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SECTION 1.2 MINNESOTA STATE DISTRICT COURT CIVIL PRACTICE DESKBOOK

E. Minnesota Rules of Professional Conduct and Professionalism Aspirations

The Minnesota Rules of Professional Conduct inject the Minnesota Rules of Civil Procedure, General Rules
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of Practice, and the Rules of Evidence with minimum standards for the lawyer’s professional skill and ethical con-
duct. The Minnesota Rules of Professional Conduct and comments alert lawyers to their specific responsibilities in
matters such as representations and arguments to the court and opposing counsel and communicating with clients,
witnesses, and adverse parties. Minn. R. PRoF’l ConDuCt Scope [15].

The Professionalism Aspirations, approved and endorsed by the Minnesota Supreme Court in 2001, further
remind lawyers to work towards the highest standards of professionalism, including the preservation of the integrity,
dignity, and independence of the court and the profession. Minn. SuPReMe CouRt, PRoFeSSionaliSM aSPiRationS (Jan.
11, 2001), available at <http://mncourts.gov/mncourtsgov/media/Appellate/Supreme%20Court/Professional%20
Regulation%20Rules/Professionalism-Aspirations.pdf>.

§ 1.3 THE STATUTES

Minnesota Statutes often supplement the Minnesota Rules of Civil Practice, particularly in matters such as arbi-
tration, mediation, court fees, trial procedure, and grounds for motions. The Minnesota Statutes are also a source of
separate “rules” for general procedures such as venue change and for special matters such as arbitration in no-fault
insurance cases, punitive damages claims, dram shop claims, and guardian ad litem or trustee appointments.

§ 1.4 CIVIL PRACTICE, PROCEDURE, AND CLIENTS

Lawyers are called to serve clients in many different ways. Many civil issues center around problem-solving,
looking at issues from a different perspective, clarifying what clients are really after, and advocating for a just result.
Along the way, process and procedure can either destroy client trust and confidence, or be used effectively to manage
client expectations through education. Taking the time to share professional knowledge with an individual who may
not know anything about the civil justice system builds trust and confidence in the attorney-client relationship. Using
the appropriate educational tools will also help to communicate accurate information, and information the client can
understand.

§ 1.5 SUMMARY

The rules, case law, and statutes governing civil actions can be confusing and it would be difficult, if not impos-
sible, to memorize every rule or statute applicable to a particular part of a civil action. The appendices to this chapter
provide helpful quick references and summaries:

Appendix A organizes the rules and statutes in a way that illustrates their interplay.

Appendix B summarizes the extensive changes to the Minnesota Rules of Civil Procedure and the Minnesota
General Rules of Practice regarding timing that went into effect on January 1, 2020. (Chapter 18, Orders and
Judgments, section 18.3.K, provides a similar chart for the timing changes specific to the Minnesota Rules of
Appellate Procedure.)

Appendix C provides a list of lesser-known but very useful websites to use for legal research and forms, business
searches, defendant searches, asset searches, property record searches, etc. Perhaps the most significant resource is
the Minnesota Trial Court Public Access (MPA) website, which provides searchable civil and criminal case records
for all 87 counties in Minnesota, as well as judgment searches and court calendars.

Updated 2020 1-4