Marianne Short

As managing partner of the global law firm Dorsey & Whitney LLP, Marianne Short is one of a handful of female managing partners of Am Law 100 firms in the country. With more than 30 years of courtroom experience, she heads 18 offices around the world with more than 600 attorneys.

She began her career with Dorsey & Whitney in 1977, later to rejoin the firm in 2000, after leaving the bench. Short served 12 years on the Minnesota Court of Appeals and was inducted into the American College of Trial Lawyers and the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers.

In 2005, Short was chosen by Minnesota Lawyer as one of 15 lawyers of the year. She has left her mark on Minnesota’s legal landscape in multiple ways, including helping to redefine Minnesota’s legislative and congressional boundaries when she represented former Governor Jesse Ventura in his efforts to establish “politically competitive” districts.

Short leads by example and is highly regarded by her peers. Tom Schreier, a client, friend and co-board member at Saint Thomas Academy described her as “confidently graceful. Every step of Marianne’s career has been an example of natural leadership and extreme accomplishment.”

“She has led the way for others and has risen to a leadership position in a traditionally male-dominated arena (serving as managing partners of law firms),” said Schreier. “As a judge, she executed exactly as one would hope by considering decisions in light of the law and best interest of all involved.”

Her leadership ability has had an impact beyond the courtroom and made a marked difference in the community. Short is an exemplary role model for girls and young women who aspire retain their unique character and balance in the face of tough decisions and challenges.

Currently, Short is president of the board of governors for the Minneapolis Club, vice chair of the board and chair of the board affairs committee for Saint Thomas Academy, and serves on the membership committee for the Council for Women of Boston College. She is also a member of the board of directors for Children’s HeartLink, the Fund for Legal Aid Society, and Minnesota Business Partnership. Previously, she served on the board of directors of numerous organizations including Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, Schubert Club, and Catholic Charities of St. Paul/Minneapolis.

Short earned her bachelor of arts degree from Newton College of the Sacred Heart, followed by her law degree from Boston College Law School. She received the Distinguished Alumna Award in 2006 from Convent of the Visitation and the Founders Award in 2007 from Boston College Law School.