Minnesota Lawyer Legal News

Perspectives: Governors veto pen shows state-federal differences

Mon, 19 May 2008 11:36:50 CDT

“Beneath the rule of men entirely great, the pen is mightier than the sword.”

Bar Buzz

Mon, 19 May 2008 11:28:40 CDT

Welcome to Bar Buzz, the Sesquicentennial edition — 150 years in the making.

Low-value claims can be worthwhile - if they have class

Mon, 19 May 2008 11:19:08 CDT

Seeking class certification can be a major undertaking that involves a great deal of discovery and investigation. In some cases, it can take years just to get the question to a judge.

Commentary: The SMART way to do marketing

Mon, 19 May 2008 11:17:44 CDT

For too many lawyers, the idea of marketing is daunting because there are so many potential clients, so little time to reach them and so many options for pursuing them.

Commentary: Public defenders are the unsung heroes of the justice system

Mon, 19 May 2008 11:14:19 CDT

I have written before on this topic, but once again I feel I must take my hat off to the state’s many dedicated public defenders. While there is a raging political debate into which I will not wade over whether or not our Constitution is a “living” document, I can say this much: Without public defenders, due process would have long ago died a natural death for many of the state’s most disadvantaged residents.

When damages-only trials are the best option

Mon, 19 May 2008 11:09:02 CDT

Practitioners say that “damages-only” trials are rare, because generally when a defendant admits liability, the parties can agree on the extent of the plaintiff’s damages. Once in a while, however, that doesn’t happen.

ABA Criminal Justice Section issues report

Mon, 19 May 2008 11:07:30 CDT

State economic struggles, the war on terror and the continuing housing crises are each affecting the state of criminal justice in their own ways, as this year’s report from the American Bar Association Criminal Justice Section outlines.

Contractors contribution and indemnity claims are timely

Mon, 19 May 2008 11:06:24 CDT

The Minnesota Court of Appeals has determined that the contribution and indemnity provisions of the statute relating to improvements to real property are subject to a two-year statute of limitations but are no longer potentially barred by the 10-year-statute of repose.

Equal Justice Conference is a great success

Mon, 19 May 2008 11:02:46 CDT

Organizers of the Equal Justice Conference say the event, which was held in Minneapolis earlier this month, was a tremendous success. It was the first time the annual conference was held in the Twin Cities.

Ordinance must give way to state building code

Mon, 19 May 2008 10:57:50 CDT

A municipal ordinance that regulates rental housing is invalid where it purports to regulate a component or system of a residential structure and differs from the state building code, the Supreme Court has ruled.

Lawyers get around Minnesotas seatbelt gag rule

Mon, 19 May 2008 10:56:36 CDT

Minneapolis attorneys James Schwebel and Bob Schmitz recently settled a personal injury lawsuit involving the misuse of a seatbelt for $3 million.

Emotional-distress damages sought from attorney in legal malpractice case

Mon, 19 May 2008 10:40:25 CDT

In a highly unusual case, an Oak Grove couple is suing a lawyer whom they claimed mishandled an adoption.

A Creative Niche

Mon, 19 May 2008 10:39:13 CDT

What goes into establishing a new practice group? If a newly minted group at Fredrikson & Byron is typical, it takes patience, luck, determination the confluence of the right people executing the right idea at the right time.

UST to offer course in legal malpractice starting in fall

Mon, 19 May 2008 10:37:59 CDT

Getting sued for legal malpractice wouldn’t be something that you’d think many law students would want to contemplate. But apparently you’d be wrong.

Court says defendant forfeits right to counsel by assaulting attorney

Mon, 19 May 2008 10:30:26 CDT

As evidenced by a the facts of a decision handed down by the Minnesota Court of Appeals last week, being a public defender has its risks.

High court sets aside $1.8M legal fee award

Mon, 19 May 2008 09:33:06 CDT

The Minnesota Supreme Court has set aside a $1.8 million attorney fee award where the plaintiffs’ attorneys achieved what the court called only a limited success in a class action brought under the Minnesota Fair Labor Standards Act.

Ramsey County Bar Association honors local leaders

Mon, 12 May 2008 10:45:51 CDT

In celebration of Law Day, the Ramsey County Bar Association will award Julian Zweber, the Ramsey County District Court Interpreter Program and Centro Legal, Inc. with the 2008 Law Day Awards.

People & Practices

Mon, 12 May 2008 10:44:47 CDT

Glenna Gilbert has joined the Minneapolis office of Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P. as an associate. Gilbert’s practice focuses on intellectual property litigation and licensing. She received a law degree, cum laude, from the University of Minnesota Law School in 2004, as well as an M.S. in Pharmacology in 2005 and a B.A. in Biology, cum laude, in 1998 from the University of Minnesota.

Three services that make an attorneys lives easier

Mon, 12 May 2008 10:41:47 CDT

I use a lot of different software and hardware to assist me in the practice of law. This week I discuss three services that I wouldn’t want to do without.

Risky business: A look at liability insurance

Mon, 12 May 2008 10:39:16 CDT

Most law firms are familiar with the concept of insurance, if for no other reason than because of the issues involved with carrying professional liability insurance in the event of malpractice litigation.