Breaking the Ice: Vikings counsel Allison balances law, leadership

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Minnesota Vikings associate counsel Jeremiah Allison sees the results of his work throughout U.S. Bank Stadium.

“Everything you see in the stadium happening, I kind of touch,” Allison said, from sponsorship, suite and vendor agreements to security, to halftime shows and national anthem performances. No player contracts, so far.

This is Allison’s third season with the Vikings. He played linebacker at Washington State and was a captain for the Cougars. He played one season with the Milan Rhinos, an American football team in Italy, and also traveled Europe before arriving here for law school.

Allison also serves president of the Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers (MABL), completing a vacant term beginning in March. He previously was legal counsel for mergers and acquisitions at Medtronic and a clerk with the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office.

To honor his late mother, Allison founded and is CEO of The Allison H.O.P.E. Foundation, to help others pursue excellence.

He partners with the Los Angeles Unified School District, returning to teach kids there about becoming lawyers.

Name: Jeremiah Allison

Title: Associate counsel, Minnesota Vikings; president, Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers

Education: B.S., criminal justice, political science, Washington State University; J.D., Mitchell Hamline School of Law

Q: Best way to start a conversation with you?

A: If you say, “Go Cougs!” I’ll look for you. I’m 31 years old but feel like I’ve lived a lot of life, so I’m sure we can find common ground.

Q: Why law school?

A: For me to go to the high school I wanted to go to, Dorsey High in Los Angeles, it was either math and science or a law magnet. And I chose law magnet. I grew up at the poverty line and wanted to change the circumstances for me and those around me. I knew that by becoming a lawyer, I could do that.

Q: What are you reading?

A: “The Power of a Praying Husband.” I got married February 14 of this year, and my wife put the book on my desk.

Q: Pet peeve?

A: Individuals who make plans and don’t follow through or waste time. Time is our greatest asset.

Q: Best part of your work?

A: Seeing the work get done and implemented all around me when I enter the stadium. And the people here. I’m not trying to use the University of Minnesota analogy, but we’re all rowing the boat in one direction, and that’s to win a Super Bowl.

Q: Most challenging?

A: There are things I don’t know, that I haven’t seen before or they haven’t come to my desk. For someone who’s relatively young in my career, even though I’m approaching five years, I just want to know and do quality work.

Q: Favorite activity away from work?

A: I love playing chess and have a huge chess board in my office. But because it’s a lost art, I play video games instead. My wife and I love going on cruises. I get the best sleep on cruises. I love karaoke, too.

Q: Where would you take someone visiting your hometown?

A: I was born in Minneapolis and used to go to Camp Snoopy. But I moved to L.A. when I was 6 and was raised there. I’d take visitors here to Lake Minnetonka. Get out on the water, go to Lord Fletcher’s, see the houses that I dream of having one day. In L.A., I’d take them to the Culver City Stairs, the Hollywood Walk of Fame or my high school, Dorsey High, to see the rich tradition and history there.

Q: Legal figure you admire?

A: Any lawyer who I’ve asked for advice and guidance and counsel.

Q: Misconception about your work?

A: Most people think in-house attorneys don’t work as hard. With only three attorneys        on our team, it’s not cold drinks with umbrellas in them. We’re doing the work to make sure that this amazing organization keeps moving forward, and we’re protecting it at all costs.

Q: Favorite book, movie or TV show about lawyers?

A: For TV shows, “Reasonable Doubt” and “How to Get Away with Murder.” For movies, “The Great Debaters,” which is why I wanted to become a lawyer, and “Marshall,” a great movie with Chadwick Boseman.