Those facts are precious, rare,
and fragile miracles. In every nation at some time, and in every era
in some nation, even today, men and women have fought and died just
for the dream of these facts whose reality we Americans take for granted.
Throughout human history, only a few nations can claim any real experience
with them at all, and none for as long as ours can.
Let
me now share a bit about how we will celebrate. The MSBA Sesquicentennial
Task Force, chaired by Harry Haynsworth IV and Joan Schulkers, has
been working with the Minnesota Sesquicentennial Commission on events
commemorating our state’s—including our legal system’s—history and
heritage.
On
17–18 May, the state will host a celebration on the Capitol grounds,
which will include a reenactment of a landmark legal case, along with
video replays of the Landmark Center’s recent reenactments. Lawyers
and judges (in period costume!) will portray significant characters
in Minnesota legal history—such as Alexander Ramsey, our first territorial
governor and second governor elected under statehood; Rensselaer Russell
Nelson, the first federal judge in Minnesota, who served for 38 years
(during much of which he singlehandedly was the United States District Court for
the District of Minnesota); Martha Angle Dorsett, the first woman
admitted to the Minnesota bar; Frank Billings Kellogg, ABA President,
United States Senator, Secretary of State, and Nobel Peace laureate;
and Lena Olive Smith, the first woman of color admitted to the Minnesota
bar.
The
Task Force will also present a seminar on “The Cultures That Minnesota
Attorneys Have Served for 150 Years & The Cultures That Minnesota
Attorneys Will Continue to Serve” at the MSBA Convention (about which
more below).
And
the Task Force will have a presence at the State Fair.
The
Task Force is also excerpting articles and pictures from For the Record: 150 Years of Law & Lawyers in Minnesota, the excellent
history that the Association published in 1999 under Wood Foster’s
leadership. The excerpts will become a pamphlet for use at public
events and in schools.
MSBA Convention
The
annual convention isn’t exactly unusual—it is an annual event, after
all—but this year’s format is a bit unorthodox. Instead of the Wednesday-through-Friday
convention that has been around longer than I have, the Convention
Committee has been thinking outside the box and is planning a Sunday-to-Tuesday
convention: Sunday 15 June to
Tuesday 17 June in
Duluth.
Several
family-friendly events on Sunday—a bike ride, a kids party, and kayaking—will
make the Convention an attractive destination for Father’s Day.
The
Welcome Barbecue begins on Sunday at 6:30 at Grandma’s Sports Garden
in a semi-private area. A sunset cruise follows.
On
Monday, the continuing-legal-education program begins with a seminar
sponsored by the MSBA Civil Litigation Section on the 35W bridge collapse.
The Convention features 14 CLE seminars on topics ranging from appellate
practice, “greening” your law office, Indian law, and judicial appointments,
to name just a few.
Monday’s
lunch features Governor Tim Pawlenty.
On
Monday evening, the President’s Reception will be held at the historic
Glensheen mansion, leading into the late-night social hosted by the
New Lawyers Section. Before the reception, Ron Meshbesher, John Desanto,
and Judge David Bouschor will lead a seminar on the Congdon murder
trial, based on their own experiences.
Tuesday’s
lunch features Arctic explorer Will Steger.
Thanks
to chairs Jason Kohlmeyer and Lori Semke and the 2008 Convention Committee,
this Convention will be an extraordinary experience. You can register
now at http://www2.mnbar.org/convention/index.asp. I look forward to seeing
you in Duluth!
BRIAN MELENDEZ is president of the Minnesota
State Bar Association and a partner in the law firm of Faegre &
Benson LLP. He received his undergraduate and law degrees cum laude,
as well as a master’s degree in theology, from Harvard University.
He is active in numerous professional, civic, and alumni organizations
both locally and nationally.
