Minnesota Legal News | Wednesday, September 1, 2010

• Son of Iron Range Appointed to Federal Bench in Duluth. A Minneapolis lawyer with roots in the Northland and in the American Indian community has been appointed the U.S. magistrate judge for the District of Minnesota to be seated in the Gerald W. Heaney Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse and Customhouse in Duluth. Go to Duluth News Tribune


• Divide Between Lawyer Haves and Lawyer Have Nots Growing. Looking over the front page of Minnesota Lawyer this week, a thought struck me. At the top, Barbara Jones had an article on the $52 million bridge settlement. A total of 17 firms — including some of the state’s preeminent trial lawyers — handled the entire case pro bono. They lawyers donated tens of thousands of hours of time and agreed to forgo tens of millions of dollars in fees as part of a massive public service effort. Go to MinnLawyer Blog


• Justice Denied as Debt Seizures Soar. After two weeks without a decent meal, Van Tran looked tired and agitated as he walked into the Ramsey County courtroom for a hearing in May. Go to Star Tribune


• Retired Judge Rosenbaum Joins Mediation and Arbitration Firm. James Rosenbaum, who has retired after 25 years as a federal judge, will join the national JAMS mediation and arbitration firm in its new Minneapolis office. Go to MinnPost


• Minnesota Court of Appeals Dismisses Fraud Lawsuit by Four Women Against New Ulm Diocese. Four women who alleged that a now-dead priest sexually abused them as children had their lawsuit thrown out by the state Court of Appeals on Tuesday. Go to Pioneer Press


• We Need Veterans Courts in Minnesota. Here's Why [Commentary]. The first Veterans Court in Minnesota started on July 12 in Hennepin County. I am screening my first client for the court. He is not, however, an Iraq or Afghanistan war veteran. He is a Vietnam veteran. He served as a sailor on a river boat on the Mekong delta during the Vietnam War and saw lots of combat. Go to Pioneer Press


• $52 Million Settlement in Minneapolis Bridge Collapse. After enduring countless surgeries and hours of court hearings, victims of the deadly collapse in 2007 of the Interstate 35W bridge here reached the end of their legal fight after an engineering company agreed to pay $52.4 million to settle scores of lawsuits. Go to New York Times


• Adrian Man Arrested for DWI Days after Appearing in Court Intoxicated. Four days after showing up in court with a .04 blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level and being ordered to abstain from alcohol, Timothy Nolan Christle, 36, of Adrian, was behind bars for driving while impaired. Go to Pioneer Press


• Minnesota Couple Sue Egg Companies. A couple from southern Minnesota have sued two Iowa egg companies at the heart of a massive salmonella outbreak, the first apparent suit in the state connected to a nationwide recall of over a half billion eggs. Go to Star Tribune

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