Capitol Retort: Protest dismissal; union win; bye-bye Butler?

Kevin Featherly October 17, 2018 Leave a comment

Clearwater County District Judge Robert Tiffany abruptly dismissed charges against three climate change activists during their trial Oct. 9, saying prosecutors failed to prove that the protesters’ attempt to shut down two Enbridge Energy oil pipelines caused any damage. In this photo, defendant Emily Johnston, center, speaks outside Clearwater County courthouse in Bagley, Minnesota, with co-defendant Ben Joldersma, left, and his daughter, and former NASA scientist James Hansen. (Minnesota Public Radio via AP)

Our review of issues in state and national news, with a rotating cast of political people in the know.

Breaking the Ice: Science, law merge in food-borne illness practice

Todd Nelson October 11, 2018 Leave a comment

Ryan Osterholm, attorney at Pritzker Hageman, with a handful of pumpkin seeds. (File photo: Bill Klotz)

Ryan Osterholm’s food-borne illness litigation practice combines his “medical family background” and long-time interest in the law.

Tagged with: Breaking the Ice

Capitol Retort: Kavanaugh confirmed; police review; skol Vikings

Kevin Featherly October 10, 2018 Leave a comment

Chief Justice John Roberts, right, administers the constitutional oath to Judge Brett Kavanaugh in the Justices’ Conference Room of the Supreme Court Building in Washington. Ashley Kavanaugh holds the Bible. In the foreground are their daughters, Margaret, left, and Liza. (Cutline: Collection of the Supreme Court of the United States)

Our review of issues in state and national news, with a rotating cast of political people in the know.

Tagged with: Capitol Retort

Breaking the Ice: Pursuing social change full time at ACLU

Todd Nelson October 4, 2018 Leave a comment

As a staff attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union, David McKinney is responsible for integrative advocacy, identifying potential civil rights and civil liberties issues and working with colleagues to address them. (File photo)

David McKinney said he “felt compelled to get into the fight” in part in response to the “increase in racist rhetoric and action that we’ve seen in the country in the last year.”

Tagged with: Breaking the Ice

Capitol Retort: FBI probe, new judges, moon dust

Kevin Featherly October 3, 2018 Leave a comment

State Supreme Court Chief Justice Lorie Gildea plans to ask the Legislature for two new judgeships. (File photo)

Our review of issues in state and national news, with a rotating cast of political people in the know.

Tagged with: Capitol Retort

Breaking the Ice: Literary training informs legal practice

Todd Nelson September 27, 2018 Leave a comment

“Literary training is heavy in writing as well as reading, which gives you a head start in using language to communicate effectively with courts, other lawyers and clients."

Tagged with: Breaking the Ice

Capitol Retort: Teenagers, tight race, dystopian fat-shaming

Kevin Featherly September 26, 2018 Leave a comment

Protesters sit and chant against Judge Brett Kavanaugh as Capitol Hill Police officers make arrests Monday outside the office of Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP photo)

Our review of issues in state and national news, with a rotating cast of political people in the know.

Tagged with: Capitol Retort

Breaking the Ice: From high school classroom to legal practice

Todd Nelson September 20, 2018 Leave a comment

Pamela Steinle began working at Sunde Olson Kircher & Zender in St. James in 2015. (File photo: Bill Klotz)

Pamela Steinle has gone from teaching high schoolers to teaching clients about trust and estate planning as an attorney at Sunde Olson Kircher & Zender in St. James.

Tagged with: Breaking the Ice