Click here for a schedule of free how-to CLE courses on the MSBA's newest time-and-money savers: mndocs for document assembly automation and fastcase for free online legal research.
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Hail the Chief:
Friday reservation deadline
Join the MSBA in honoring retiring Supreme Court Chief Justice Russell A. Anderson. We are hosting a dinner on Thursday, May 15 at the Marriott City Center. Individual tickets are $60 or you can sponsor a table for $650 and receive special recognition in the event’s program. For more information, contact Joni Fenner of the MSBA staff. Click here to reserve your space by Friday, May 9.
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Help Determine the Future of the Paralegal Education
North Hennepin Community College and Inver Hills Community College would like to work with paralegals and lawyers to assist in a review of their paralegal program curriculum. Both programs are approved by the American Bar Association, and the ABA requires that approved programs regularly assess the rigor and relevancy of their programs. NHCC and IHCC are looking for volunteers who would be willing to meet for one morning to talk about today's legal environment. Your help is needed to answer a very important question—what skills and educational experience do students need to be successful in today's market? This focus group event will be held on Thursday, June 12 from 8 a.m.to1:30 p.m. on the campus of North Hennepin Community College, in Brooklyn Park. A continental breakfast and lunch will be provided. If you are interested in participating in this event, use this link to register:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=i7Dti3hyx98qjG6M3NgGXw_3d_3d
If you would like more information, contact Sally Dahlquist at sdahlqu@inverhills.edu or Renae Fry at renae.fry@nhcc.edu.
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Applications/Nominations sought
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Nominations being accepted for the 2007-08 MSBA Professional Excellence Award This award is intended to recognize and encourage professionalism among lawyers. The Professional Excellence Award is the Association’s most prestigious award. The recipient receives a plaque, statewide recognition and a $1,000 contribution to the charity of the recipient’s choice. All MSBA members are eligible to nominate or be nominated for the Professional Excellence Award. Recipients of the Professional Excellence Award must have demonstrated substantial efforts to advance the legal profession and the administration of justice. Previous recipients include: retired Chief Justice Douglas Amdahl, Paul Onkka, DePaul Willette, Justice John Simonett, Richard Pemberton, Paul Marino, Judge Diana Eagon, Harry J. Haynsworth, Neil Hamilton, Charles Lundberg and, most recently, Thomas Conlin and Judge Kenneth Jorgensen.
Nominations must be submitted no later than Wednesday, May 14 to: Joni Fenner, Minnesota State Bar Association, 600 Nicollet Mall, Suite 380, Minneapolis, MN 55402 or fax to 612/333-4927. The MSBA Council will select the recipient of the Professional Excellence Award at its May meeting. The Award will be presented at the MSBA Convention June 15-17 at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center. Nomination Form
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The following positions on outside boards will be selected by the MSBA Assembly at its June 17 meeting. Members interested in being elected should submit a Qualifications and Interest Statement to the MSBA office by May 12, 2008.
- Anishinabe Legal Services Board – The term of Bill Thompson expired December 31, 2007. Mr. Thompson is not interested in serving another term.
- The Assembly, sitting as the members of the Minnesota State Bar Foundation, will elect directors of the Foundation. The three-year terms of the following directors expire on June 30, 2008: Linda C. Barbe, James P. Barone, Richard Hendrickson, Cynthia Jokela Moyer, and Pamela Waggoner. Ms. Barbe, Mr. Barone, Mr. Hendrickson, and Ms. Waggoner are eligible and interested in serving an additional term. Link to Q & I
Supreme Court Boards
- The Minnesota Supreme Court invites applications to fill one lawyer and one public (non-lawyer) vacancy on the Client Security Board. The Client Security Board was established by the Minnesota Supreme Court to pay genuine claims against lawyers who have intentionally and dishonestly caused clients to lose money. The seven member volunteer Board, composed of five lawyers and two non lawyers, pays the claims with funds collected through annual fees paid by attorneys. This board oversees the distribution of funds. The appointment is for a three-year term, with the possibility of reappointment for a second term. Applicants should submit a letter of interest and resume to Frederick K. Grittner, Clerk of the Appellate Courts, Minnesota Judicial Center, 25 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, St. Paul, MN 55155. The deadline for applications is May 30, 2008.
- One lawyer position and one public position (non-lawyer) are open on the thirteen-member Minnesota State Board of Continuing Legal Education. The all-volunteer Board is made up of three public members, nine attorneys and one district court judge. The Supreme Court appoints members and designates one member as chair.
The Board is responsible for:
• accrediting continuing legal education courses presented in Minnesota and elsewhere;
• administering the process by which attorneys’ continuing legal education credits are reported;
• administering the process by which attorneys are removed from “active status” for failure to complete continuing legal education.
Members may serve two three-year terms. The Board meets approximately four times per year in St. Paul and meetings last between two and three hours. An hour or less of preparation is required prior to meetings. Sub-committee meetings may also be scheduled to address current issues. Matters considered by the Board include review and accreditation of legal courses, review of Board policy and administrative procedures, and consideration of appeals by attorneys who are allegedly not in compliance with CLE requirements. The Board employs an Executive Director and a staff of three. Board members are reimbursed for costs of travel and lodging, if necessary. Persons interested in being considered for appointment should submit a letter of interest and curriculum vitae to Frederick K. Grittner, Clerk of the Appellate Courts, 25 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd., Room 305, St. Paul, MN 55155. The deadline for applications is May 30, 2008.
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Working On Purpose Workshop will be hosted by Minnesota Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers on Friday, May 23, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Read more
What's the Latest from the Legislature?
View the MSBA's Lawyers Legislative Ledger
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Member Services News
- Now Available! New substantive areas in the mndocs document automation system. Beta versions of Family Law and Guardianship/Conservatorship are now ready for download and use.
- mypractice, the MSBA's professional networking site, has hit the 280-member mark. The MSBA's three- month-old experiment in a professional online networking has grown quickly to 280 members. mypractice, available at www.mypracticelaw.org, brings Minnesota lawyers together in an online community featuring legal events, news, networking opportunities, and career resources. New features are frequently added as the service grows, including the newest feature: online collaborative form drafting. You're invited to try it out. Contact Greg Luce if you have questions or comments.
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