Staff Directory
Gail Olson
Gail Olson has served as General Counsel to the MnSCU System since 1997.
Prior to joining MnSCU, she served for 16 years in the Minnesota Attorney General's Office.
Her Primary practice area was human services until becoming Deputy Attorney General of the Government Services Section in 1992.
Ms. Olson received her J.D. from the William Mitchell College of Law, St. Paul, and her B.A. (English and Sociology) from Augustana College, Sioux Falls.
Kristine Legler Kaplan (Kris)
Assistant General Counsel concentrates in data practices, immigration, international study programs and other areas.
Kris joined the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Office of General Counsel in 2000.
In addition to other public and private legal practice, Kris was previously an Assistant Minnesota Attorney General in the Employment and Health Licensing Divisions, and an Assistant Ramsey County Attorney in the Civil Division.
Kris received both her JD and B.S. (Occupational Therapy) from the University of Minnesota.
Mary Al Balber
Assistant General Counsel has an extensive background representing state, tribal and municipal governments.
Mary Al was with the Minneapolis City Attorney’s Office in the civil division where she advised city officials, departments, boards and commissions. She was also Solicitor General for the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe and a former Assistant General Counsel for the Prairie Island Dakota Indian Community.
In addition, she was an Assistant Attorney General in the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office where she represented state agencies in construction, contract and environmental matters for more than six years. In her new position, Mary Al’s primary focus is transactional matters including construction, contracts and intellectual property.
Mary Al received her J.D. from Hamline University School of Law, St. Paul, and her B.S. (Mass Communications) from Northern Michigan University, Marquette, Michigan.
Scott Goings
Assistant General Counsel joined the Office of the Chancellor in the General Counsel’s Office in January of 2008. Scott’s focus is in information technology, intellectual property, facilities, student services, and other areas.
For seven years, Scott represented MnSCU as an Assistant Attorney General with the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office. Scott previously worked for the Minneapolis law firm of Leonard Street and Deinard and clerked for the Honorable Harold Vietor, United States District Judge, Southern District of Iowa.
Scott received his J.D. from the University of Iowa College of Law and his B.A. (Philosophy) from Grinnell College.
Nancy J. Joyer
Nancy Joyer joined the Office of General Counsel as Compliance Coordinator in January 2008. In this new position, Nancy will provide assistance to colleges, universities, and the Office of the Chancellor in their efforts to ensure compliance with applicable laws and policies.
Previously, Nancy was an Assistant Attorney General. She has 18 years experience practicing higher education law, having represented Minnesota State Colleges and Universities since its merger and its predecessor, the Minnesota Community College System before that time. Most recently, she was the lead attorney for delivery of AGO legal services to Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.
Nancy also teaches law and ethics in St. Cloud State University’s master’s and doctoral programs. She received her J.D. from the William Mitchell College of Law and her B.A. (Spanish and Portuguese) from the University of Minnesota.
Heidi Slegers
Legal Analyst works with contracts, real estate transactions, intellectual property and copyright, data practices, and other areas.
A graduate of Minnesota State University, Moorhead with a Bachelor of Science degree in Legal Assistant, Heidi has paralegal experience in various legal areas for governmental agencies.
In addition to her decade-plus paralegal experience, Heidi is a member of the Minnesota Paralegal Association and serves on the Paralegal Committee of the Minnesota State Bar Association.
Dorothy Zenner
Office Manager has her Master's in Public Adminstation from Metropolitan State University and a B.S. in Business from St. Cloud State University.
She has an extensive background in law office management and was the office manager of a large private firm in St. Cloud.
Dorothy also worked at St. Cloud State
University, and taught for one term at Alexandria Technical College.
Terry Hindt
Terry Hindt, office services specialist, joined the Office of General Counsel in 2008.
Terry was an administrative assistant for the Plymouth Arts Foundation in Plymouth, WI and is an experienced legal administrative assistant and paralegal having worked at various private law firms in Minnesota, Wisconsin, & Texas.
Terry earned her Bachelor of Science degree in business from Mankato State University.
