Harriet Lansing

Harriet Lansing (born May 19, 1945) is an American lawyer, feminist, and a former judge on the Ramsey County Municipal Court (1978-83) and the Minnesota Court of Appeals (1983-2011). Early life and education Harriet Lansing was born in rural Wisconsin and attended a one-room country school. She earned her undergraduate degree in 1967 in Political Science from Macalester College. She was one of ten women in her class at the University of Minnesota Law School where she earned her J.D. in 1970. She is married to Allan Klein, a retired attorney and administrative law judge. As she describes herself in her oral history: "My early life experience provided me with a deep appreciation for the importance of community, the transformational power of words and literature, liberation of work, and the fundamental value of fairness. I would add to that list also the love of tall trees, fresh air and a good pair of hiking boots." Career In 1972 she worked for the St. Paul City Attorney's Office. She opened the first women's law firm in 1973: Lansing, Oakes and Caperton. Rosalie Wahl and other members of Minnesota Women Lawyers referred clients. In 1976 she was appointed to be St. Paul's first woman City Attorney. (Only eight cities had women city attorneys at that time.)