Committees

The programs, services, and activities of the Computer Law Section are planned and implemented by the Governing Council and various active committees including Annual CLE, Contracts, Case Law, Legislation, Newsletter, and Noontime CLEs. Committees provide ways for you to provide leadership and make a difference in the success of the Section. The active participation of enthusiastic members is welcome.

For current listings of committee members, visit the MSBA's online directory.

• Annual CLE Committee
  Kari Wangensteen, Chair
  The Annual CLE Committee works with Minnesota CLE in planning the annual Computer Law Institute — a day long CLE program focusing on topics of interest to members of the Computer Law Section and to other attorneys. Typically, topics of the Computer Law Institute relate to legal issues involving the purchase, sale, licensing, and use of computer hardware and software.
  
  
• Case Law Committee
  Jim Blomquist and Kate Andresen, Chairs
  The Case Law Committee reviews new and important court decisions involving computer law and provides Section members notices that such decisions have issued and, where appropriate, summaries of the opinion.
  
  
• Contracts Committee
  Dan Tysver, Chair
  Kevin Brady, Vice-Chair
  The Contracts Committee is dedicated to keeping Section members and other interested parties apprised of changes in computer related contract and licensing law. The committee publishes check lists designed to highlight contractual issues and to suggest drafting approaches both for attorneys whose main practice is computer contracts and for those who deal with the subject only infrequently.
  
  
• Legislation
  Allen Oh
  The Legislation Committee monitors bills introduced into various legislative bodies for those pertaining to computer law. Particular attention is paid to the Minnesota Legislature and the United States Congress. When such legislation is introduced, the committee notifies Section members. In this way, Section members are kept up-to-date on legislative events and the Section is able to consider whether it wants to take positions on a bill or recommend that the MSBA do so.
  
  
• Membership/Law Student Outreach Committee
  Steve Buckingham, Chair
  John Taft, Vice-Chair
  The Membership/Law Student Outreach Committee seeks to build ties between the Section and students interested in pursuing a legal career involving computer law or related areas. The Committee sponsors several “meet and greet” opportunities throughout the school year and encourages student involvement in ongoing Section activities.
  
  
• Newsletter Committee
  Editor: Damien Riehl
  The Computer Law Section Newsletter is published quarterly and mailed to all members of the Section. The Newsletter contains articles regarding activities of the Section, minutes of the Section Council Meetings, upcoming events, and substantive articles on issues or developments in Computer Law.
  
  
• Nominations/Bylaws Committee:
  Chip Brink, Chair
  The Nominations Committee is charged with the task of collecting and evaluating information as to potential Council members and proposing a slate of candidates for the annual elections held in the Spring of each year.
  
  The Bylaws Committee is charged with reviewing the Section’s bylaws and recommending changes to the bylaws, when appropriate, the Section Council.
  
  
• Noontime CLE Committee
  Kendra Richgels and Vanessa Beardsley, Chairs
  The Noontime CLE Committee seeks to provide continuing legal education on computer-related subjects for Section members and others. Each year, the committee presents a series of no-cost seminars held over the noon hour. Presentations range from introductory level topics designed for lawyers with little experience in this area, to more advanced presentations for those who practice regularly in this area.
  
  
• Technology Roundtable:
  Gary Weinstein, Chair
  Chris Evans, Vice-Chair
  This is a new committee formed during the 2003-04 term. The Bar Association disbanded the “Internet Committee”, which was a stand-alone committee in the MSBA, in 2003. In response, the Computer Law Section formed the “Technology Roundtable” as a forum to facilitate the vibrant discussion the Internet Committee started so many years ago on issues relating to the Internet.
  
  
• Website Committee
  Michael Luzum
  The Website Committee works with MSBA staff to update the Section’s webpage with new information regarding the Section and its Council and Committee’s activities.

- Last Updated 11/14/05 -