Program

8:00-8:30

Registration and Continental Breakfast

8:30-8:45

Welcoming Remarks by Robert Enger, MSBA President
MSBA President welcomes all lawyers attending the fourth annual Nine Days in June program.  His remarks will highlight the important policy work of the MSBA and well as demonstrate how the MSBA can assist you to efficiently deliver high quality legal services.

8:45-9:45

(EOB)

Falling Through the Cracks: Developing Family Structures
Even if you do not practice family law, you regularly work with clients in non-traditional families.  It is essential you have a general understanding of how these individuals and families are treated.  This segment was developed by the Family Law Section.  The program will examine 5-7 developing family structures such as a GLBT family; an ARTS family; the traditional family without a marriage; etc.  For each of the alternative structures three questions will be asked:

• How does the law treat this structure differently from the traditional family structure?
• How does the law treat the dissolution of this structure (whether from breakup or death)?
• What should non family law practitioners advise clients in these situations to do?

Presentation

9:45-10:45

Criminal Law:  Answers to Questions Every Lawyer Should Know
Like other areas of law, criminal law is becoming complex and specialized.  It is also a subject on which lawyers are regularly questioned by their clients, family or others.  The Criminal Law Section has developed this segment to help you answer some of the most common questions the public has about criminal law.  Even if you know some of this information before, you will need to attend this program because the answers have changed over the last decade and the stakes have become greater. 

10:45-11:00

Break

11:00-12:00

(Ethics)

Strategies for confronting the relentless economic pressures on the law firm
Success in the legal marketplace begins with an understanding of the trends and pressures facing lawyers in private practice.  With the relentless pressure to reduce costs and attract more clients in a competitive market, what strategies can lawyers adopt to find success and satisfaction?  The panel will examine the top trends that are affecting your ability to make money in private practice, and provide practical advice for meeting these challenges head on.

12:00-1:00

Lunch

1:00-1:30

State of the Judicial District
During this segment, you will hear from the Chief Judge of the Eighth Judicial District about the operations of the district; any changes in rules and personnel; and announcements on any new initiatives in the district.  You will benefit from a better understanding of the district court and how you can improve your interaction with the judges and courts staff.  It’s also a great time to ask questions about the courts’ operations.

1:30-3:00

Recent Appellate Cases
A Justice from the Minnesota Supreme Court, a judge from the Court of Appeals, and one of the leading appellate lawyers in Minnesota will walk you through the most significant appellate cases over the last year.  If you have not kept current with developments in Minnesota case law, this is your opportunity to catch up.  In addition to the presentation, the electronic handouts will include the full text of these cases.  The segment will also include information on court rule changes.

• Minnesota Court of Appeals Decisions

3:00-3:15

Break

3:15-4:15

The Art and Persuasion of Justice John Simonett
Justice Simonett was one of Minnesota’s greatest thinkers and most enjoyable writers.  He was famous for his wit and thoughtfulness, characteristics reflected both in his judicial opinions, and in his other writings. The segment, sponsored by the Supreme Court Historical Society, will examine Justice Simonett’s written work for the lessons they offer to legal writers today.