Minnesota Lawyer calendar of events

WEDNESDAY, JULY 8

Minnesota Estate Tax Elections Overview

Host: Minnesota Paralegal Association

Time: Noon to 1 p.m.

Location: Online via Zoom

Cost: Free for members, $15 for nonmembers

Description: Get an overview of key Minnesota estate tax elections, including differences between the Minnesota and federal QTIP elections, the alternative and special valuation elections, and options for payment extensions and installment plans. You’ll also learn about qualification requirements for the qualified small business and farm property deductions and get a walkthrough of Form M706Q.

The People’s Lawyer, not Other People’s Lawyer – Working with Pro Se Parties as a Government Attorney

Host: Office of the Attorney General

Time: Noon to 1 p.m.

Location: Online via WebEx

Cost: Free

Description: Attorneys, especially public law attorneys, often interact with members of the public, including those not represented by an attorney. In certain contexts, professional ethics rules come into play when dealing with unrepresented persons, such as pro se litigants and witnesses. This session will cover best practices and ethical obligations in dealing with unrepresented persons.

THURSDAY, JULY 9

Using AI in Jury Selection

Host: Minnesota Association for Justice

Time: 2 to 3:15 p.m.

Location: Live webinar

Cost: $99 for members, $129 for nonmembers

Description: Learn how AI tools like ChatGPT can assist attorneys in voir dire preparation through juror profiling, question development, and case-theme analysis. Topics include the risks of algorithmic bias, ethical considerations, and emerging best practices for responsible AI use in litigation. Get practical strategies for integrating AI into jury selection while promoting fairness, diversity, and compliance in the courtroom.

TUESDAY, JULY 14

The Evolving Second Amendment: Bruen and This Term’s Supreme Court

Host: University of Minnesota Law School

Time: Noon to 1 p.m.

Location: Virtual event

Cost: Free

Description: The Supreme Court’s decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen transformed Second Amendment doctrine, replacing longstanding balancing tests with a history-and-tradition test. Its impact continues to reshape firearm regulation nationwide. This program will explain the Bruen framework and the Supreme Court’s two major Second Amendment decisions from this term. 1.0 standard CLE credit requested.

THURSDAY, JULY 16

ABLE for Beneficiaries and Guardians

Host: Minnesota State, Hennepin County and Ramsey County Bar Associations

Time: Noon to 1 p.m.

Location: Online via Zoom

Cost: $15 for members, $50 for nonmembers, free for law students and new admittees

Description: Learn about the ABLE account, a planning tool for individuals with disabilities that allows them to save money while preserving eligibility for asset-based public benefits. This session will focus on considerations for evaluating when to use an ABLE account, advising clients on administration, and discussing the unique interaction between ABLE accounts and guardianship powers under Minnesota law.

JULY 20 TO JULY 21

2026 Cannabis Law Conference

Host: Minnesota CLE

Time: 9 a.m. Monday to 5 p.m. Tuesday

Location: Minnesota CLE Conference Center, 600 Nicollet Mall, Suite 370, Minneapolis

Cost: $445 for members and paralegals, $495 standard rate

Description: The 4th Annual Cannabis Conference will provide you with essential updates and developments regarding cannabis law in Minnesota. Planned topics include updates from the Office of Cannabis Management along with key legislative, regulatory, and market updates. Breakout sessions will focus on business, regulatory and compliance issues relating to cannabis and hemp. 9.0 CLE credits requested.

TUESDAY, JULY 21

Balancing the Scales: A Dialogue on Attorney Well-Being

Host: Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers

Time: Noon to 1 p.m.

Location: Presented via Zoom

Cost: Free, registration required

Description: This session examines the unique stressors faced by attorneys and places them within the broader context of the legal profession’s well-documented mental health and substance-use challenges. Learn to identify common sources and warning signs of stress and impairment, explore strategies for managing workloads and personal and professional stressors, and learn about confidential support options and how to seek help without stigma.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 22

Storytelling with Digital Evidence

Host: Minnesota State Bar Association

Time: Noon to 1 p.m.

Location: Online via Zoom

Cost: Free for members and law students, $50 for nonmembers

Description: Storytelling is a powerful and effective way to present your case to a judge or jury. This session will focus on how to use digital evidence in a story. Learn how attorneys can use storytelling to effectively present complicated digital evidence in a simple and easy to follow format.

THURSDAY, JULY 30

Women in the Law Breakfast

Host: Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association

Time: 8:30 to 10 a.m.

Location: Minneapolis Club, 729 Second Ave. S., Minneapolis

Cost: $75 for WITL members, $100 for nonmembers

Description: Jan Lehman, executive coach and international speaker, will discuss the challenges of leading a busy professional life. Running a company while raising three children helped her understand the importance of work-life balance and the need to be productive. Her passion for productivity and drive to improve her teams led her to found CTC Productivity.

AUG. 3 TO AUG. 4

2026 Solo & Small Firm Conference

Host: Minnesota CLE

Time: 8:30 a.m. Monday to 4 p.m. Tuesday

Location: Duluth Entertainment Convention Center, 350 Harbor Drive, Duluth

Cost: $425 for members and paralegals, $495 standard rate

Description: This conference is designed to help you make your law practice easier, less stressful, and more financially rewarding. Choose from a number of practical sessions to create the conference that best meets your needs. It also offers networking time to talk with faculty and other colleagues, and a fun and relaxing environment. 12.25 CLE credits requested.

THURSDAY, AUG. 6

An Update from the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office

Host: Hennepin County Bar Association

Time: Noon to 1 p.m.

Location: Online via Zoom

Cost: Free for HCBA members, law students and new admittees, $25 for MSBA members, $50 for nonmembers

Description: Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty serves as the chief executive of Minnesota’s largest public law office. Moriarty will not run for re-election in 2026, choosing to focus on creating enduring change in the system over the final months of her administration. In this presentation, she will discuss these initiatives and accomplishments to date.