The Minnesota Supreme Court and Minnesota State Bar Association welcomed over 300 new lawyers to the Minnesota bar in six admission ceremonies held at the Minnesota State Capitol on October 27. The new lawyers join the ranks of 25,000-plus active licensed attorneys in Minnesota. Chief Justice Natalie Hudson led the proceedings in the House of Representatives chambers, joined by Associate Justices Anderson, McKeig, Thissen, Moore, and Procaccini.
Justice Thissen addressed the new lawyers and guests, talking about the profession’s privileges and responsibilities, the importance of protecting their health and well-being, and their duty to support the underrepresented and to use their voices to help others be heard. John Koneck, president of the Minnesota Board of Law Examiners (MBLE), gave the introduction and reported on the results of the summer 2023 bar exam, and MBLE Executive Director Emily Eschweiler read the roll of new candidates’ names. Chief Justice Hudson administered the oath; MSBA President Paul Floyd welcomed the newest members of the bar to Minnesota’s legal community and the association.
After each ceremony, the new lawyers were invited to sign their names in the Roll of Attorneys, advancing a practice that dates to 1858 and was reinstated in 2018 after a 35-year break. Attorneys admitted between 1983 and 2018 who would like to sign the roll book may do so by appointment at the Minnesota State Law Library.