Representing Pro Bono Clients in Unemployment Insurance Appeals

The Appellate Practice Section of the Minnesota State Bar Association is holding a CLE for attorneys and law students interested in participating in its unemployment insurance pro bono program. The program will include an overview of Minnesota's unemployment insurance laws, a session on practice tips from experienced UI attorneys, updates on legislation and case law, and a panel session with judges from the Minnesota Court of Appeals, followed by a question and answer session. 

8:00-8:30 - Registration

8:30-9:00 Overview of Unemployment Insurance Appeals Process – Tom Boyd & Craig Gustafson

9:00-9:30 Legislative Update – Lee Nelson

9:30-10:30 Attorney Panel – Paul Banker, Anne Wyneken & Lee Nelson

10:30-10:45 Break

10:45-11:45 Case Law Update (Ethics)– Peter Knapp
Professor Peter Knapp will highlight major unemployment insurance cases from the past two years. The presentation will particularly focus on the key role that unpaid attorneys have played in major unemployment insurance cases. This will include ethical issues that pro bono attorneys might face when undertaking representation of applicants for unemployment benefits, and examples of successful zealous representation by unpaid attorneys at the Court of Appeals.

11:45-12:00 Lunch (provided)

12:00-12:45 Appellate Judges Panel - Judges Kevin Ross, Carol Hooten, and Francis Connolly.

12:45-1:00 Appellate Judges Panel Question & Answer Session

Presenters:
Judge Carol Hooten, MN Court of Appeals
Judge Kevin Ross, MN Court of Appeals
Judge Francis Connolly, MN Court of Appeals
Lee Nelson, MN Department of Employment and Economic Development
Tom Boyd, Winthrop & Weinstine, PA
Paul Banker, Sweeney & Masterson, P.A.
Craig Gustafson from MN Department of Employment and Economic Development
Peter Knapp, William Mitchell
Anne Wyneken, MN Court of Appeals Deputy Chief Staff Attorney