses, and tribes in complex litigation throughout the United States.
Arielle currently serves as President of the Minnesota American Indian Bar Association, and as a Director on the Board of the National Native American Bar Association. She is passionate about issues related to diversity and inclusion in the legal industry and helps lead the firm’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee.
Arielle is from the Lake Vermilion Reservation in Tower, Minnesota (population 500). She is an enrolled citizen of the Bois Forte Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.
