Ana Pottratz Acosta

Ana Pottratz Acosta is a Professor of Law at Mitchell Hamline School of Law, specializing in immigration law and clinical legal education. She oversees the Medical-Legal Partnership between Mitchell Hamline and United Family Medicine, and teaches in the Health Law Clinic. Her work integrates legal services with healthcare access for underserved populations. She holds a J.D. from Columbia Law School and a B.A. summa cum laude from the University of Minnesota.

Education:

• J.D., Columbia Law School
• B.A. summa cum laude, University of Minnesota

Research Interests: Ana focuses on immigration law, refugee resettlement, health law, and constitutional challenges to discriminatory policies. Her advocacy includes landmark cases like Rajah v. Mukasey, challenging the NSEERS program, and advancing equitable legal services for marginalized communities. She combines clinical teaching with policy advocacy to address systemic barriers in immigration and healthcare access.

Awards: Recognized for her impactful work, Ana received the Olga Zolti Award (2020) and Ramsey County Public Health Award (2018). She actively leads professional organizations, including the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA).

Leadership & Service: Served as Chapter Chair for AILA (Minnesota-Dakotas, 2020–21), officer in the Minnesota State Bar Association, and held roles in New York legal associations. She volunteers with Advocates for Human Rights and the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota.

Labs/Teams: Coordinates the Medical-Legal Partnership, collaborating with healthcare providers to address legal issues affecting patient health outcomes.