University of St. Thomas School of Law Professor Nekima Levy-Pounds was announced recently as a 2014 Attorney of the Year by Minnesota Lawyer and a 40 Under 40 honoree for 2015 by Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal.
The awards recognize Levy-Pounds’ work as a civil rights attorney, law professor and founding director of the award-winning UST School of Law Community Justice Project. Through her work at UST School of Law, Levy-Pounds fosters and inspires up-and-coming lawyers to work to improve the lives of members of under-served communities and youths in the Twin Cities. She also has carved her place in the local civil rights movement by challenging laws and policies that hold back communities of color. Levy-Pounds most recently has taken an active role in the Black Lives Matter movement.
According to Minnesota Lawyer, the Attorneys of the Year awards recognize Minnesota attorneys who display leadership, involvement in major cases or other newsworthy events, excellence in corporate or transactional services, and public service. When it comes to the 40 Under 40 list, Levy-Pounds was chosen for the honor in a year that marked a record 600 nominations. The recognition calls out people under the age of 40 who have already established themselves as leaders in their industries and the community.
In addition to her role at UST School of Law, Levy-Pounds is co-chair of Everybody In, chair of the Minnesota Advisory Commission to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, member of the board of directors for Catholic Charities of Minnesota, member of the board of directors for The Minneapolis Foundation, chair of Brotherhood, Inc., fellow of the American Bar Foundation, member of the Senate File 2725 Work Group, past adviser to Senator Al Franken, member of the FBI Civil Rights Advisory Group, and contributing writer to MinnPost, the Star Tribune and Twin Cities Daily Planet.
Levy-Pounds will be recognized by Minnesota Lawyeron Feb. 19 at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis. She will be recognized by Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journalon March 5 at Aria Minneapolis.
