Breaking the Ice: Combining private investment, public incentives in rewarding practice

Todd Nelson October 26, 2018 Leave a comment

Lara Page’s past projects include the redevelopment of the Pillsbury A Mill on Minneapolis’ riverfront and the former Schmidt Brewery in St. Paul. (File photo: Bill Klotz)

"The biggest misconception about attorneys is that we’re all combative and just looking for a fight."

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Capitol Retort: Divorce records, calm or contentious, cremated cookies

Kevin Featherly October 24, 2018 Leave a comment

State attorney general candidate Keith Ellison’s divorce records were recently unsealed. (File photo: Alex Kormann /Star Tribune via AP)

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

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Breaking the Ice: Attention to detail pays off in liability practice

Todd Nelson October 19, 2018 Leave a comment

Philosophy studies, working as a newspaper copy editor and law school sharpened Ike Messmore’s eye for detail. (File photo: Bill Klotz)

Ike Messmore is proud of his “ability to identify those five words out of tens of thousands as a potential place to make an argument that my clients weren’t contractually liable."

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.”

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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.

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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."

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