MSBA Public Law Section seeks help with
LRAP Race for Justice

Dear Public Law Section Members:

Once again, the Public Law Section is proud to sponsor a team of runners for the “Race for Justice” to be held April 13, 2008 at Nicollet Island at 11:00 am.  Proceeds generated from the race benefit law graduates through the Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP) of Minnesota. By subsidizing education debts for dedicated, low-paid public interest attorneys, LRAP helps meet the legal needs of low-income Minnesotans across the state.

The connection between the Public Law Section and LRAP is a natural one.  LRAP encourages new attorneys to enter into and retain positions serving the legal needs of low-income and other disadvantaged individuals by providing them with student loan repayment assistance.  Although modest, these grants are essential to the attorneys receiving them. This is the same population that we encourage section members to serve through our pro bono policy. 

The public law section is pledging $500 and encourages members to make individual contributions for our team.  The team is made up of Mary Miller (Dept. of Labor), Jim Alexander and Greg Brooker (both at U.S. Attorney’s Office), Louis Thayer (Dept. of Human Services, he also has “bum knee”) and Joel Fisher. 

You can make a contribution at http://raceforjustice.org/ For more information about the Race or sponsorship of the event, contact Erin Keyes at keye0019@umn.edu or Amber Fox at amberfox@umn.edu

Provides services and programs to meet the special needs of public lawyers and private attorneys involved in public law issues. The section sponsors CLE programs relevant to public law such as data practices, ethics for public lawyers, government immunities, constitutional law, legislative updates, and elimination of bias in the legal profession. Law Student Section members liaise with the Public Law Council. Committees: Awards, Data Practices, Ethics, Community and Public Serve, Membership, Local Government, and Newsletter.

• In-depth information on issues affecting public lawyers through quarterly newsletters, targeted CLEs, seminars and legislative updates.
• A chance to meet, work with, and build a powerful network of contacts in public and private sectors through seminars, committees and events.
• A voice in decision-making through special local and statewide committees, Supreme Court Boards, commissions, and task forces.

• Committees. The activities of the Public Law Section are planned and implemented by the Executive Council and various committees including Awards, Data Practices, Ethics, Law Clerk, Local Government, and Newsletter. Committees provide a way for you to make a difference in the success of the Section. The active participation of enthusiastic members is welcome. Indicate your interest on the application.
• Legislative Relations. The Public Law Section’s legislative relations activities are designed to: Improve legislative relations and public policy. Provide a voice for public attorneys in the legal system. Influence legislation affecting public lawyers. Monitor, suggest, draft, and provide opinions on such topics as Data Practices, legislation, the Ethics Rules, and the Client Securities Fund.
• Newsletters. Quarterly newsletters provide in-depth coverage of important trends and activities affecting public law. The publications include: New and proposed rules affecting public law Legislative updates Case summaries Opinions on statutes and decisions Profiles of public law agencies Calendar of Section and public law related activities, seminars, and CLE offerings News about members, promotions, appointments and awards Members’ opinions Letters to the Editor.
• Continuing Legal Education. The Public Law Section sponsors CLE programs relevant to public law. Samples of recent topics include: data practices, wetlands regulation, ethics for public lawyers, government immunities, intergovernmental agreements, Indian law, and telecommunications. These programs are free or inexpensive to public lawyers.

- Last Updated 3/19/08 -