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Annual Reports
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MSBA ANIMAL LAW SECTION
Annual Report for 2006-2007
The MSBA Animal Law Section had a successful year, sponsoring four CLE programs, a full-day annual conference, and an annual meeting. There were 79 section members as of June, 2007.
CLE Programs
10/12/06 - “Minnesota’s Animal Cruelty Law”
This well-attended program featured guest speaker Keith Streff, Director of Investigations at the Animal Humane Society. Mr. Streff explained how Minnesota’s animal cruelty law is intended to work, how enforcement efforts are structured throughout the state, and how enforcement is sometimes impeded by subjective interpretation of the law. Mr. Streff shared numerous first-hand stories of enforcement efforts and remained for an extended question-and-answer period following his presentation.
12/14/06 - “Ending the Experiment - Striking Pound Seizure from Minnesota Statutes”
Guest speaker Amy Draeger presented a case for changing Minnesota statutes relating to pound seizure. Ms. Draeger noted that Minnesota is one of only three states which continue to require publicly-funded animal shelters to surrender their unclaimed animals for scientific research. She further discussed the connection between dognapping and pound seizure, ways in which cities have circumvented the law, and reasons for striking pound seizure from state statutes.
2/8/07 - “Horse Slaughter Legislation and the Problem of Unwanted Animals”
This program, featuring speakers Vicki McIntyre of McIntyre Legal Services, LLC, and Martha McPhee, CEO of the Animal Humane Society, was cancelled on 2/7/07 due to the untimely death of Martha McPhee. The program may be rescheduled during the 2007-08 year.
5/10/07 - “Animal Terrorism Enterprise Act”
Guest speaker Odette Wilkens, a member of the animal law committees of the American Bar Association and the New York City Bar Association, traveled to Minnesota to report on the recently-passed Animal Terrorism Enterprise Act (AETA), and to discuss concerns about the act’s potential impact on free speech and other First Amendment activity.
Annual Conference
The section’s 2nd Annual Animal Law Conference was held on 4/14/07 at William Mitchell College of Law. William Mitchell was once again a co-sponsor of the full-day event. The conference was attended by approximately 80 attorneys, students, veterinarians, and law enforcement officials.
Keynote speaker Bruce Wagman, attorney with Schiff Hardin, LLP, San Francisco, and Chief Outside Litigation Counsel for the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF), gave two presentations, one on animal hoarding, and another on the diverse practice of animal law. Mr. Wagman was exceptionally well-received and garnered rave reviews from attendees.
Other conference topics and speakers were:
- “Legislative and Judicial Overview of Animal Law” - Corwin Kruse, Dorsey & Whitney, LLP
- “Estate Planning for Companion Animals” - Vicki M. McIntyre, McIntyre Legal Services, LLC
- “Veterinary Malpractice Pointers through the Eyes of Veterinarians and Attorneys” - Panel Moderated by Katherine Bloomquist, Bloomquist Law Firm, LLC. Panelists: Marshall Tanick, Mansfield, Tanick, & Cohen, P.A.; Gary Persian, Merrigan Brandt & Ostenso, P.A.; Tracy Turner, DVM, Anoka Equine Veterinary Service; Pierce Fleming, DVM, Plymouth Heights Pet Hospital
- “Expert Testimony in Animal Law” - Katherine Bloomquist, Bloomquist Law Firm, LLC
The conference presentations were followed by a keynote reception sponsored by Mansfield, Tanick & Cohen, P.A. and Merrigan Brandt & Ostenso, P.A.
Attorneys attending the conference received six CLE credits. Continuing education credits were also provided for veterinarians and law enforcement attendees.
Annual Meeting
The section’s Annual Meeting was held on 6/14/07 at the MSBA offices. Agenda items included approving revised bylaws, receiving the annual conference and treasurer’s reports, electing new officers and council members, discussing section goals for 2007-08, and determining the 2007-08 programming schedule, with suggestions for speakers and topics.
Members voted to continue a schedule of offerings that would include at least four one-credit CLE programs on a bi-monthly basis and a six-credit Annual Conference. Suggested schedule for 2007-08 is: CLE programs at noon on the 2nd Thursday of the month in September, November, January, and May, with the Annual Conference on a Saturday in March in conjunction with William Mitchell College of Law. Additionally, the Council will explore opportunities for presenting a program at the MSBA Annual Conference, possibly as a co-sponsor with another MSBA section, such as Family Law or Probate and Trust.
Members also unanimously voted to approve new section bylaws. Interest was also expressed in updating the section website and in beginning a section e-newsletter which would apprise section members of upcoming animal law events locally and throughout the region.
Finances
The section will end the fiscal year with a treasury balance of approximately $3,500. The Council will make recommendations for use of any excess funds for the benefit of section members. Currently, the section funds are used primarily for communications with members, sponsorship of bi-monthly CLE programs, and underwriting of the section’s annual conference.
2007-08 Officers and Council Members
The 2007-08 Council will be comprised of 18 Council members and 3 Officers, the maximum allowed by the section’s bylaws.
Newly-elected Officers and Council members are:
Chair: Corwin Kruse
Vice Chair: Laura Hage
Secretary/Treasurer: Valorie Chadwick
Council Members (terms expiring 6/30/10): Kristen Rice, Amy Draeger, Ellen Weinstock, Kathryn Boyne, Cristy Gafney Kruse, Katy Bloomquist, Amy Mason, Michael Heise
Returning Council members are:
Terms expiring 6/30/08: Vicki McIntyre, Nancy Olkon, Gary Persian, Heidi Vesturs
Terms expiring 6/30/09: Marjorie Austin-Peterson, Matthew Berner, Valorie Chadwick, Barbara Gislason, Linda Murphy, Christine Weflen
Assembly Representatives 2007-08
Representative - Vicki McIntyre
Alternate - Corwin Kruse
Congratulations to all of the new Section Officers and Council members. We look forward to another active and successful year in 2007-08.
Respectfully Submitted,
Katherine C. Bloomquist
Section Chair, 2006-07
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- Last Updated 8/3/07 -