Some honors recognize professional achievement. Others recognize a life dedicated to making a difference.
Coolidge Wall is proud to congratulate attorney Merle F. Wilberding on being awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws (LL.D.), honoris causa by Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, one of the University’s highest distinctions. The honor was announced during Wilberding’s 60th class reunion, where Father James P. Burns, IVD, shared that the University’s Board of Trustees was recognizing Merle for his distinguished legal career and his lifelong service and leadership to his community.
For Wilberding, a 1966 graduate of Saint Mary’s, the recognition carries special meaning. It is a tribute not only to an accomplished legal career spanning more than five decades, but to a life defined by service, leadership and an unwavering commitment to helping others.
“Receiving this recognition from Saint Mary’s is deeply humbling,” said Wilberding. “The education I received there shaped the way I think, the way I practice law and the way I try to serve others. I am profoundly grateful to the University, Father Burns and the Board of Trustees for this extraordinary honor.”
According to the nomination submitted to the University’s Board of Trustees, Saint Mary’s played a pivotal role in shaping the foundation of Wilberding’s life and career. It was there he developed the habits of critical thinking, disciplined analysis and clear communication that would guide him through Notre Dame Law School, military service in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps during the Vietnam War and a distinguished legal career that has influenced clients, communities and the profession itself.
Throughout his career, Wilberding has viewed the practice of law as more than a profession—it has been a calling rooted in service. From representing clients in complex legal matters to mentoring young attorneys and providing counsel to nonprofit organizations, businesses and community leaders, he has consistently used his knowledge and experience to improve the lives of those around him.
His legal work has extended well beyond the courtroom. Early in his career, Wilberding served on the appellate team in the Lt. William L. Calley case following the My Lai Massacre. Decades later, he represented the family of Marine Lance Corporal Maria Lauterbach in a case that helped lead to meaningful reforms strengthening protections for victims of sexual assault within the military justice system. Much of that work was performed on a pro bono basis, reflecting his deeply held belief that the law should always be a force for justice and the common good.
For more than 50 years at Coolidge Wall, Wilberding has been a trusted advisor to businesses, nonprofit organizations, religious institutions and individuals throughout the region. His practice has encompassed corporate law, taxation, commercial real estate, business succession planning and complex transactions, but those who know him best recognize that his greatest contributions cannot be measured solely by legal victories or years of practice.
The nomination highlights a legacy built on character as much as accomplishment. Throughout his life, Wilberding has generously shared his time and talents as a mentor, civic leader, educator, veteran and volunteer. He has helped establish and strengthen community organizations, encouraged generations of young lawyers and demonstrated through his actions that leadership is measured by service to others.
“Merle’s career reflects the very best of the legal profession,” said David Pierce, President of Coolidge Wall. “His integrity, wisdom and commitment to serving others have earned the trust of clients, the respect of colleagues and the admiration of our community. This recognition is a fitting tribute to a remarkable career and an even more remarkable person.”
Honorary degrees are reserved for individuals whose lives embody the highest ideals of a university. Through nearly six decades of legal excellence, public service and principled leadership, Merle Wilberding has exemplified those ideals.
Everyone at Coolidge Wall extends our heartfelt congratulations to Merle on this extraordinary and well-deserved honor. We are proud to celebrate this milestone and grateful for the lasting example he continues to set for our firm, our profession and our community.
