Transcending Generations in Support of Minnesota Law

When Jim Lockhart ’86 was 12 years old, his family’s spring break trip was canceled because his father, the late Greer Lockhart ’53, had to try a product liability case in federal court and could not get the trial date continued.

“If this tells you anything about my father, he said, ‘Why don’t you spend the week with me in federal court?’” Jim recalls. “I may not have been that thrilled to sit in the back of that courtroom, but it was pretty interesting. And when it went to appeal, I got out of school so I could accompany my dad to the Eighth Circuit!”

When Greer passed away in 2021 just shy of his 92nd birthday, Jim and his sister, Ann Lockhart Watson ’82, decided to make a gift to the Law School’s trial practice program to honor their father. Greer had been a well-known trial lawyer and an adjunct professor of trial practice at Minnesota Law, so Jim says the gift made perfect sense.

“My dad tried hundreds of cases over the course of his career,” he says. “But today there are so few trials and therefore fewer opportunities for lawyers to get that experience in a law firm. Minnesota Law has really stepped up to take a more hands-on, experiential approach, to provide that training people used to get in practice. It’s so much more important today to have a trial advocacy program in law school.”

Greer was the first in his family to obtain a college degree and a law degree. He spent many years as president of the firm now known as Bassford Remele, trying hundreds of cases in state and federal courts, primarily defending claims of medical malpractice and products liability. In 2007, Minnesota Law & Politics named him one of Minnesota’s 100 most influential lawyers of all time. He also was deeply involved with and gave generously to the Law School over the years.

“My mom and dad’s two primary interests to support were the Law School and the Episcopal Church,” Jim says. “My father recognized the value that the Law School provided not just to him individually but also what it does in terms of educating a substantial percentage of the civic leaders in Minnesota. We couldn’t think of any other way to better honor him and his career.”

Greer’s commitment to the Law School transcended generations. In 2019, Jim, who spent many years at Lindquist and Vennum and now is in-house counsel at RJM Construction, agreed to co-chair the annual giving campaign at the Law

School with his father and his sister Ann. “I guess I have the same feelings as my father had. For me, it’s important to carry on the tradition that my father started. I, too, recognize that my career would not have been possible without the stellar education I got at the University of Minnesota Law School. Because the Law School is largely on its own in terms of funding, giving is essential.”

Charitable Gift Annuity Gift Tips:

Many donors have found a charitable gift annuity to be a great way to support the Law School. With this type of gift, you can receive fixed annual payments for life and an immediate income tax deduction. When you make a gift of cash or publicly traded securities to the Law School by way of the University of Minnesota Foundation, the foundation then pays you (or up to two people you designate) a fixed amount annually for life. The remaining assets are then used to support the Law School.

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Join the 1888 Society with a Legacy Gift

The 1888 Society celebrates the founding of the University of Minnesota Law School and the generous individuals who have chosen to secure its future by including Minnesota Law in their estate or financial plans. By documenting a planned gift, you create a lasting legacy in support of our mission of training the next generation of world-class lawyer-leaders. With your permission, we will recognize your planned gift through enrollment in the 1888 Society, the University of Minnesota’s Heritage Society, and recognition at the Law School and in various published materials. While we would never publish the estimated value of your planned gift, we do want to show you the appreciation you deserve.

For further information on planned giving, contact:

David L. Jensen Chief Advancement Officer

University of Minnesota Law School dljensen@umn.edu or (612) 625-2060

This publication is prepared exclusively for the information of the University of Minnesota Law School’s alumni, parents, and friends. Its purpose is to highlight current developments that may be helpful in your financial and philanthropic planning. With wise planning, you may be in a better position to support the Law School’s mission of training the next generation of lawyer-leaders. The information herein is based on current federal tax laws and regulations. You should always consult your own attorney or tax adviser as to the applicability of your own situation.

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