Since 1933, The Hennepin Lawyer has been a respected resource for articles about the legal profession and developments in the law—particularly as they relate to practice in Hennepin County, as well as providing news on the local legal community and bar association. HCBA members receive copies of the current digital edition via email.
2020 HCBA Excellence Award Winners
Jun 29, 2020
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HCBF Grantee Spotlight: Children's Law Center of Minnesota
Jun 29, 2020
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10 Questions with Aalok Sharma
Jun 29, 2020
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Video Meetings: The Right Way
Jun 29, 2020
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Professional Development: Getting Gritty
Jun 29, 2020
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Reform It. Change It. Pass It On.
Jun 29, 2020
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Serving in Interesting Times
Jun 29, 2020
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An Interview with Chief Judge Toddrick S. Barnette
Jun 29, 2020
Judge Toddrick S. Barnette was elected chief judge of Hennepin County District Court in May. His term began on July 1, 2020. He is the first chief judge of color in Minnesota. Judge Barnette was appointed to the Hennepin County bench in 2006, and previously served as assistant chief judge.
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Epiphanies & Insights on ADR for New Lawyers
Jun 29, 2020
As a young attorney, I discovered very quickly that the scenarios I learned in law school didn’t generally relate to actual day-to-day practice. Since law school places only slight emphasis on alternate dispute resolution (ADR), I encourage law firms to provide more training and real-world experience in ADR. Additionally, I hope new lawyers can learn from my personal experience and gain new insight.
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Remote Hearing Technology
Jun 29, 2020
This article will focus on the importance of “the record,” practical tips for using remote hearing technology, and some larger concerns about security and the right to public access. I want to be very clear: I am not suggesting that remote hearing technology is appropriate for every judicial officer and every case type—particularly in criminal cases.
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Handling Cases with Self Represented Parties
Jun 29, 2020
Self-represented litigants, or pro se parties that represent themselves in court without full representation by counsel, are fairly common in various areas of law. An attorney needs to adjust her trial strategy and expectations in several ways when it comes to handling these cases.
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The Use of Forensics in the Courtroom
Jun 29, 2020
Using forensic science in the courtroom can have a fantastic effect on jurors, when done properly. When not done properly, it can be a fantastic failure. So how is a lawyer to know the difference?
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Cameras in the Courtroom: An Outmoded Issue
Jun 29, 2020
You can find flash bulbs for vintage cameras on eBay, but no journalists use them. Indeed, reporters may be of an age where they do not know what flash bulbs or photo film were for. Gone, too, are the bulky television cameras that—if used in a courtroom—inherently would cause a distraction. Very few newspapers have a sketch artist on staff and none of the Minnesota papers do. Sketch artists are expensive. Digital cameras are not.
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Ageism in Our Practice: Impacts on Clients and Practitioners
Apr 24, 2020
Ageism can be seen as a process of systematic stereotyping of and discrimination against people because they are old, just as racism and sexism accomplish this for skin color and gender.
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Probate Issues for Cultural/Religious Communities
Heidi Drobnick, Ahmed Bachelani, and See Lee-Sanders
Apr 23, 2020
Probate Referee Lori Skibbie helped us by contacting three practicing attorneys who have found success navigating specific probate concerns for their clients. Here are their insights.
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Code Gray: A Litigator’s Guide to Elder Abuse Investigations
Joel Smith and Kara K. Rahimi
Apr 23, 2020
Hospitals and care facilities use various codes to quickly relate information in an emergency. While these differ from facility to facility, Code Blue could mean someone is in cardiac arrest, Code Red often means there is a fire, Code Pink may mean there is a pediatric crisis. Perhaps now is the time to enact a universal Code Gray for emergencies involving elderly or vulnerable patients.
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Becoming a “Dementia-Capable” Attorney
Apr 23, 2020
This article is a compilation of information presented at Minnesota CLE on February 3, 2020, entitled “A Lawyer’s Guide to Alzheimer’s and Dementia.”
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Funding Pooled Special Needs Trusts After Age 64
Apr 23, 2020
Before, During, and After Pfoser v. Harpstead. Applicants over age 64 have been establishing pooled trust sub-accounts in other states without penalty. In Minnesota determinations have been inconsistent across the counties.
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Undue Influence in Estate Planning: When Help Goes Too Far
Amy Erickson and Beth Morrison
Apr 23, 2020
The growing number of aging Americans, the prevalence of diminished capacity associated with aging, and the concentration of wealth among American seniors are likely to lead to an increase in will and trust contests, particularly those involving allegations of undue influence.
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