Publications

Annual Report
2018-19

Section Membership

As of June 24, 2019 the Section has 1,347 members.

Financial Status

The Section had an account balance of $44,935.95 as of April 2019.

CLEs & Events

The Section hosted 2 events in fiscal year 2018-19. 

Annual Meeting and Election Results

The Section’s Annual Meeting was held on November 1, 2018 at the Real Property Institute.

The following council members were elected to serve on the Section’s Governing Council from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2021:

District A:  Sachin Darji

District B:  Pierre Heitler

District C: Michael Melchert

District D: Dan Maddy

District E: Andy Shaw

District F: Scott Johnson

District G: Marty Helle

District H: Brad Schmidt

The following officers were elected to serve on the Section’s Governing Council from 7/1/2019 to 6/30/2020:

 Chair: Robert Bigwood

Vice-Chair: Wayne Anderson

Secretary: Dan Maddy

Treasurer: Eric Johnsrud

Diversity and Inclusion
What diversity and inclusion goals did the Section include in the 2018-2019 work plan, how did you approach these goals, and what was the result?

Two female attorneys replaced male attorneys on the Council.

Other Section Accomplishments

Ad hoc pro bono committee added to the Council, to provide real estate legal services to low income residents of Minnesota.

Submitted By:

Kevin Dunlevy, Section Chair

Dated as of June 30, 2019

Annual Report | 2015-16

Section Membership

As of June 16, 2016, the Section has 1542 members. This compares to 1567 members at the beginning of the fiscal year (July 1, 2015). While we have stayed steady with membership, the demographics of our members show that we are an aging Section. The average years in practice is 26. The average age is 52. Three-fourths of the membership is male.

Years in Practice:
1 to 9 years – 246
10 to 19 years – 273
20 to 29 years – 257
30 or more years – 684 

Age in Years:
29 or younger – 60
30 to 39 years – 368
40 to 49 years – 212
50 to 59 years – 278
60 to 69 years – 440
70 and older – 140 

Financial Status

For the first eleven months of the current fiscal year (through May 31, 2016), revenues were $39,163.51, made up of membership dues, the sale of products (Title Standards) and royalties (Miller Davis use of the residential real estate forms). Expenses were $30,621.30. As of May 31, 2016, the Section had an account balance of $42,662.67. The Council considers it prudent to keep a bank balance sufficient to cover one year’s worth of expenses. 

The annual Section dues are $28, and the Section receives $18 of this amount. We have almost 700 members who have practiced law for over 30 years, and 580 members who are at least 60 years old. Our membership will inevitably decline in the years to come. In the current fiscal year, in an effort to provide more value (or “give back”) to Section members, we have used our reserves to fund the following initiatives:

We contributed $500 to the MSBA’s Mock Trial Program

We sponsored the New Lawyers Leadership Conference with a $500 donation.

We donated $500 to Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers.

We provided the five events in the grid below, free of charge to anyone. 

CLEs & Events

The Section hosted 6 events in fiscal year 2015-16. 

*The Section also served as co-host to the annual Real Estate Institute coordinated by Minnesota CLE. 

Annual Meeting and Election Results

The Section’s annual meeting was held on October 22, 2015 at the Real Estate Institute.

The following Section members (with the county where they work identified) were elected to serve on the Section’s governing council from July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2018:

District A:  Gordy Jensen (Hennepin County)
District B:  Paul Fahning (Ramsey County)
District C:  Jeff Johnson (Anoka County)
District D:  Dave Pritchett (Carlton County)
District E:  Alicia Cope (St. Louis County)
District F:  Robert Bigwood (Otter Tail County)
District G:  Travis Ohly (Olmsted County)
District H:  Paul Goode (Lyon County) 

The following Section members (with the county where they work identified) were elected to serve as officers on the Section’s governing council from July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017.

Chair:  Alan C. Thiel (Hennepin County)
Vice-Chair:  Jennifer Gilk (Redwood County)
Secretary:  Kevin Dunlevy (Hennepin County)
Treasurer:  Eric P. Johnsrud (Winona County) 

Other Section Accomplishments

2015-2016 has been a watershed year for the Section’s Communications Committee. The Committee, made up of approximately 10 members, has spearheaded several new initiatives designed to bring together real estate practitioners and tap into the collective knowledge of the Section’s members. Among other initiatives, the Committee (i) created the Real Property Law Section’s Facebook page, through which the Committee shares real estate and legal news, announces upcoming events and provides practical advice for real estate professionals; (ii) began hosting a bi-monthly happy hour series, which brings together non-attorney real estate industry professionals with the Bar; and (iii) began disseminating monthly practice tips designed to be quick reference guides for common, emerging and tricky real estate issues. The upcoming year promises to be just as exciting. In addition to the activities started this past year, the Committee is rolling out a two-year study group for practitioners interested in taking the Real Property Law Specialists exam, a law school outreach program to get law students interested in the MSBA and the Real Property Law Section early in their careers, how-to webcasts that will piggyback the existing monthly practice tips and is exploring new ways to engage new and reengage vintage attorneys alike at the Real Estate Institute. Additionally, once Higher Logic is up and running, the Communications Committee has plans to revamp the MSBA Real Property Law Section web content.

Want to Get Involved in Section Activities?

The Section can always use energetic members to join the committees (Legislative, Title Standards, Residential Real Estate, Communications, and Liaison) and the governing council. Some committees are focused on substantive real estate issues, and some are not. Getting involved starts with a phone call (612-278-6305) or email (scarlson@mnbar.org) to our Section Manager Shawn Carlson, or anyone you know on a committee or on the council. That’s it – take a deep breath and leap. You will be rewarded in so many ways!

Submitted By:
Matthew Foli, Section Chair
Date June 30, 2016

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Annual Report | 2014-15

Section Membership

As of June 17, 2015, the Section has 1,547 members.

Financial Status

The Section had an account balance of $151,184.28 as of April 30, 2015.

CLEs & Events

The Section hosted 2 CLE programs in fiscal year 2014-15. 

*The Section of Real Property Law served as co-host to the annual Real Estate Institute coordinated by Minnesota CLE.

Annual Meeting and Election Results

The Section’s Annual Meeting was held on November 14, 2014, in conjunction with the Real Estate Institute.

The following council members were elected to serve on the Section’s Governing Council from July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016:

            District A:      Thomas Bray & Alan Van Dellen

            District B:      Wayne Anderson

            District C:      J. Michael Melchert

            District D:      Daniel Maddy

            District E:      Andrew Shaw

            District F:      Scott Johnston

            District G:      Marty Helle

            District H:      Bradley Schmidt & Paul Goode

The following officers were elected to serve on the Section’s Governing Council from July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016.

            Chair:  Matthew J. Foli

            Vice-Chair:  Alan C. Thiel

            Secretary:   Jennifer Gilk

            Treasurer:  Eric P. Johnsrud

Submitted By:

Eileen M. Roberts

Chair, MSBA Section of Real Property Law

June 29, 2015