Lisa.M.Brabbit@PowerHouseMediation.com
(612) 895-2210
JD, 1992 | William Mitchell College of Law, St. Paul, MN
• Member, William Mitchell Law Review, 1990–1991
BA, Communication Studies, cum laude, 1989 | St. Mary’s College, Notre Dame, IN
• Faculty-selected recipient, Outstanding Comprehensive Award in Communication Studies
MABL Pathways Advisory Board, 2022–Present
Board of Directors.
Ward 8 Community Benevolence Fund, 2022–Present
Board of Directors
Minnesota Women’s Forum (formerly International Women’s Forum, Minnesota Chapter), 2010–Present
Co-President, 2020–2023
Treasurer, 2019
Minnesota Women Lawyers, Minneapolis, MN, 1992–Present
Advisory Board, 2001–Present; President, 2001–2002; 50th Anniversary Committee, 2020; Executive Committee, 1999-2001; Board of Directors, 1997–1999
Minnesota Women Lawyers Foundation, Minneapolis, MN, 2018–Present
Board of Directors, 2018–2022
Development Consultant to the Board, 2022–Present
YWCA, Minneapolis, MN , 2013–2019
Board of Directors
Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minneapolis, MN, 2011–2018
Board of Directors, 2011–2017
Minnesota Association for Justice, Minneapolis, MN, 1990–2011
Executive Committee, 2009–2011; Board of Governors, 1999–2009
The Infinity Project, Minneapolis, MN, 2007–Present
Executive Committee, 2009–Present; President, 2009–2010; Co-Founder, 2007
Minnesota State Bar Association, Minneapolis, MN, 2000–2011
MSBA Council, Executive Committee, 2005–2011; Minority Bar Summit, 2009–2011; Board of Governors, 2000–2001
Hennepin County Bar Association, 2009
Steering Committee and Program Development Leader, Leaders Impacting the Nonprofit Community (LINC)
• Minneota Rule 114 Qualified Neutral, Minnesota Supreme Court
• Fellow, American Bar Foundation, 2007–Present.
• Minnesota Lawyer, Diversity and Inclusion Award (Recognizing the Infinity Project), 2019.
• St. Thomas Staff Woman of the Year, Women Law Student Assoc., 2012.
• St. Thomas Staff/Faculty Member of the Year, Black Law Student Assoc., 2012.
• Oral Historian for the Honorable Diana E. Murphy, Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals (ABA Women Trailblazer’s Project),
2005–2011.
• St. Thomas Law Staff Woman of the Year, Women Law Student Assoc., 2010.
• Public Service Award, National Conference of Women’s Bar Assoc. (Recognizing the Infinity Project), 2010.
• Minnesota Women Lawyers Myra Bradwell Award, 2009.
• Distinguished Alumni Award, Woodbury High School, 2009.
• Changemakers Award, Minnesota Women’s Press, Inc. (Recognizing the Infinity Project), 2008.
• Attorney Professionalism Award, Hennepin County Bar Assoc., 2007.
• Super Lawyer, Minnesota Law and Politics (Top 5% of all Minnesota lawyers), 2007, 2006, 2004, 2003, 2002,
2001, 2000, 1998.
• President’s Award, Minnesota State Bar Assoc. (Presented to the Task Force on Diversity in the Profession), 2006.
• Minnesota Lawyer, selected 1 of 15 Attorneys of the Year, 2005.
• American Bar Assoc. E. Smythe Gambrell Professionalism Award (Recognizing the St. Thomas Law Mentor
Program), 2005.
• National Award for Innovation and Excellence in Teaching Professionalism (Co-sponsored by the American Bar
Assoc. Standing Committee on Professionalism and the Conference of Chief Justices), 2005.
• University of St. Thomas School of Law Excellence in Preparation Award, 2004.
• Martindale-Hubbell AV rating, 2002 – present.
• Top 50 Women Lawyers in Minnesota, Minnesota Law and Politics, 2002.
• Best Personal Injury Lawyers (Top 25), Minnesota Law and Politics, 2001.
• Rising Star, Minnesota Law and Politics, 1999, 1998.
Minnesota State Bar Association, Minneapolis, MN, 1992–Present
Hennepin County Bar Association, Minneapolis, MN, 1992–Present
St. Ambrose of Woodbury Catholic Community, Woodbury, MN, 1996–Present
Lisa Montpetit Brabbit is a leader and innovator in the legal and educational fields, driven by an unwavering commitment to service, excellence, and professionalism. Currently serving as the Associate Dean for External Relations at the University of St. Thomas School of Law and the Interim Director of the Legal Services Clinic, Lisa has significantly contributed to the law school’s positive trajectory through her pioneering leadership roles and strategic insights.
Her extensive experience in mediation and arbitration began as an injury litigator. Rooted in a client-focused civil trial work career, Lisa’s approach to alternative dispute resolution is client-centric and process-focused, ensuring all parties feel heard, respected, and equitably treated. She possesses a nuanced understanding of the complexities involved in disputes, enabling her to approach alternative dispute resolution with a deeply informed perspective that promotes fair and effective outcomes. She applies strategic problem-solving skills to mediation and arbitration, crafting creative and mutually beneficial solutions that address the core issues at hand while minimizing conflict and fostering cooperative outcomes
In her academic leadership, Lisa has demonstrated exceptional relationship skills, managing and inspiring high-functioning teams across various departments, including alumni relations, legal clinics, externships, fundraising, career development, board relations, coaching and mentoring, and program development. She maintains a focus on achieving the highest standards of excellence and impact.
A trailblazer for women in the legal profession, Lisa has also founded impactful programs and initiatives seeking to enhance the visibility and influence of women leaders in law. Her service extends to numerous and diverse nonprofits, and she brings mission-focused energy to those initiatives. Her career is a testament to her profound dedication to excellence, equity, and the betterment of the legal profession. Her visionary leadership inspires and paves the way for future legal professionals.
University of St. Thomas School of Law, Minneapolis, MN
2002–Present
Senior Assistant Dean for External Relations and Programs, 2010–2019
Law Director of Development, 2016–2022
Director of Mentor Externship Program, 2002–2004
American Arbitration Association, Minneapolis, MN
2000–Present
Qualified Arbitrator
Court-Appointed Trustee, Minneapolis, MN
2000–Present
Neutral Trustee
McCoy, Peterson, Jorstad & Brabbit, Ltd., Minneapolis, MN
1999–2002
Founding Partner
Worked strategically with firm partners and provided leadership for creating and launching a client-focused civil trial law firm in personal injury, product liability, premises liability, insurance litigation, and alternative dispute resolution. Pursued an uncompromising focus on professionalism, integrity, service, and procedural fairness in administering justice.
Sieben, Grose, Von Holtum, McCoy & Carey, Ltd., Minneapolis, MN
Associate Attorney, 1992–1999
Provided all aspects of civil injury work to hundreds of clients, from intake and assessment to appellate practice.
Law Clerk to Harry A. Sieben, 1990–1992
Delivered 60+ professional presentations and moderated numerous professional panels. Topics include leadership (with a focus on women’s leadership and diversity), board service, implicit bias, mentoring, mentor programs, civic engagement, alternative dispute resolution, litigation, professional development, networking, and career satisfaction.
• Lisa Montpetit Brabbit, Who Decides? Judicial Selection in the 21st Century and the Role of The Infinity Project, 16 U. St. Thomas L.J. (2020).
• Uyen Campbell & Lisa Montpetit Brabbit, What Governs State District Court Civil Practice and Procedure: From Pre-suit Procedures to Post-Trial Motions and Judgments, in Minnesota State District Court Civil Practice Deskbook 1-1 (Keith S. Moheban et al. eds., 3rd ed. 2019).
• Lisa Montpetit Brabbit, Infinity Project Seeks to Close the Gender Gap on the 8th Circuit, St. Thomas Law., Winter 2009, available at https://news.stthomas.edu/infinity-project-seeks-to-close-the-gender-gap-on-the-8th-circuit.
• Lisa Montpetit Brabbit, Traveling to a Forgotten Land: Gender Equity, the Eighth Circuit and the Infinity Project, XXXII with Equal Right, The Official Journal of Minnesota Women Lawyers I (2008).
• Lisa Montpetit Brabbit, Achieving Excellence through Mentoring: A Step-by-Step Guide, in Minn. State Bar Assoc. Diversity and Gender Equity in the Legal Profession: Best Practices Guide 66, (2008) (an internal section on designing and implementing a formal mentor program).
• Neil Hamilton & Lisa Montpetit Brabbit, Fostering Professionalism Through Mentoring, 57 J. of Legal Educ. 102 (2007).
• Lisa Montpetit Brabbit, Minnesota Women Lawyers Spotlight on Debra Pexa, XXX with Equal Right, The Official Journal of Minnesota Women Lawyers III (2007).
• Lisa Montpetit Brabbit, Vocation, Transition and the Legal Profession (Or…A Cowgirl Living in the Wild with Her Pet Monkey), XXIX with Equal Right, The Official Journal of Minnesota Women Lawyers III (2006).Lisa Montpetit Brabbit 5
• Lisa Montpetit Brabbit & David M. Bateson, Mentors Mind the Legal Gap, Legal Times, Sept. 4, 2006, at 32.
• Lisa Montpetit Brabbit, Minnesota Women Lawyers Spotlight on Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Helen M. Meyer, XXVII with Equal Right, The Official Journal of the Minnesota Women Lawyers (2003).
• Lisa Montpetit Brabbit & Betsy Thompson, Law School Gender Equity, Minn. Law. (July 21, 2003).
• Lisa Montpetit Brabbit & Neil Hamilton, The Status of Women in the Profession and Best Practices, Minn. Law. (Feb. 17, 2003), available at http://www.minnlawyer.com.
• Lisa Montpetit Brabbit & Jim Carey, Litigation and Child-Restraint Systems: Important Considerations for the Practitioner, 17 Minn. Trial 5 (1993).
• Lisa M. Montpetit, Comment, Constitutional Law – Changes in Defamation Law for the Eighth Circuit, 17 Wm. Mitchell L. Rev. 785 (1991).
