Tiffany is a seasoned attorney, with decades of both counseling and litigation experience, primarily in the areas of employment and education law. Tiffany began her litigation career by trying cases in law school as a certified student attorney. After graduating, Tiffany aggressively represented hundreds of employees - individually and in collective actions - and tried numerous cases to verdict in state and federal court. Tiffany's practice evolved to include representing and defending corporate clients and counseling employers on employment matters.
Not long after becoming a mom to twins, Tiffany became the first Coordinator of the Pro Se Project - a one-of-a kind access to justice initiative of the U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota. In this unique role, Tiffany worked closely with federal judges, lawyers, and pro se litigants from all walks of life, and served as a liaison to the court. Tiffany grew the Pro Se Project from a small panel of Twin Cities' lawyers to a state-wide network of more than 700 attorneys from over 200 law firms who helped nearly 2,000 federal pro se litigants. The late Honorable Steven E. Rau, U.S. Magistrate Judge, described Tiffany as "fearless" referring to her tenacity and efficacy. Under Tiffany's leadership, the Pro Se Project became nationally recognized for its work on behalf of the underserved and received the American Bar Association's prestigious Harrison Tweed Award - its highest honor in the legal services category. And Minnesota Lawyer recognized the Pro Se Project as a Diversity and Inclusion honoree for its important work in helping marginalized individuals gain access to justice. In recognition of Tiffany's long-standing service to the legal profession, Tiffany is a Minnesota Lawyer 2023 Attorney of the Year. Tiffany brings a unique skillset to Engelmeier & Umanah and uses her creativity, problem-solving skills, and assertiveness to her clients' advantage both in and out of the courtroom. She is a fierce advocate for her broad range of clients, including students in general and special education, individuals, and businesses.
Areas of Practice
- Employment Counseling and Litigation
- Civil Litigation
- Education law
Bar Admissions
- Minnesota
- U.S. District Court District of Minnesota
- U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit
Education
- Gonzaga University School of Law, Spokane, Washington
- Honors: cum laude
- University of Memphis
Published Works
- “Pro Se Project 2021 Volunteer Attorneys and Participating Firms,” Bar Talk, May 11, 2022
- “Positive News from the Pro Se Project,” Bar Talk, September 15, 2021
- “Pro Se Project,” Bar Talk, May 26, 2021
- “Pro Se Project Celebrates Tenth Anniversary at 45th Annual Federal Practice Seminar,” Bar Talk, December 11, 2019
- “The Pro Se Project: 10 Years of Enhancing Access to Justice , 2009-2019
- “The Pro Se Project: Narrowing the Justice Gap in Federal Court for Unrepresented Civil Litigants.” With Equal Rights, , Fall, 2019
- “Pro Se Project and FBA Diversity & Inclusion Committee Receive Minnesota Lawyer Awards,” Bar Talk, December 12, 2018
- “Pro Se Project Update,” Bar Talk, September 12
- “Pro Se Project Update,” Bar Talk, September 11, 2017
- “Pro Se Project Holds Volunteer Recognition and Celebration Event,” Bar Talk, May 25, 2016
- “Pro Se Project—2015 Summary,” Bar Talk, March 16 , 2016
- “Pro Se Project Celebrates Five-Year Anniversary with Reception Honoring Volunteer Attorneys,” Bar Talk, September 9, 2015
- “Pro Se Project Celebrates Five Years,” Bar Talk, March 25, 2015
- “The Pro Se Project’s Pilot Early Settlement Conference Project Becomes Permanent,” Bar Talk, September 15, 2014
- “Do Something Good with The Money,” Bar Talk, , May 28, 2014
- “Pro Se Project Celebrates Banner Year,” Bar Talk, March 26, 2014
- “Pro Se Project Conducts Training for New Lawyers,” Bar Talk, December 18, 2013
- “Pro Se Project Hosted Successful Training Seminars for Volunteer Attorneys,” Bar Talk, May 22, 2013
- “U.S. District Court Expands Pro Se Project with Pilot Early Settlement Conference Project,” Bar Talk, March 27, 2013
- “Pro Se Project’s Need for Volunteer Attorneys in Employment Discrimination Referrals,” Bar Talk, September 28, 2012
- “The Pro Se Project Update: A Successful Second Annual Pro Bono/Pro Se Bar Summit,” Bar Talk, May 23, 2012
- “Pro Se Project Plans 2nd Annual Pro Se/Pro Bono Bar Summit and Expands Outreach Efforts,” Bar Talk, March 28, 2012
- “Chief Judge Davis Recognizes the Exemplary Work of Pro Se Project Volunteers,” Bar Talk, December 21, 2011
- “Pro Se Project Receives Harrison Tweed Award and Foundation Grant,” Bar Talk, September 28, 2011
- “ABA Honors Chapter’s Pro Se Project with Prestigious Harrison Tweed Award,” Bar Talk, May 18 , 2011
- “Pro Se Project Update,” Bar Talk, March 16, 2011
- “Chief Judge Davis Recognizes Volunteers, Firms, and Court Personnel for Contributions to Pro Se Project,” Bar Talk, December 15, 2010
Classes and Seminars
- Adjunct Legal Writing Instructor, University of Minnesota Law School, 2008 to 2015
- “13th Annual Disability Justice Seminar” – panelist, 06/01/2023
- Presented on the Pro Se Project and the importance of pro bono work at the Honorable John R. Tunheim, Chief U.S. District Judge, Summer Associate Luncheon, 06/21/2022
- Present on the Pro Se Project and the importance of pro bono work at Chief Judge Tunheim’s Summer Associate Luncheon , 07/23/2021
- Presented to law students in the Law Firm Practice and Management class at the University of Minnesota Law School on the Pro Se Project and pro bono work , 03/31/2020
- Presented with the Honorable Hildy Bowbeer, U.S. Magistrate Judge (Ret.), at the Minnesota Corporate Pro Bono Council Meeting at Target Headquarters on the Pro Se Project and ways to enhance access to justice, 09/27/2019
- 45th Annual Federal Practice Seminar – Presented on the Pro Se Project’s 10-year anniversary at the Mason Memorial luncheon, 06/20/2019
- Presented to U.S. District Judges and U.S. Magistrate Judges on the Pro Se Project at the District of Minnesota’s bench meeting , 01/10/2019
- “Demystifying and Destigmatizing Social Security Disability Appeals,” – organized and moderated the panel discussion with the Honorable David T. Schultz, U.S. Magistrate Judge; Bahram Samie, United States Attorney’s Office; and Ann Motl, Greenberg Traurig, 06/27/2018
- Presented to U.S. District Judges and U.S. Magistrate Judges on the Pro Se Project at the District of Minnesota’s bench meeting , 01/26/2017
- 5/19/16 Minnesota State Bar Association, “Consumer Litigation and the Pro Se Project: Perspectives from the Bench” – presented with Magistrate Judge Noel (Ret.), Mark G. Schroeder, Taft; and David A. Goodwin, Gustafson Gluek, 05/09/2016
- Presented with the Honorable Steven E. Rau, U.S. Magistrate Judge, to University of Minnesota Law School students on the Pro Se Project and pro bono work, 04/06/2016
- 7/28/15 Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, “New Lawyer: Introduction to Federal Court” – organized webinar with Magistrate Judge Noel (Ret.); Keiko L. Sugisaka, Maslon; and Adine S. Momoh, Stinson , 07/28/2015
- Presented on the Pro Se Project and the importance of pro bono work at Chief Judge Tunheim’s Summer Associate Luncheons, 06/22/2016 to 07/13/2016
- Presented on the Pro Se Project and the importance of pro bono work with the Honorable Michael J. Davis, U.S. District Court, at the Chief Judge Summer Associate Luncheon, 06/09/2015 to 06/18/2015
- 6/15/15 Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, “Introduction to Federal Court” – organized and presented at the webinar with the Honorable Hildy Bowbeer, U.S. Magistrate Judge (Ret.), and Daniel C. Hedlund, Gustafson Gluek, 06/15/2015
- Presented with Magistrate Judge Rau to University of Minnesota Law School students on the Pro Se Project and pro bono work, 03/09/2015
- Presented on the Pro Se Project at the Minnesota State Bar Association Bankruptcy Section Pro Bono Committee meeting, 02/17/2015
- Presented to U.S. District Judges and U.S. Magistrate Judges on the Pro Se Project at the District of Minnesota’s bench meeting , 01/22/2015
- Presented with Judge Davis and Magistrate Judge Noel (Ret.) at Robins Kaplan on the Pro Se Project , 10/20/2014
- Presented with Magistrate Judge Noel (Ret.) at Maslon on the Pro Se Project, 09/18/2014
- Presented on the Pro Se Project and the importance of pro bono work with Judge Davis at the Chief Judge Summer Associate Luncheons, 06/19/2014 to 06/24/2014
- “Consumer Laws and the Human Element” – organized and moderated a panel with Magistrate Judge Noel (Ret.); Todd Murray, Friedman Murray; and Erin L. McCann, Faegre Drinker , 05/06/2014
- Presented with Magistrate Judge Rau to University of Minnesota Law School students on the Pro Se Project and pro bono work, 04/11/2014
- Presented at Minnesota Continuing Legal Education’s Social Security Practice Seminar on the Pro Se Project, 02/10/2014
- Presented with Magistrate Judge Noel (Ret.) to the National Employment Lawyers Association, Minnesota Chapter, on the Pro Se Project , 10/08/2013
- Presented with Magistrate Judge Noel (Ret.) and Tricia Pepin to a Kyrgyzstan judicial delegation on the Pro Se Project and access to justice, 10/02/2013
- “Early Settlement Conferences and the Pro Se Project” – presented on a panel with Magistrate Judge Noel (Ret.) and the Honorable Arthur J. Boylan, Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge (Ret.), 09/27/2013
- Presented on the Pro Se Project and the importance of pro bono work with Judge Davis at the Chief Judge Summer Associate Luncheons, 06/12/2013 to 06/14/2013
- “Ethical Considerations for Representing SSDI Claimants in Federal Court”– organized and moderated a panel with Magistrate Judge Noel (Ret.); Fay Fishman, Peterson & Fishman; and Laurence Reszetar, Minnesota Trade Office Director of Foreign Direct Investment, 05/16/2013
- Presented with the Honorable Patrick J. Schiltz, U.S. District Judge, to Dorsey & Whitney’s litigation group on the Pro Se Project and the importance of pro bono work , 05/07/2013
- “Shifting Your ‘Center of Gravity’ in Accepting Pro Se Project Cases” – organized the full-day seminar and moderated a panel with Magistrate Judge Rau and Chief Magistrate Judge Boylan (Ret.) , 04/18/2013
- “The Pro Se Project: Federal Court Opportunities for Newer Lawyers” – presented with Judge Davis on the Pro Se Project and pro bono work, 11/29/2012
- Presented with Greg Marita, Deputy Director of Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid, to law students in the Law Firm Practice and Management class at the University of Minnesota Law School on the Pro Se Project and pro bono work, 11/13/2012
- Presented with the Honorable Donovan W. Frank, U.S. District Judge, and the Honorable Leo I. Brisbois, U.S. Magistrate Judge, at a Range Bar Association (Hibbing, MN) meeting on the Pro Se Project and pro bono work, 09/13/2012
- Presented on the Pro Se Project and the importance of pro bono work with Judge Davis at the Chief Judge Summer Associate Luncheons, 06/19/2012 to 06/21/2012
- Presented with Magistrate Judge Brisbois at an Otter Tail County Bar Association (Fergus Falls, MN) luncheon on the Pro Se Project , 03/22/2012
- Presented with Magistrate Judge Rau to University of Minnesota Law School students on the Pro Se Project and pro bono work, 02/23/2011
- Presented with Greg Marita, Deputy Director of Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid, to law students in the Law Firm Practice and Management class at the University of Minnesota Law School on the Pro Se Project and pro bono work, 11/29/2011
- Presented with Judge Davis and Magistrate Judge Noel (Ret.) to William Mitchell College of Law Students on the Pro Se Project and pro bono work, 09/27/2011
- Presented with Judge Davis and Magistrate Judge Noel (Ret.) to Minnesota Justice Foundation volunteer law students from each of the Twin Cities’ law schools on the Pro Se Project and pro bono work, 02/23/2011
- Presented to the Minnesota Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities on the Pro Se Project and access to justice, 02/02/2011
Honors
- Attorney of the Year
- Harrison Tweed Award, Pro Se Project
- Diversity & Inclusion Honoree, Pro Se Project
