The Minnesota Lavender Bar Association is holdings its 20th Annual Conference this Friday, February 5. Topics covered in the conference include: 

For more information or to register, please click here. MLBA has generously offered three complimentary access codes for MNAPABA members and free admission to any MNAPABA law student member. Please email sukanyamomsenmn@gmail.com if you are attending and would like an admission code. Codes will be given on a first-come first-serve basis.

The Minnesota State Bar Association (MSBA) is holding a webinar with nationally-renowned career development consultant, Ida Abbott, moderated by Annamarie Daley of Jones Day, to discuss mentoring in the virtual world, when hallway chats and in-person coffees are difficult, if not impossible. Ida will discuss the importance of mentoring in today’s socially-distanced environment, how to be the best mentor, and how to get the most out of a mentoring session. Bring questions to this webinar for the Q&A session. For more information or to register, please click here. MNAPABA members attend for free (please email sachen@locklaw.com for a code to use during registration).

AMTA is a nonprofit that hosts trial advocacy competitions for undergraduate students, serving nearly 6,000 students who attend institutions ranging from community collects to research universities. These competitions use courtroom trial experience to teach critical and analytical thinking skills to students. AMTA is hosting virtual tournaments on all weekends in February and on the weekends of March 13 and March 20. Each trial takes approximately 2.5 hours to argue, and volunteers will attend a 30-minute virtual training session on the Thursday before the tournament.

For more information or to register, please click here. For questions, please email Mr. Andy Hogan, AMTA Judges Committee, at andy.hogan@gmail.com.

Maslon UPLIFT is a mock trial program serving eighth grade students who reflect the rich diversity of the Twin Cities. UPLIFT offers students engaging opportunities to learn from volunteer attorneys about the legal profession, criminal justice, and the court system. This year, UPLIFT will be taking place virtually this spring. Although there will not be a mock trial at the end of the program, UPLIFT will break students into groups with two coaches for weekly meetings.

St. Louis Park UPLIFT will meet on Wednesdays, 4:00-5:00 pm, March 3-May 5. Columbia Heights UPLIFT is still being scheduled, but will likely take place on Thursdays, 3:30-4:30 pm in April. For more information or to become a volunteer, please emailuplift@maslon.com.

Amid rising reports of discrimination from the Asian American community, Governor Walz and Lt. Governor Flanagan launched a Discrimination Helpline. You can call the Discrimination Helpline at 1-833-454-0148 or submit this online form. The helpline is staffed Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Translation services are available.

The United States is known as a nation of immigrants. Paradoxically, it is also a nation of xenophobia, and this irrational fear, hatred, and hostility toward immigrants has been a defining feature of our country from the colonial era to the Trump administration. Join award-winning author and historian Dr. Erika Lee, as she helps confront this history and explains how xenophobia works, why it has endured, and how it threatens the United States.

Dr. Erika Lee teaches American history at the University of Minnesota, where she is a Regents Professor, a Distinguished McKnight University Professor, the Rudolph J. Vecoli Chair in Immigration History, and the director of the Immigration History Research Center. Headliners is a popular series in which University scholars and researchers share firsthand knowledge of today’s most intriguing stories.

For more information about the program or to register, please click here.

Target’s Legal Affairs team is pleased to announce its Ninth Annual Legal Affairs Mock Interview Program. This program is an exciting opportunity for diverse 1Ls, 2Ls, and paralegals to polish up interview skills. This year’s event will take place January 7, 2021 via Zoom, from 12:45 pm to 4:30 pm.

Target’s General Counsel, Don Liu, will kick off the program, followed by a panel discussion with HR and other professionals, informal discussion sessions with Target team members, and two realistic interviews and feedback. RSVP to the program by December 14.

Target Legal Affairs Mock Interview Program

Target’s Legal Affairs team is pleased to announce its Ninth Annual Legal Affairs Mock Interview Program. This program is an exciting opportunity for diverse 1Ls, 2Ls, and paralegals to polish up their interview skills!

These interviews are not for actual positions at Target but rather are our team’s effort to help students prepare for future interviews regardless of career aspirations.

Schools will be provided three different sample job descriptions (Law Clerk, Paralegal, and Consultant - Reputation Management) for students to consider. Limited spots are available for diverse (i.e., race/ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and physical abilities) 1Ls, 2Ls, and paralegals at each school.

WHEN AND WHERE:

• Thursday, January 7, 2021

• Online via Zoom

• 12:45 – 4:30

WHAT TO EXPECT:

• Target’s General Counsel, Don Liu will kick the program off (15 minutes)

• Panel discussion with HR and other professionals (30 minutes)

• Informal discussion sessions with Target team members regarding how they put their legal education to use supporting various areas of Target’s business (30 minutes)

Two realistic interviews and feedback (Two 30 minute interviews between 2-4:30)

HOW TO RSVP:

RSVP by December 14 by sending a copy of your resume to the contact listed below from your school in an email entitled Target Legal Affairs Mock Interview Program. Space is limited so please respond quickly.

• Mitchell Hamline School of Law: Debbie Shapiro
• University of St. Thomas School of Law: Monica Gould
• University of Minnesota School of Law: Alison Plavin
• Hamline University: J. Boone Dryden
• North Hennepin Community College: Mary Fenske

DRESS CODE:

This is a mock interview, and although you are not being considered for a real position, get the most out of the experience and wear interview appropriate attire.

The Target Team looks forward to seeing you on January 7!

The MWL Leadership Institute focuses on essential leadership skills, particularly as it relates to addressing gender, racial, and social equity within the profession and community. The Institute will offer an inclusive and confidential space to deeply engage in this work, both within the full Institute cohort, in smaller break-out pods, and through individual coaching. All sessions will be held remotely via Zoom, between January and June 2021, and 12 to 14 CLE credits will be applied for.

Applications, including the narrative statement, must be received at MWL by 5:00 pm on December 7, 2020. For more information on the program and to apply, please click here.

The Commission on Judicial Selection recently announced the below new vacancies. Details for each vacancy and its application process are provided below.

For more information about the application process, please contact the Office of the Governor and Lt. Governor at Judicial.Selection@state.mn.us. For more information about the judicial selection process, please click here.

Minnesota’s Fourth Judicial District (Minneapolis)

There are two new vacancies in the Fourth Judicial District, occurring upon the retirements of the Honorable Kevin S. Burke and the Honorable Mary R. Vasaly.

The application process is now open for these vacancies. The Commission is searching for fair, experienced, and civic-minded individuals to serve on the bench and offer their talents to Minnesota’s judicial system. Per statute, the Commission will consider the following qualifications for judicial office: integrity, maturity, health (if job related), judicial temperament, legal knowledge, ability, experience, and community service. The Commission is seeking applicants who reflect Minnesota’s full diversity. 

Individuals wishing to apply may request an application and application instructions by contacting the Office of the Governor and Lt. Governor via e-mail at Judicial.Selection@state.mn.us. Only one application is required to apply for both vacancies. Application materials are due by close of business on Tuesday, December 22, 2020, and should be addressed to the Chair of the Commission, Ms. Erin Sindberg Porter. The Commission expects to hold interviews in mid-January 2021. 

Minnesota’s Seventh Judicial District (Fergus Falls)

There is one new vacancy in the Seventh Judicial District, occurring upon the retirement of the Honorable Barbara R. Hanson. 

The Commission is searching for fair, experienced, and civic-minded individuals to serve on the bench and offer their talents and services to Minnesota’s judicial system. Per statute, the Commission will consider the following qualifications for judicial office: integrity, maturity, health (if job related), judicial temperament, legal knowledge, ability, experience, and community service. The Commission is seeking applicants who reflect Minnesota’s full diversity.

Individuals wishing to apply may request an application by contacting the Office of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor via e-mail Judicial.Selection@state.mn.us.

Application materials are due by close of business on Monday, December 7, 2020 and should be addressed to the Chair of the Commission, Ms. Erin Sindberg Porter. The Commission expects to hold interviews in late December.

Minnesota Workers’ Compensation Court of Appeals (St. Paul)

There are two new vacancies on the Workers’ Compensation Court of Appeals, occurring upon the expiration of the terms of Judges David A. Stofferahn and Deborah K. Sundquist.

The Committee is searching for fair, experienced, and civic-minded individuals to serve on the bench and offer their talents to Minnesota’s judicial system. Per statute, candidates must be learned in the law, have been licensed to practice law for at least five years, and have experience with and knowledge of workers’ compensation and the workers’ compensation laws of Minnesota. In addition, the Commission will consider the following qualifications for judicial office: integrity, maturity, health (if job related), judicial temperament, legal knowledge, ability, experience, and community service. The Commission is seeking applicants who reflect Minnesota’s full diversity.

Individuals wishing to apply may request an application by contacting the Office of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor via e-mail Judicial.Selection@state.mn.us.

Application materials are due by close of business on Friday, December 4, 2020 and should be addressed to the Chair of the Commission, Ms. Erin Sindberg Porter. The Commission expects to hold interviews in mid-December.

Program Description:

Diversity and inclusion in the life sciences industry is critical, not only to gain insights and foster innovative ideas from people of different backgrounds, but also to address the needs of the diverse populations that life sciences companies serve.  However, a 2019 survey of biotech companies indicates that many companies in this space still have a long way to go in their representation of diverse populations at the executive and board levels and in implementing D & I programs at their organizations. 

Incorporating D&I efforts into all aspects of a company's operations, giving everyone a chance to thrive and advance, not only has been shown to lead to greater business growth and successes, it provides a richer experience for all stakeholders and is just the right thing to do. 

Come hear three diverse women legal leaders from Boston Scientific, Medtronic, and Nestlé Health Sciences discuss why D&I is particularly important in the life sciences industry – the unique challenges, concerns and opportunities – and how their companies are working to move the needle forward both internally and through their engagement with external partners.

Presentation Panelists:

Desiree Ralls-Morrison, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary | Boston Scientific
Malini Moorthy, Vice President and Chief Deputy General Counsel | Medtronic
Sheea Sybblis, Associate General Counsel | Nestlé Health Science - NYC

Moderator:

Patricia Kaufman, Partner | Stinson LLP

CLE Credits:

1.0 Elimination of Bias CLE Credit applied for | Event code: TBD      

Remote Participation: 

Webcast and/or phone participation is available. Please indicate your remote option for dial-in when registering. Instructions will be sent via e-mail a day prior to the program.

Cost:

FDD Law Section Members:  Free
MSBA Members not in the FDD Law Section:  $10.00
Non-MSBA Members:  $15.00
Law Students: Free

Join the Food Drug & Device Law Section: MSBA members who are not members of this Section can join the Section and attend this CLE for free. Click here to add the section to your MSBA membership and then contact Geen Mui at gmui@mnbars.org to register for this CLE at no cost.

Deadline to Register: November 27, 2020

Want more information about the Food, Drug & Device Law Section? 
To register with a check, please mail in this registration form.
Need to cancel? Please see our cancellation policy.
Questions? Contact Geen Mui | 612-278-6346 

The MSBA is committed to creating an inclusive environment in which all members can participate fully. If you need reasonable accommodations to participate in this event, please notify Geen Mui via phone or email: gmui@mnbars.org.  Please provide notification at least 72 hours prior to the meeting to allow sufficient time to make arrangements for accommodations. Thank you.

Visit the Minnesota Bar website for additional information.