2011-12 Meeting Summaries
Minutes from prior fiscal years

9/16/11 | 11/18/11 | 01/20/12

MSBA PROFESSIONALISM COMMITTEE
MEETING SUMMARY
January 20, 2012
12:00 noon

Members Present:  Elizabeth Brama – Chair, Dana Bartocci, Mickey Bebeau, Michael Carr, Hon. Regina Chu, Hon. Francis Connolly, Grant Fairbairn, Michelle MacDonald, Hon. Frank Magill, Cass Weil,.  MSBA Staff:  Nancy Mischel.  Speakers:  Hon. Ann Montgomery, Hon. Jay Quam, Hon. John Tunheim.  Guests:  Laura Arneson, Aisha Elmquist, Kathryn Fodness, Bethany Jennings, Katie Kimlinger, Kelli Lassig, Issa Moe, Nate Nesbitt, Lee Orwig, Libby Smith, Brannon Stephany, Forrest Tahdooahnippah, Matthew Webster, Will Young.

Meeting:  12:00-12:15 p.m.

Reports from Subcommittees:

Education/Training Subcommittee:  Ms. Brama noted that the Civil Litigation Section’s Council has indicated they will partner with the Committee on a CLE regarding professionalism.  The Subcommittee will be asked to follow up and coordinate this CLE with the Section.

Resources Subcommittee:  Ms. Bebeau reported that the Subcommittee has not met since the last Committee meeting in January.

Aspirations Subcommittee:  Ms. MacDonald reported that discussions have taken place among some Subcommittee members since the Committee meeting in January, but they have nothing formal to report.

Next Meeting:  Neil Hamilton, a professor at the University of St. Thomas School of Law will present at the March meeting about research and trends regarding professionalism.  Members are invited to bring guests; MSBA staff will look into the possibility of CLE credit.

CLE Presentation “Trends in Professionalism”:  12:15-1:15 p.m. (approved for one ethics CLE credit, event code 163810)  Judge Quam moderated a panel discussion consisting of Hon. Ann Montgomery and Hon. John Tunheim from the federal bench and insights from Judges on the Committee. 

Upcoming meetings:  The Committee will meet at noon on the following dates:
March 16, 2012
May 18, 2012

MSBA PROFESSIONALISM COMMITTEE
MEETING SUMMARY
November 18, 2011
12:00 noon

Members Present:  Elizabeth Brama – Chair, Mickey Bebeau, Roy Ginsburg, Kimberly Hanlon, Mary Sherman Hill (via phone), Michelle MacDonald, Hon. Frank Magill, Hon. Kerry Meyer, Nicole Truso, Cass Weil, Laurie Young.  MSBA Staff:  Nancy Mischel.  

Reports from Subcommittees:

Education/Training Subcommittee:  Subcommittee member Mr. Ginsburg reported that Judge Connolly is working on his article for the Bench and Bar, and subcommittee members will assist Judge Connolly as needed.  The goal is to have this published sometime in the spring or summer.  The subcommittee discussed what groups we could work with to promote professionalism and obtain CLE credits.  The subcommittee decided to focus on the MSBA New Lawyers Section, and work with corporate counsel to promote professionalism and obtain CLE credits.  Mr. Ginsburg has contacts with the ACC re corporate counsel, and Ms. Hanson is working with the MSBA New Lawyers Section chair to find a date in the spring to have a session with that group.

On November 17 the subcommittee had a CLE panel on professionalism as part of the 38th Annual Labor and Employment Law Institute. Hennepin County Judge Jay Quam moderated a panel discussion with Judge Lloyd Zimmerman, Judge John Tunheim, Ann Huntrods, and Don Nichols on the topic of “What is Professionalism and Why is it Important?”  There were close to 50 attendees for the CLE at the end of a long day.  Mr. Moberg introduced the panel, and made a plug for the Professionalism Committee and the Professionalism Aspirations.   Copies of the Aspirations were given to all attendees.  Many of the very experienced practitioners did not even know about the Aspirations. 

Resources Subcommittee:  Chair Ms. Truso reported that the subcommittee will be updating and reorganizing the resources section of the webpage.  The subcommittee asked for feedback regarding the possibility of creating a blog where professionalism hypotheticals could be posted and people could comment.  The Committee is not yet ready to commit to having their own blog, but suggested the subcommittee look into using the MSBA’s current blog (practiceblawg.com) which posts on a variety of topics.  Ms. Mischel will connect Ms. Truso with the appropriate MSBA staff person.

Aspirations Subcommittee:  Subcommittee member Ms. Hanlon reported that Florida has added a civility pledge to their oath of admission.  The subcommittee will develop proposed language for Minnesota to do the same and bring it to the Committee’s January meeting for consideration.  The subcommittee is discussing an article about the aspirations and proposed changes to the oath of admission.  Because Judge Connolly is already working on a submission to Bench & Bar, members suggested other avenues for publication such as Minnesota Lawyer, MWL’s magazine and HCBA’s magazine.  HCBA has already asked Ms. Hanlon if she would like to write something for their June issue.  The subcommittee is still working on finalizing the language around the Committee’s goals for the website, and will report its proposed final language at the January Committee meeting.

Ideas for Additional Meeting Topics:  Committee members expressed interest in hearing from speakers at their future meetings, in additional to the subcommittee reports.  Ms. Bebeau could present on her research in the area of professional and moral development.  Ms. Brama will contact Professor Neil Hamilton to see if he is available for an upcoming Committee meeting.  A panel of judges presenting on what they see in the courtroom in terms of professionalism is another topic of interest.  Judge Meyer will speak with Judge Quam about his interest and availability to join the judges on the Professionalism Committee in leading a discussion at one of the remaining 2011-2012 Committee meetings.

Upcoming meetings:  The Committee will meet at noon on the following dates:
January 20, 2012
March 16, 2012
May 18, 2012

MSBA PROFESSIONALISM COMMITTEE
MEETING SUMMARY
September 16, 2011
12:00 noon

Members Present:  Elizabeth Brama – Chair, Mickey Bebeau, Hon. Regina Chu, Hon. Francis Connolly, Paul Darsow, Sandra Grove, Kimberly Hanlon, Michelle MacDonald, Hon. Frank Magill, Hon. Kerry Meyer, Michael Moberg, Nicolet Truso, Cass Weil, Laurie Young.  MSBA Staff:  Nancy Mischel.  

Reports from Subcommittees:

Education/Training Subcommittee:  Subcommittee chair Mr. Moberg reported that the Committee will introduce a professionalism CLE at the Employment Law Institute.  Judge Connolly continues to work on a professionalism article for Bench & Bar magazine.  Suggestions were made to try and hold some CLE programs in greater Minnesota through the district bar associations, and to make inroads with corporations, possibly through the MSBA’s corporate counsel section.  Judge Chu will talk to the MSBA’s Civil Litigation Section about cosponsoring a CLE program on Professionalism.  Other suggestions included the various MN CLE Institutes and the MN County Attorney Association.  Members of this subcommittee include:  Mike Moberg, Judge Connolly, Judge Meyer, Laurie Young and Roy Ginsburg.

Resources Subcommittee:  Ms. Brama reported that Nicole Jackson is unable to continue chairing this subcommittee.  Ms. Truso volunteered to chair and reported that the subcommittee has gathered a number of articles for publication on the Committee website that are close to or ready for posting.  The subcommittee will work with Ms. Mischel to update the Committee’s website and add articles.  Members of this subcommittee include:  Nicole Truso, Nicole Fredricks Jackson, Mickey Bebeau, Sandy Grove, Judge Magill and Paul Darsow.

Aspirations Subcommittee:  Ms. MacDonald and Judge Chu reported for Subcommittee Chair Marjorie Rapp, who was not present at the meeting.  The subcommittee will identify a subcommittee chair prior to the next meeting.  The subcommittee will also be finalizing language explaining the sub-committee’s overall goal, and expects to work on a professionalism-focused Committee event for this bar year.  Members of this subcommittee include: Judge Chu, Cass Weil, Michele MacDonald, Kimberly Hanlon and Marjorie Rapp.

All members are asked to sign up to work with a subcommittee. Subcommittees should meet and work on their goals during the months between regular Committee meetings.

The Committee discussed whether to focus this year on a particular aspect of professionalism.  It was agreed to address lawyer professionalism in the business world, to encourage interaction with corporate counsel.  While subcommittees will seek opportunities to incorporate this focus into activities, not all efforts need to revolve around this element of professionalism.