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The official publication of the Minnesota State Bar Association

Commission on Judicial Selection recommends 4th Judicial District candidates to Gov. Walz
May 17, 2022
The Commission on Judicial Selection announced that it is recommending three candidates for consideration to fill a vacancy in Minnesota’s Fourth Judicial District.
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  • CATEGORY
  • MSBA in Action
It’s Not Enough to be Smart: The Case for Emotional Intelligence
May 10, 2022
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  • CATEGORY
  • practicelaw
Welcome, new lawyers!
May 09, 2022
The Minnesota Supreme Court and the MSBA welcomed new lawyers to the bar in multiple admission ceremonies held at the state Capitol on May 6, 2022.
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  • CATEGORY
  • MSBA in Action
Commission on Judicial Selection recommends 7th Judicial District candidates to Gov. Walz
May 09, 2022
The Commission on Judicial Selection announced that it is recommending three candidates to Governor Tim Walz for consideration to fill a vacancy in Minnesota’s Seventh Judicial District.
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  • CATEGORY
  • MSBA in Action
Gov. Walz appoints Maria Mitchell to fill 2nd Judicial District vacancy
May 05, 2022
Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan today announced the appointment of Maria Mitchell as District Court Judge in Minnesota’s Second Judicial District.
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  • CATEGORY
  • MSBA in Action
Commission on Judicial Selection opens application process for vacancy in the 3rd Judicial District
May 03, 2022
The Commission on Judicial Selection announced a new vacancy in Minnesota’s Third Judicial District.
Full story
  • CATEGORY
  • MSBA in Action
Gov. Walz appoints Elise Larson to Minnesota Court of Appeals
Apr 28, 2022
Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan announced the appointment of Elise Larson to the Minnesota Court of Appeals.
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  • CATEGORY
  • MSBA in Action
Commission on Judicial Selection recommends 2nd Judicial District candidates to Gov. Walz
Apr 26, 2022
The Commission on Judicial Selection announced that it is recommending three candidates for consideration to fill a vacancy in Minnesota’s Second Judicial District.
Full story
  • CATEGORY
  • MSBA in Action
Commission on Judicial Selection opens application process for vacancy in the 5th Judicial District
Apr 26, 2022
The Commission on Judicial Selection announced a new vacancy in Minnesota’s Fifth Judicial District.
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  • CATEGORY
  • MSBA in Action
Gov. Walz appoints Kathryn Iverson Landrum to fill 1st Judicial District vacancy
Apr 19, 2022
Governor Tim Walz announced the appointment of Kathryn Iverson Landrum as District Court Judge in Minnesota’s First Judicial District.
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  • CATEGORY
  • MSBA in Action
Commission on Judicial Selection recommends 1st Judicial District candidates to Gov. Walz
Apr 11, 2022
The Commission on Judicial Selection announcedthat it is recommending three candidates for consideration to fill a vacancy in Minnesota’s First Judicial District.
Full story
  • CATEGORY
  • MSBA in Action
Gov. Walz appoints Kevin Mueller to fill 10th Judicial District vacancy
Apr 04, 2022
Governor Tim Walz announced the appointment of Kevin Mueller as District Court Judge in Minnesota’s Tenth Judicial District.
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  • MSBA in Action
Governor’s merit selection panel recommends Court of Appeals candidates
Apr 04, 2022
Governor Tim Walz’s judicial merit selection panel announced that it is recommending four candidates for consideration to fill the upcoming vacancy on Minnesota’s Court of Appeals.
Full story
  • CATEGORY
  • MSBA in Action
Commission on Judicial Selection opens application process for vacancy in the 4th Judicial District
Apr 01, 2022
The Commission on Judicial Selection announced a new vacancy in Minnesota’s Fourth Judicial District.
Full story
  • CATEGORY
  • MSBA in Action
On square pegs and round holes: Understanding neurodiversity
Robert M. Schuneman
Apr 01, 2022
Haley Moss, an attorney and neurodiversity movement advocate, defines neurodiversity as an understanding that “we all have different brains. We all think differently, and no two people experience the world in the exact same way.”
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  • CATEGORY
  • Diversity and Inclusion
Minnesota courts embrace technology to enhance access, convenience, and transparency
Chief Justice Lorie S. Gildea
Apr 01, 2022
Court user-driven technologies remain a top priority for the courts and a driving force behind our work to continue modernizing how we operate.
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  • CATEGORY
  • Courts
Contents under pressure
JENNIFER THOMPSON
Apr 01, 2022
The MSBA has taken a step to change how law is practiced and thereby to improve incrementally the well-being of our profession. It is on all of us to continue to look for meaningful ways to do so—the Supreme Court, after all, has called us all to action.
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  • President's Page
Private discipline in 2021
SUSAN HUMISTON
Apr 01, 2022
In 2021 the Director’s Office closed 88 complaints with admonitions—a form of private discipline issued for violations of the Minnesota Rules of Professional Conduct that are viewed as isolated and nonserious.
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  • CATEGORY
  • Professional Responsibility
Still on the defensive: More on the Missouri website vulnerability investigation
Mark Lanterman
Apr 01, 2022
At the time of this writing, the Missouri governor has refused to acknowledge, let alone apologize for, the error in his original statements or for his handling of the situation
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  • CATEGORY
  • Technology
Some pro tips for the negotiating table
Austyn Boothe and Daniel Sheikhan
Apr 01, 2022
Throughout the nearly year-long Negotiation Competition cycle, we developed a variety of skills that helped us earn the title of world champions; the following skills have greatly informed our work and the way we navigate real-world legal situations.
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  • CATEGORY
  • New Lawyers
If you could reach back in time to give some advice to your first-year-in-practice self, what would it be?
Apr 01, 2022
Full story
  • CATEGORY
  • Colleague Corner
2022 lawyer registration? We can help
Apr 01, 2022
The first wave of 2022 lawyer registration notifications has gone out. Lawyers are now beginning to see the changes made last year to Uniform Pro Bono Reporting.
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  • CATEGORY
  • MSBA in Action
EJC in Minneapolis!
Apr 01, 2022
The American Bar Association and National Legal Aid & Defender Association Equal Justice Conference is coming to Minneapolis from May 12-14.
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  • MSBA in Action
Notes & Trends – April 2022
Apr 01, 2022
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  • Notes & Trends
Top 10 Tips for OCI
Nick Hansen
Mar 31, 2022
The New Lawyers Section organized a seminar for law students to help prepare for On Campus Interviews. Check out the top takeaways from the session.
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  • MSBA in Action
Gov. Walz appoints Leah duCharme and Heidi Schultz to fill 7th Judicial District vacancies
Mar 23, 2022
Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan announced the appointments of Leah duCharme and Heidi Schultz as District Court Judges in Minnesota’s Seventh Judicial District.
Full story
  • CATEGORY
  • MSBA in Action
Commission on Judicial Selection opens application process for vacancy in the 7th Judicial District
Mar 18, 2022
The Commission on Judicial Selection announced a new vacancy in Minnesota’s Seventh Judicial District.
Full story
  • CATEGORY
  • Type Here...
  • MSBA in Action
Commission on Judicial Selection opens application process for vacancy in the 2nd Judicial District
Mar 15, 2022
The Commission on Judicial Selection announced a vacancy in Minnesota’s Second Judicial District.
Full story
  • CATEGORY
  • Type Here...
  • MSBA in Action
Gov. Walz appoints Timothy Carey and Jacob Kraus to fill 2nd Judicial District vacancies
Mar 15, 2022
Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan today announced the appointments of Timothy Carey and Jacob Kraus as District Court Judges in Minnesota’s Second Judicial District.
Full story
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  • Type Here...
  • MSBA in Action
Walz, Flanagan seek applicants for a vacancy on the Commission on Judicial Selection
Mar 11, 2022
Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan announced a vacancy on the Commission on Judicial Selection. The vacancy is for an at-large attorney member seat.
Full story
  • CATEGORY
  • MSBA in Action
Commission on Judicial Selection recommends 7th Judicial District candidates to Gov. Walz
Mar 05, 2022
The Commission on Judicial Selection announced that it is recommending four candidates for consideration to fill two vacancies in Minnesota’s Seventh Judicial District.
Full story
  • CATEGORY
  • Type Here...
  • MSBA in Action
Minnesota cannabis law and the battle over hemp derivatives
JASON TARASEK
Mar 04, 2022
Here in Minnesota adult-use marijuana remains illegal and likely will remain illegal for the near future. Why? It’s complicated.
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  • CATEGORY
  • Legislation
Esquire this and Esq. that. Or: A stuffy, didactic trifle under 1,000 words
ADAM JOHNSON
Mar 04, 2022
In 2015, when I still had some green behind my ears—and not nearly the size of paunch that I now boast (the kind you can rest a Big Gulp on whilst second-chairing)—I wrote a short piece on the topic of the honorific title “esquire.” It appears that “esquire” is a kind of Hydra, capable of growth at treble rates.
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  • CATEGORY
  • Practice Pointers
Revisiting Minnesota’s 60-Day Rule and building permit applications
Julie N. Nagorski
Mar 04, 2022
Most cities and most practitioners believe that while the 60-Day Rule requires government to take prompt action on applications of many sorts, it does not apply to building permit applications. This belief needs a re-examination.
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  • CATEGORY
  • Construction Law
What happens when property owners don’t pay their property taxes?
Melitta Drechsler
Mar 04, 2022
What happens to nonpayers of property taxes is a question many property owners—those with mortgages—have little reason to consider. Banks and mortgage companies often collect the money to pay for property taxes from mortgage payments and save that money in an escrow account.
Full story
  • CATEGORY
  • Real Property
  • Tax Law
Bedrock rules: The law on non-commercial collection of rocks and fossils on public lands in Minnesota
KATHLEEN LI REITZ
Mar 04, 2022
Whether you are a professionally trained geoscientist or an amateur collector of these inorganic specimens, Minnesota has much to offer as long as you know where to look.
Full story
  • CATEGORY
  • Land Use Law
Lawyers make great leaders. That includes you.
JENNIFER THOMPSON
Mar 04, 2022
Whether leader was part of your childhood nickname or leadership is an experience you are looking to explore for the first time, the MSBA welcomes and encourages you to explore a leadership role within the association.
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  • President's Page
ABA Opinion 500 takes on language access in the client-lawyer relationship
SUSAN HUMISTON
Mar 04, 2022
Each year, the ABA Standing Committee publishes formal opinions interpreting the Model Rules; these opinions provide guidance to practitioners in interpreting the Model Rules and, by extension, the Minnesota Rules. In October 2021, the ABA issued Formal Opinion 500: Language Access in the Client-Lawyer Relationship.
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  • CATEGORY
  • Professional Responsibility
What we can already learn from the Cyber Safety Review Board
Mark Lanterman
Mar 04, 2022
In keeping with the 2021 Executive Order on Improving the Nation’s Cybersecurity, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security established the Cyber Safety Review Board last month.
Full story
  • CATEGORY
  • Technology
What’s your most useful legal technology tool —or tools, if you can’t pick just one—and why?
Mar 04, 2022
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  • CATEGORY
  • Colleague Corner
Updates: Courts and Legislature
Mar 04, 2022
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  • CATEGORY
  • Legislation
  • MSBA in Action
MSBF matching grant will boost legal aid
Mar 04, 2022
The MSBA is proud to announce that thanks to its members, we raised over $10,000 in our recent campaign for the Minnesota State Bar Foundation (MSBF). With the matching monies, that means that over $20,000 is headed to organizations around Minnesota.
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  • CATEGORY
  • MSBA in Action
Get involved with the Unbundled Law Project
Mar 04, 2022
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  • CATEGORY
  • Pro Bono
Notes & Trends – March 2022
Mar 04, 2022
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  • CATEGORY
  • Notes & Trends
Commission on Judicial Selection recommends 2nd Judicial District candidates to Gov. Walz
Feb 28, 2022
The Commission on Judicial Selection announced today that it is recommending four candidates for consideration to fill two vacancies in Minnesota’s Second Judicial District.
Full story
  • CATEGORY
  • MSBA in Action
Gov. Walz appoints Amber Brennan and Keala Ede to fill 4th Judicial District vacancies
Feb 24, 2022
Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan announced the appointments of Amber Brennan and Keala Ede as District Court Judges in Minnesota’s Fourth Judicial District.
Full story
  • CATEGORY
  • MSBA in Action
Commission on Judicial Selection opens application process for vacancy in the 1st Judicial District
Feb 23, 2022
The Commission on Judicial Selection announced a new vacancy in Minnesota’s First Judicial District.
Full story
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  • MSBA in Action
Gov. Walz appoints Stacey Sorensen to fill 1st Judicial District vacancy
Feb 17, 2022
Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan announced the appointment of Stacey Sorensen as District Court Judge in Minnesota’s First Judicial District.
Full story
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  • MSBA
Commission on Judicial Selection recommends 4th Judicial District candidates to Gov. Walz
Feb 15, 2022
The Commission on Judicial Selection announced today that it is recommending four candidates for consideration to fill two vacancies in Minnesota’s Fourth Judicial District.
Full story
  • CATEGORY
  • MSBA in Action
Commission on Judicial Selection recommends 1st Judicial District candidates to Gov. Walz
Feb 09, 2022
The Commission on Judicial Selection announced that it is recommending three candidates for consideration to fill a vacancy in Minnesota’s First Judicial District.
Full story
  • CATEGORY
  • MSBA in Action
Gov. Walz Appoints Thomas Christenson to Workers’ Compensation Court of Appeals
Feb 08, 2022
Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan announced the appointment of Thomas Christenson to serve as a Judge on Minnesota’s Workers’ Compensation Court of Appeals.
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  • MSBA in Action
Let’s talk about some time-saving legal tech
TODD C. SCOTT
Feb 01, 2022
The pandemic brought a lot of lawyers into the world of legal technology. Here’s a set of recommendations for integrating more tech and freeing up more time in ’22.
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  • CATEGORY
  • Technology
A Marvel-ous Copyright War
Larina Alton and Gabriel Ramirez-Hernandez
Feb 01, 2022
Disney’s latest fight to protect its intellectual property interests is no Mickey Mouse effort.
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  • CATEGORY
  • Intellectual Property
After Britney: An FAQ on Minnesota guardianship/conservatorship law
DAVID L. LUDESCHER
Feb 01, 2022
My intent in this brief article is not to provide a detailed analysis of the Britney Spears case or of guardianship and conservatorship law in Minnesota. Rather, I wish to show how the protections afforded by “the system” can fail people in Minnesota as well.
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  • CATEGORY
  • Estate Planning
A lawyer’s guide to the Minnesota legislative process
By Anne Sexton
Feb 01, 2022
Being a competent attorney necessitates understanding key aspects of Minnesota laws and the state legislative process. Through a strictly nonpartisan lens, here are 10 concepts to help us on that front.
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  • CATEGORY
  • Legislation
What we’re working on
JENNIFER THOMPSON
Feb 01, 2022
As we cross the midway point in the 2021-2022 bar year, here’s an update on the MSBA’s policy work.
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  • President's Page
Public discipline in 2021
SUSAN HUMISTON
Feb 01, 2022
The goal of public discipline is to protect the public, the legal profession, and the judicial system, and to deter further misconduct by the disciplined attorney and other attorneys.
Full story
  • CATEGORY
  • Professional Responsibility
The Log4j vulnerability is rocking the cybersecurity world. Here’s why.
Mark Lanterman
Feb 01, 2022
Cybersecurity experts have been quick to acknowledge the immense danger this vulnerability poses for almost all organizations. There are many types of attacks that can be facilitated via this route, such as the installation of malware and ransomware attacks, making it an easy-to-use tool for cybercriminals.
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  • CATEGORY
  • Technology
To answer the phone or not to answer the phone? Notes on clients and boundaries
Elizabeth Drotning Hartwell
Feb 01, 2022
Although maintaining professional boundaries is crucial for our own well-being, I’d like to offer an additional reason you should do so which I hope is also compelling: Professional boundaries are also a vital component in serving our clients well.
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  • CATEGORY
  • New Lawyers
Judicial discretion the John Grisham way
Tom Vasaly
Feb 01, 2022
The lead character in The Judge’s List is Lacy Stoltz, the director of the fictional Florida Board on Judicial Conduct. In real life, Tom Vasaly held a similar position as the former executive secretary of the Minnesota Board on Judicial Standards.
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  • CATEGORY
  • Book Review
ABA Equal Justice Conference coming to Minnesota
Feb 01, 2022
The ABA’s Equal Justice Conference (EJC) is being held in Minnesota this year for the first time in over a decade. The EJC, which will convene in Minneapolis May 12-14, is the nation’s premier conference for legal services and pro bono issues.
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  • MSBA in Action
North Star Lawyer Certification Open
Feb 01, 2022
Did you complete 50 hours or more of pro bono work in 2021? Would you like to be recognized for your work and show your commitment to pro bono in our communities? If so, the MSBA’s North Star Lawyer program is open for certification.
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  • CATEGORY
  • Pro Bono
  • MSBA in Action
Don’t miss our unbundled services CLE
Feb 01, 2022
On February 15, the MSBA is hosting a CLE to help expand the offering of unbundled services in our state.
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  • MSBA in Action
2022 Time’s Up is here
Feb 01, 2022
The 2022 Time’s Up Manual (formal title: A Manual of the Statutes of Limitations in Minnesota for Civil Litigators) was recently released by the MSBA Civil Litigation Section.
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  • CATEGORY
  • Civil Litigation
  • MSBA in Action
Notes & Trends – Jan/Feb 2022
Feb 01, 2022
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  • Notes & Trends
Gov. Walz announces upcoming vacancy on the Minnesota Court of Appeals
Feb 01, 2022
Gov. Tim Walz announced a vacancy on the Minnesota Court of Appeals.
Full story
  • CATEGORY
  • MSBA in Action
Gov. Walz appoints Christy Hormann to fill 3rd Judicial District vacancy
Jan 25, 2022
Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan announced the appointment of Christy Hormann as district court judge in Minnesota’s 3rd Judicial District.
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  • MSBA in Action
Minnesota Supreme Court Committee issues interim report on the Legal Paraprofessional Pilot Project
Jan 24, 2022
At the end of December 2021, the Standing Committee for the Legal Paraprofessional Pilot Project issued the Interim Report and Recommendations to the Minnesota Supreme Court required by the Order Implementing the Legal Paraprofessional Pilot Project.
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  • MSBA in Action
Letter to the editor: Leanne Fuith's "Is there a better way to admit lawyers?"
Jan 21, 2022
I was disheartened by Leanne Fuith’s article disparaging the validity of the bar exam. While some of her points such as adequately testing the ability for real life application and practice are important - that's not really something you can ever adequately test with any licensing exam whether it be law, nursing, medical, etc.
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  • CATEGORY
  • Letters to the Editor
Commission on Judicial Selection opens application process for vacancy in the 10th Judicial District
Jan 21, 2022
The Commission on Judicial Selection announced a new vacancy in Minnesota’s Tenth Judicial District.
Full story
  • CATEGORY
  • MSBA in Action
Commission on Judicial Selection opens application process for vacancies in the 7th Judicial District
Jan 18, 2022
The Commission on Judicial Selection announced two vacancies in Minnesota’s Seventh Judicial District.
Full story
  • CATEGORY
  • MSBA in Action
Commission on Judicial Selection opens application process for vacancies in the 2nd Judicial District
Jan 14, 2022
The Commission on Judicial Selection announced two vacancies in Minnesota’s Second Judicial District.
Full story
  • CATEGORY
  • MSBA in Action
Commission on Judicial Selection recommends 3rd Judicial District candidates to Gov. Walz
Jan 11, 2022
The Commission on Judicial Selection announced that it is recommending three candidates for consideration to fill a vacancy in Minnesota’s Third Judicial District.
Full story
  • CATEGORY
  • MSBA in Action
Commission on Judicial Selection recommends Workers’ Compensation Court of Appeals candidates to Gov. Walz
Jan 10, 2022
The Commission on Judicial Selection announced that it is recommending three candidates for consideration to fill a vacancy on Minnesota’s Workers’ Compensation Court of Appeals.
Full story
  • CATEGORY
  • MSBA in Action
Gov. Walz appoints Helen Brosnahan and Kari Willis to fill 10th Judicial District vacancies
Jan 03, 2022
Governor Tim Walz announced the appointments of Helen Brosnahan and Kari Willis as District Court Judges in Minnesota’s Tenth Judicial District.
Full story
  • CATEGORY
  • MSBA in Action
Commission on Judicial Selection opens application process for vacancies in the 4th Judicial District
Jan 03, 2022
The Commission on Judicial Selection announced two vacancies in Minnesota’s Fourth Judicial District.
Full story
  • CATEGORY
  • MSBA in Action
Governor Walz, Lt. Governor Flanagan announce appointments
Jan 03, 2022
Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan announced appointments to the Commission on Judicial Selection, Board of High Pressure Piping Systems, Great Lakes Protection Fund Board of Directors, and Minnesota Forest Resources Council.
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  • CATEGORY
  • MSBA in Action
Commission on Judicial Selection opens application process for vacancy in the 1st Judicial District
Jan 03, 2022
The Commission on Judicial Selection announced a new vacancy in Minnesota’s First Judicial District.
Full story
  • CATEGORY
  • MSBA in Action
Emma Denny
Dec 14, 2021
Tubman Safety Project Volunteer
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  • Pro Bono Spotlight
Commission on Judicial Selection recommends 10th Judicial District candidates to Gov. Walz
Dec 06, 2021
The Commission on Judicial Selection announced that it is recommending four candidates for consideration to fill two vacancies in Minnesota’s Tenth Judicial District.
Full story
  • CATEGORY
  • MSBA in Action
Is there a better way to admit lawyers? The future of the bar exam needs a hard look
LEANNE FUITH
Dec 06, 2021
The bar exam has long served as a gatekeeper to the profession, with the goal of protecting the public by ensuring that newly licensed attorneys meet minimum standards of competence. Yet critics have suggested that the bar exam has also served to “gatekeep” who can become a lawyer and that it works to exclude individuals along race, class, and gender lines.
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  • CATEGORY
  • Bar Exam
Nice-Petersen v. Nice-Petersen and me
NICOLE NICE
Dec 06, 2021
40 years after a landmark Minnesota Supreme Court decision, the child at the center of the case reflects on its impact
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  • CATEGORY
  • Children & the Law
  • Family Law
Diversity in defense: The path to management-side employment law as a diverse attorney
Nicole Dailo, Christopher H. Jison, and Richard Liu
Dec 06, 2021
It is our hope that law students and attorneys curious about the L&E practice area gain a better understanding of a management-side L&E attorney’s career path and the positive impact you can have, particularly as a diverse attorney.
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  • CATEGORY
  • Diversity
  • Labor and Employment
What is kosher? From Moses to Minnesota: A brief history of Jewish dietary law and the state’s courts
JUDAH DRUCK
Dec 06, 2021
Minnesota’s own forays into the world of kashrut (kosher law) have resulted in fascinating judicial and legislative discussions regarding the role government should, and constitutionally can, play in upholding Biblical law. This article details these discussions, and how courts and legislators have struggled with the question explored since Moses: What is and is not kosher?
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  • CATEGORY
  • Food & Drug Law
The delicious ironies of food product configuration protection
AUSTEN ZUEGE
Dec 06, 2021
Cases up to the present highlight continued aggressive assertions of trade dress rights by foodstuff manufacturers—coupled with pushback by courts to deny trade dress rights in purely functional product configurations.
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  • CATEGORY
  • Food & Drug Law
  • Intellectual Property
A great day to be a new lawyer
JENNIFER THOMPSON
Dec 06, 2021
At the end of October, I had the honor of offering a few remarks to the newest members of our profession when I spoke at the new lawyer admission ceremonies. The ceremonies were held (in person, mostly) in the House of Representatives chamber at the Minnesota State Capitol.
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  • CATEGORY
  • President's Page
Potential ethics rule changes
Susan Humiston
Dec 06, 2021
The ethics rules generally change infrequently. Currently pending before the Minnesota Supreme Court are petitions to amend the advertising ethics rules (Rule 7, Minnesota Rules of Professional Conduct) as well as a proposal to amend the confidentiality rules applicable to information held by the Director’s Office (Rule 20, Rules on Lawyers Professional Responsibility).
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  • CATEGORY
  • Professional Responsibility
On the defensive: Responding to security suggestions
MARK LANTERMAN
Dec 06, 2021
Deflection, anger, denial, minimization of the threat, and an instant resort to the blame game often follow an earnest attempt to inform upper management of a security concern.
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  • CATEGORY
  • Technology
Notes & Trends – December 2021
Dec 06, 2021
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  • CATEGORY
  • Notes & Trends
Pro bono spotlight: The Reentry Justice Program
Dec 06, 2021
The MSBA is proud to partner with legal services organizations across Minnesota to encourage pro bono and to let you know about opportunities to volunteer your time.
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  • CATEGORY
  • MSBA in Action
Minnesota’s newest attorneys sworn in at the Capitol
Dec 06, 2021
The Minnesota Supreme Court and the MSBA welcomed 345 new lawyers to the bar in seven admission ceremonies held at the state Capitol on October 29.
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  • CATEGORY
  • MSBA in Action
Commission on Judicial Selection opens application process for vacancy in the 3rd Judicial District
Nov 19, 2021
The Commission on Judicial Selection announced a new vacancy in Minnesota’s Third Judicial District.
Full story
  • CATEGORY
  • MSBA in Action
Commission on Judicial Selection opens application process for vacancy on the Workers’ Compensation Court of Appeals
Nov 17, 2021
The Commission on Judicial Selection announced a vacancy occurring on the Minnesota Workers’ Compensation Court of Appeals.
Full story
  • CATEGORY
  • MSBA in Action
Gov. Walz appoints Sarah Wheelock to fill vacancy on the Minnesota Court of Appeals
Nov 15, 2021
Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan announced the appointment of Sarah Wheelock, who will be the first Native American judge to sit on the Minnesota Court of Appeals.
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  • MSBA in Action
Governor’s merit selection panel recommends MN Court of Appeals candidates
Nov 05, 2021
The governor's merit selection panel announced that it is recommending three candidates for consideration to fill the upcoming vacancy on Minnesota’s Court of Appeals. This vacancy will occur upon the retirement of the Honorable Carol A. Hooten on November 30, 2021.
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  • MSBA in Action
This moment and this breath: A public defender writes about loss, survival, and extreme sports
Shauna Faye Kieffer
Nov 04, 2021
Everyone has their suffering. It's no secret that people who are drawn to sports that require total focus on that one moment—be it yoga breathing, skiing cliffs, or running until your legs could fall off—are seeking to be present in the moment and not lost in their despair. 
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  • CATEGORY
  • Wellness
Well-being is always a work in progress
Rachell Henning
Nov 04, 2021
The practice of law is not easy. In a profession filled with stress and deadlines, it is easy to ignore the fact that our bodies and minds have limitations. Failure to recognize our own humanity can result in consequences both personally and professionally.
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  • CATEGORY
  • Wellness
Transgender rights under siege in many state legislatures— including Minnesota’s
Daniel Choma, Tara Kalar, Ellen J. Kennedy, and Caitlin Schweiger
Nov 04, 2021
Across the U.S., the past year’s state legislative sessions have brought forth an unprecedented amount of legislation addressing transgender rights, most of the bills seemingly in response to recent strides made for transgender people in both state and federal courts.
Full story
  • CATEGORY
  • Legislation
5 tips for settling disputes through early mediation
Terri Krivosha and Melissa Muro LaMere
Nov 04, 2021
Our experience has given us insight into how early mediation can play a powerful role in resolving disputes. Below are five tips for reaching agreement in tough disputes through early mediation.
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  • CATEGORY
  • Mediation
The lifelong impact of law school mentoring
Uyen Campbell and Judith Rush
Nov 04, 2021
Each year, over 470 Minnesota lawyers and judges provide students at the University of St. Thomas School of Law opportunities to answer these and many other important questions. These mentors, and other informal mentors, play a crucial role in helping students define their professional identities and learn vital skills before they become lawyers.
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  • CATEGORY
  • Law School
  • Mentoring
Time to examine the bar exam
Jennifer Thompson
Nov 04, 2021
Last year, after a group of recent law school graduates requested that the MSBA Council examine the state of the bar exam and its role in the admission of new lawyers in Minnesota, it became clear to MSBA leadership that further efforts to study the issue were necessary.
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  • President's Page
Check the financial donation box for 2021
Nov 04, 2021
Last spring the Minnesota Supreme Court added Rule 25 to the Minnesota Rules of the Supreme Court on Lawyer Registration, requiring attorneys to report each year the approximate number of pro bono hours completed in the prior calendar year, and likewise to indicate by means of a check box whether they donated to legal services organizations that provide free services to low-income Minnesotans.
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  • Pro Bono
  • MSBA in Action
Pro bono opportunity: the eviction crunch
Nov 04, 2021
The MSBA is proud to partner with legal services organizations across Minnesota to encourage pro bono and to let you know about opportunities to volunteer your time. This month, we’re highlighting Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid’s (MMLA) Eviction Defense Screening Project.
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Court orders comment period and public hearing on MSBA lawyer advertising petition
Nov 04, 2021
In late June the MSBA filed a petition (ADM10-8005) requesting changes that would bring Rule 7 of the Minnesota Rules of Professional Conduct (MRPC), which governs attorney advertising, into alignment with ABA Model Rule 7, which was revised in 2018.
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Lawyer neutrals and other people’s money
Susan Humiston
Nov 04, 2021
Last’s month’s column focused on trust accounts and overdrafts. One reader asked an excellent follow-up question: What about lawyers who serve as neutrals? What are they to do with other people’s money that they hold?
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  • CATEGORY
  • Professional Responsibility
Go fish? Proportionality revisited
MARK LANTERMAN
Nov 04, 2021
Given the complexity of digital evidence and the risk of its corruption, it is important to establish fair and workable discovery protocols from the outset.
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  • CATEGORY
  • Technology
What lessons have you learned during the course of the pandemic—professionally or personally—that made you a better lawyer?
Nov 04, 2021
"I believe the wisest investment you can make is to invest your time in people, and the pandemic only reinforced that—personally and professionally."
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  • Colleague Corner
Short, sweet, and specific: Effective openings and closings in oral argument
Kyle R. Kroll