Lawyers Jack Rice and Willow Anderson have been selected as a team for “Minnesota Attorneys of the Year.”
“Attorneys of the Year” chosen for their approach to justice.
Attorneys Jack Rice and Willow Anderson have been selected as a team for “Attorneys of the Year” for their work on State of Minnesota v. Michael Forcia where they took a restorative approach to justice focused on community healing.
[Saint Paul Minn.]- Jack Rice, founder of the criminal defense firm Jack Rice Defense and Willow Anderson of the Public Health Law Center have been selected as a team for “Attorneys of the Year” by Minnesota Lawyer. Their work on State of Minnesota v. Michael Forcia impressed the judges.
An outside panel of judges selected honorees based on leadership in the profession, achieving a successful result for a client, and public service. The nominations were submitted by judges, bar groups, clients, and attorneys.
Civil unrest following the murder of George Floyd in 2020 led to protests across the nation, one of which resulted in the toppling of a Christopher Columbus statue on the grounds of the Minnesota State Capitol by American Indian Movement activist Michael Forcia. Mr. Forcia was charged with felony Criminal Damage to Property.
Criminal defense lawyer Jack Rice and civil attorney Willow Anderson joined forces to take on this case pro bono. Working with the Ramsey County Attorney's Office, they collaborated with community leaders to determine a restorative justice process that would give voice to community members on how to best hold Mr. Forcia accountable while healing the community and preventing similar incidents from occurring. In dismissing the charges last week, Chief Judge Leonardo Castro stated, “True justice and healing are rarely achieved but I sincerely believe that it was so in this case. It would have been simple to charge, convict, and punish. But the more difficult road towards reflection, learning and healing was taken, and the result will bear fruit forever. I congratulate you all for your wisdom and courage.”
Jack Rice is a Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist and founder of Jack Rice Defense. He received the 2020 Professional Excellence Award from the Minnesota State Bar Association, the only lawyer to do so. He is a former Prosecutor and a former CIA Officer. Jack specializes in representing criminal defense clients.
Willow Anderson is a Senior Attorney at the Public Health Law Center. She is a former Assistant Attorney General and a Minnesota Supreme Court Certified Mediator and Qualified Neutral. Willow specializes in health through the power of law and policy.
Minnesota Lawyer will highlight the honorees in a special section of the publication and will recognize the 2021 Attorneys of the Year at an awards program February 17, 2022, at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis.