Helen M. Meyer

Outstanding Achievement Award Recipient

College of Education and Human Development, October 25, 2017

Helen Meyer received a bachelor of science degree in social work in 1977 from the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Minnesota. She is highly regarded as a trial lawyer, judge, mentor, and colleague. She served for a decade on the Minnesota Supreme Court, where she helped to change longtime systemic rules and encouraged other judges to make child protection cases a high priority. As chair of the Court’s Chemical Dependency Task Force, she led the effort to make recommendations on how the courts could better deal with persons with alcohol and other drug problems, especially juveniles. She also chaired the Parent Legal Representation Workgroup, which was formed to identify ways to offer legal assistance to families in child protection or termination of parental rights cases. After stepping down from the Supreme Court, Meyer continued her advocacy on behalf of families through helping to establish the Law Clinic for Parents in the Child Protection System at William Mitchell College of Law. Her legacy will be felt for generations to come. In 2012, Meyer received the prestigious Rosalie E. Wahl Justice for Children Award, which recognizes those who have championed legal advocacy for youth.

Biographies are as-of time of award presentation.