Contact:
Dan Mogelson (St. Paul)
651-695-3189
dmogelson@stpaulfed.org
Twin Cities Cardozo Society
The Twin Cities Cardozo Society is a place for Jewish attorneys, judges and law students to network and serve the community. We strengthen bonds among legal professionals through educational, social and philanthropic activities, and offer opportunities for communal involvement and leadership.
Join us for:
- Events—from rooftop networking sessions, to thought-provoking lunch-time discussions, to our annual flagship event, The Twin Cities Cardozo Society Annual Dinner.
- Volunteering—for example, through our pro bono legal clinic.
- Decision making, through service on committees and in leadership positions
- Supporting the needs of the Jewish community—donors who join the Leadership Circle ($3,600) and Honor Roll ($1,200) receive additional recognition throughout the year.
Twin Cities Cardozo Society Received Inaugural Interfaith Progress Award
The Twin Cities Cardozo Society was honored, along with partners Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church and Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (SMRLS), by Interfaith Action of Greater Saint Paul with the first Interfaith Progress Award for the Power-Up Legal Aid Clinic. The award was presented at Interfaith Action’s Annual Assembly on May 11, 2017.
Launched in October 2016, The Power-Up Legal Clinic is operated twice a month on Thursday afternoons at Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church in St. Paul. The walk-in clinic provides free legal advice for individuals who cannot afford legal services. Cardozo Society attorneys volunteer their time to provide pro bono counsel to clients on a walk-in basis. Attorneys from SMRLS provide backup assistance. Volunteer attorneys typically see six clients in three hours.
Pro Bono Opportunity: Twin Cities Cardozo Society Legal Clinics
Legal aid clinics in St. Paul and Minneapolis provide an engaging opportunity for Jewish attorneys to give back to the community. Volunteers are needed at both clinics on an ongoing basis.
St. Paul: The Twin Cities Cardozo Society partners with Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church, Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services and Interfaith Action of Greater St. Paul to provide free 30-minute legal consultations to low-income individuals. The clinic operates at the church two Thursday afternoons a month. If you would like to volunteer or get more information, please contact Jim Stein at jasoffice@comcast.net.
Minneapolis: The Twin Cities Cardozo Society partners with Mid-Minnesota Legal Assistance and the Minnesota Legal Aid Society to offer 30-minute free legal consultations to low-income individuals at the Urban League in North Minneapolis. The clinic operates every Monday from 1 to 4 p.m. If you would like to volunteer or get more information, contact Shira Shapiro of Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P. at SShapiro@RobinsKaplan.com or 612-349-8500.
Cardozo Society Awards
The Twin Cities Cardozo Society was founded in 1997. Since its inception, the Cardozo Society has established tow awards that honor lawyers, judges or law students from our community, both in which are presented at the Annual Dinner held in the Fall of every year. These awards are:
Sidney Barrows Lifetime Commitment Award
The Sidney Barrows Lifetime Commitment Award was created in 2000, in memory of Sidney Barrows, one of the founding chairs of the Cardozo Society. This award is given annually to a senior attorney or judge in the Twin Cities who exemplifies excellence in his/her practice, community service in the Jewish and general community and life-long learning.
Award Recipients:
2016 - Charlie Nauen & Howard Tarkow
2015 - The Honorable Myron Greenberg & Alan Silver
2014 - Phyllis Karasov & William Pentelovitch
2013 - Cliff Greene & Ellen Sampson
2012 - Steve A. Brand & Philip S. Garon
2011 - Jerome Ingber & Steve Rubin
2010 - Ron Zamansky
2009 - Howard Stacker
2008 - Melvin Orenstein
2007 - Hon. Rosanne Nathanson & Hon. Allen Oleisky
2006 - Elliot Kaplan & Peter Wolf
2005 - Thomas Feinberg
2004 - Samuel L. Kaplan
2003 - Hon. Roberta Levy
2002 - Morris Sherman
2001 - Marvin Pertzik & Allen Saeks
2000 - Marvin Borman
Arthur T. Pfefer Memorial Award
Every year, the Cardozo Society presents the Arthur T. Pfefer Memorial Award to a Jewish law student or young lawyer who has demonstrated outstanding leadership potential and commitment to serving the community. This award honors the memory of Arthur Pfefer, z”l, an aspiring St. Paul lawyer who was killed while serving our country in the Vietnam War.
Recipients are Jewish lawyers and law students under the age of 35 who have already demonstrated accomplishment and show great scholarly, professional, and philanthropic potential.
Award Recipients:
2016 - Greg Arenson
2015 - Valeria Sinelnikov Chazin
2014 - Ron Garber
2013 - Leora Itman
2012 - Robert Goldaris
2011 - Royee Vlodaver
2010 - Jennifer Benowitz
2009 - Jenny Gassman-Pines
2008 - Dori Smith
2007 - Marty Chester
2006 - Mia Sussman
Recognition for an Outstanding Legal Achievement
Each summer, the Cardozo Society recognizes an inspiring Jewish attorney, judge, or law professor for an outstanding legal achievement in the previous calendar year. In addition to this individual’s exemplary legal accomplishment, the honoree embodies ongoing commitment to Jewish community service.
Award Recipients
2015 – Andrew Luger
2014 – Burton Weisberg and Richard Hunegs
Twin Cities Cardozo Society 2015 - 2016 Steering Committee
Twin Cities Cardozo Society Chairs:
Jon Parritz
Andrew Parker
Steering Committee:
Norman Abramson
Robert L. Barrows
David Bernstein
Robert J. Beugen
Steve Brand
Richard Bunin
Marty Chester
Stuart Goldenberg
Hon. Myron Greenberg
Todd Gurstel
Josh Hasko
Steven Hunegs
Jerry Ingber
Jesse Kibort
David Krco
Elizabeth Lamin
Robin Landy
Sharon Lazarus
Hon. Jonathan Lebedoff
Scott Lifson
Rick Linsk
Susan Minsberg
Charlie Nauen
Leslie Novak
Hon. Allen Oleisky
Jonathan Parritz
Hon. Joseph Rubenstein
Steve Rubin
Haley Schaffer
Marsha Schoenkin
Shira Shapiro
Rhona Shwaid
Sally Silk
Alex Tselos
Burton Weisberg
Edward Winer
Melissa Wolchansky
Ron Zamansky
17th Annual Dinner Chairs:
Jeff Oberman
Jim Jacobson