Welcome back!

2021–22 MSBA President Jennifer Thompson  kicked off the association’s annual convention on June 22 in downtown Minneapolis, welcoming members back to the bar for its first in-person convention since 2019. The two-day event featured great networking and CLE presentations, including the annual State of the Judiciary address from Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Lorie Skjerven Gildea. During the first day of the convention, the association’s Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to George Soule for contributions to the profession and community throughout his career. And the MSBA leadership gavel was passed from Thompson to 2022-23 President Paul D. Peterson. Both big baseball fans, Thompson and Peterson donned Twins jerseys during their presentation, getting in the spirit for that evening’s baseball-themed MSBA social and a Twins game at Target Field, which capped off the first evening of the convention for attendees.

More awards

Other prominent annual MSBA awards were presented at the June 30 Assembly meeting, where this year’s Professional Excellence Award recognized the many professional contributions of the Hon. Matthew J. Opat. The President’s Award went to the development and business teams behind the Minnesota Judicial Branch’s Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) initiative. And Senior Judge Susan R. Miles, author of “Stress is what you think: the importance of a clear mind,” was named the winner of the Elmer Wiblishauser Award, presented by the Publications Committee to the author of the best article to appear in Bench & Bar in the preceding year.

Emeritus rule: Seeking input

The MSBA’s Access to Justice Committee is seeking input on the emeritus rule, the state’s program to allow retired attorneys to continue practicing pro bono with a legal services provider while in retirement status. The committee is particularly interested in hearing from those who are retired, approaching retirement, or considering retirement. To provide input, please complete a two-minute survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/msbaemeritus.

If you would like to learn more about the requirements for becoming an emeritus-status attorney, you can visit the Minnesota Board of Continuing Legal Education’s emeritus page at https://www.cle.mn.gov/lawyers/retired-lawyers-emeritus-2/