Lila M. Kommerstad

Businessman and philanthropist Robert M. Kommerstad ’52 (1927–2002) and his wife Lila M. Kommerstad (1925–2020) were long-time supporters of Minnesota Law, but it was their generous designation of the Law School as a beneficiary of their estate plan that will cement their legacy as one of the most transformative donors to the Law School.

Celebrating successful careers

Bill spent more than 50 years with the law firm of Felhaber, Larson, Fenlon & Vogt, P.A. in St. Paul, building a thriving practice as an expert in the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. He established the first collectively bargained workers compensation jointly trusteed fund in Minnesota, which has become one of the most successful programs in the country. Over the years, he also served as mayor and police commissioner for the city of North Oaks, Minnesota.

Kareen’s first career was in human resources with Prudential Insurance. While an undergrad, she had thought about law school but found little encouragement. “There were not very many women in law school then, and a college dean actually told me that women didn’t really go to law school,” she says.

“I’m glad I didn’t listen.” She started her studies when her daughter was just two years old. After graduating, she practiced at Fredrikson & Byron and then moved to Doherty, Rumble & Butler, where she became a partner. She ran her own firm for a few years before joining Felhaber, Larson, Fenlon & Vogt, where she worked for more than 30 years, specializing in complex real estate development.

Both Bill and Kareen attribute their deeply satisfying careers to their legal education. “This law school is a tremendous asset to the people of Minnesota,” Bill says. “It was back when we attended and is still today, even more so. We continue to be impressed with the caliber of the people and the programs.”

The Kommerstads’ incredible generosity was without parameters. Through the bequest they have helped the Law School invest in areas that confront and overcome the educational and financial challenges of today. Their support has forged new pathways for the Law School, and position the Law School to grow and stay at the cutting edge of legal education.

Through their incredible gift, the Law School established and strengthened the following funds and initiatives.

The Kommerstad Faculty Imagination Fund supports faculty pursuing innovative research and scholarship, amplifying the impact of their work. This fund provides research support, funding for conferences and symposia, support to pursue grants and fellowships, and support for other initiatives that increase faculty impact as teachers, scholars, and thought-leaders.

The Kommerstad Public Interest Summer Fellowship provides a stipend to support high achieving, public interest-minded students participating in an unpaid summer internship with a nonprofit organization, government agency or other summer public interest position.

The Kommerstad Judicial Internship Fund supports Minnesota Law students who participate in an unpaid summer internship with a judge or other judicial court setting outside of Minnesota.

The Kommerstad LL.M. Scholarship Fund enables access to a top-notch American legal education for international students pursuing an LL.M. degree at Minnesota Law.

Originally established by Erin Keyes ’00 and the Class of 2000, the Diversity and Belonging Initiatives Fund was strengthened to enhance and support diversity at the Law School through recruitment efforts, education, outreach, engagement, community building events, and other programmatic needs.

Finally, the Kommerstad J.D. Scholarship Fund was established to increase access to an outstanding legal education, enabling Minnesota Law to attract and retain even more high-achieving and diverse students.

While designating an unrestricted gift may not align with the philanthropic goals of every donor, we recognize with gratitude the incredible generosity and trust that Robert and Lila Kommerstad placed in our school and in our future. We thank them for this legacy gift and the outstanding vote of confidence it represents.

To learn more about planned giving to the University of Minnesota Law School, email David Jensen at dljensen@umn.edu