MICHAEL O. FREEMAN

FORMAL EDUCATION

Rutgers College, New Brunswick, NJ

(B.A., History, With Distinction in American Studies 1970)

University of Minnesota Law School

(J.D. 1974)

Kennedy School of Government – Harvard University

(Executive leadership – State & local Government 1995)

COLLEGE & GRADUATE SCHOOL TEACHING EXPERIENCE

  Adjunct Professor - University of Minnesota – Hubert Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, Spring, 2000 - 2004 Law and Public Affairs, PA 5122

Adjunct Professor - Augsburg College, Political Science Department 2001, 2003, 2004

Adjunct Professor- Winona State University Political Science Department, Fall, 1999 American Politics 120-03  

PUBLIC SERVICE: ELECTED – HENNEPIN COUNTY ATTORNEY (January 2007 to present & 1991 to 1999)

Major Responsibilities:

• Served as chief executive of Minnesota’s largest public law office; provided leadership to a staff of 400 employees including 160 attorneys
• Managed a $40 Million annual budget

Major Accomplishments:

• Developed services to victims/survivors of domestic abuse through a “one-stop” center and Domestic Abuse Service Center)
• Balanced a $40+ Million budget each of 10 years of my administration
• Argued Dickerson v. Minnesota, United States Supreme Court, March, 1993
• Developed gun turn back program that resulted in capturing over 6,000 guns, March, 1992

Legal Experience:

• PARTNER-LINDQUIST & VENNUM PLLP (February, 1999 to January, 2007)
• PARTNER-POPHAM, HAIK, SCHNOBRICH & KAUFMAN, LTD. (1979 – 1991)

Major Accomplishments:

• Designated Civil Trial Specialist by Minnesota State Bar Association 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004

PUBLIC SERVICE: ELECTED – MINNESOTA SENATE DISTRICT 40 (Richfield & East Bloomington) (1982; 1986)

Major Responsibilities:

• Majority Whip, 1987-1991
• Vice-Chair – Senate Finance Committee 1987-1991
• Vice-Chair – Economic Development and Commerce committee 1983-1986
• Chair-Economic Development Sub-Committee 1983-1986

Major Accomplishments:

• Chief Senate Author and Chair – Conference Committee – Capital Bonding and Building: 1987, 1989, 1990. funded $1 Billion of new college buildings, parks and environment projects
• Chief Author – Minnesota Employment and Economic Development Act (MEED) (Wage Subsidy Jobs Act) – passed and funded statewide job creation program that employed over 10,000 people

POLITICAL LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE:

• 2006 Re-elected Hennepin County Attorney
• 1998 DFL & Labor endorsed candidate for Governor
• 1994 Re-elected Hennepin County Attorney
• 1990 Elected Hennepin County Attorney
• 1986 Re-elected Minnesota Senate District 40 (Richfield & East Bloomington)
• 1982 Elected Minnesota Senate District 40

COMMUNITY:

• Auto Workers of Minnesota, Inc. - Chair
• Summit Academy OIC - Board of Directors 1993-2002, Advisory Board 2007 - present
• Board of Regents Augsburg College 2000 – 2008 Chair $55 Million Capital Campaign
• Board Member Minnesota Private College Council, Fund & Research Foundation 2000 - 2008

COLLEGE ACTIVITIES – RUTGERS COLLEGE:

• President Senior and Junior Class
• Officer Student Government, Sophomore, Junior and Senior years
• ROTC Rutgers College Brigade, Commanding Officer of 1600 Soldiers
• President and Treasurer, Chi Psi Fraternity; first undergraduate on National Governing Board

PERSONAL

• Captain – United States Army Reserve (Ret.)
• Judicial Law Clerk – U.S. District Court, Judge Earl R. Larson, 1974-1975; U.S. Circuit Court, Judge Gerald W. Heaney, 1975-1976
• Eagle Scout
• Member Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church