April/May 1999 

 Marking the First 150 Years

by Mark Gehan

Sometimes I think the MSBA Convention is like the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis: We are certainly glad it is there, and we would be sad if it weren't, but we hardly ever go there. This year's convention will be held at the beginning of July in Duluth. I invite all members to attend what will be an interesting, entertaining and important conference of our profession.

This convention will mark the end of the first 150 years of Minnesota's judicial system and the practice of law in Minnesota. In recognition of this, the MSBA is publishing a retrospective of these years, For The Record: 150 Years of Law & Lawyers in Minnesota, which will be available for the first time at the Duluth annual meeting. Over 300 lawyers have participated in the production of this book that celebrates our traditions as we go into the next millennium.

There are two important issues that will come before the General Assembly during the business meeting at the convention. Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers has proposed to expand its services to include intervention and referrals for lawyers suffering from depression. A draft report prepared by the MSBA Depression Task Force proposes that the program should be funded by an assessment on all lawyers to be paid from our annual licensing fees. It is likely that the committee will ask the General Assembly to join in a petition to the Supreme Court seeking such an assessment.

The Legal Assistance to the Disadvantaged ("LAD") Committee has filed a draft report proposing that the Supreme Court require lawyers to report hours worked and contributions made on behalf of pro bono clients or organizations. Any final report will be brought forward at the convention seeking a resolution of approval by the MSBA.

The world is run by those who come to the meetings. Please join your colleagues and friends in Duluth this summer.

MARK W. GEHAN of St. Paul is president of the MSBA. A partner in the firm of Collins, Buckley, Sauntry & Haugh, he received his J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School and recently served as special master in the historic Minnesota tobacco litigation.