Ryan Bies was appointed as a District Court Judge in Minnesota’s First Judicial District. Formerly a shareholder at Dougherty, Molenda, Solfest, Hills & Bauer P.A., he brings broad family, criminal, and civil law experience to the bench. Classmate Michael Harralson, (pictured left), attended Judge Bies’s investiture ceremony.
Teddy Michel and his wife Cindy welcomed Charles “Charlie” Walter Michel in May 2026. Charlie joins siblings Nicholas and Sage, and is officially the most loved baby ever. Teddy continues as Director of the Ignatian Volunteer Corps of Northeastern Pennsylvania and has the good fortune to be on a ZOOM meeting weekly with Chuck Berendes, who consults virtually with IVC immigration caseworkers.
Angie Hoppe Schuda J.D. ’07, LL.M. ’20 launched Ross + Schuda LLC, a risk management consulting firm serving companies across industries. With 20+ years of experience in law, compliance, ethics, and risk management, Angie helps organizations operate with integrity and confidence— basically, sunscreen for corporate liability.
2007 Send your 2007 class notes and photos to Chuck Berendes (chuckberendes@gmail.com). ______________________________ I remember years ago being encouraged to make my updates a bit more serious so they better reflected the academic rigor of the institution. I’m glad St. Thomas Law’s reputation is now strong enough that these updates can simply be enjoyed for the entertainment value they may occasionally provide—without risking a drop in the rankings. Adam Cox co-founded Prairie View Wealth Partners, an independent wealth management firm in Sioux Falls serving individuals and families building careers, businesses, and legacies. Adam and his partners bring decades of experience in investment management, tax strategy, and family office advising to the firm’s relationship-driven approach. David Hanson has served as Beltrami County Attorney in Bemidji since 2018 while also expanding into real estate investment. In 2025, he purchased the SouthShore Hotel on Lake Bemidji, the DoubleTree by Hilton, and the Green Mill Bar & Restaurant— covering prosecutions, lodging, tiny bars of soap, and French fries alike.
Bill Josten joined Honigman as Director of Client Value and Commercial Strategy. Bill focuses on client needs, aligning the firm’s legal services with evolving client business objectives. Bill leverages deep market and commercial expertise to partner with firm leaders in developing client-focused, competitive service strategies.
After seven years as St. Thomas Law’s Director of Alumni Relations and Student Life, Gloria Myre moved into a new role as Senior Director for Career and Professional Development. Chris Nelson is now President of the Catholic Community Foundation of Minnesota, which stewards charitable resources for Catholic individuals, families, parishes, and institutions. After more than seven years with the Foundation, Chris now leads its mission of helping Catholics express faith through giving.
Meriel Lester became a District Court Judge in Minnesota’s Seventh Judicial District. Former Assistant Chief of the Stearns County Criminal Division, she led intimate partner violence prosecutions and helped develop the county’s Domestic Violence Court. Meanwhile, I’m trying to remember to post on social media three times a week.
Jenny Bouta Mojica was named a Shareholder at Fredrikson. A member of the firm’s Immigration Group, she advises
employers and employees on complex employment- based immigration matters, developing creative strategies and guiding clients through an evolving immigration landscape.
Summer 2026 Page 25
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