DAY 1 – Thursday, January 19

8:30 – 9:00 a.m.
CHECK-IN
If you are attending in person, enjoy coffee and croissants with colleagues!

9:00 – 9:05 a.m.
WELCOME & INTRODUCTION

9:05 – 9:35 a.m.
How to Succeed as a New Attorney – What to Do When You Don’t Know What to Do Next
– Karin K. Ciano

9:35 – 9:40 a.m.
BREAK

9:40 – 10:25 a.m.
Quick Answers to Legal Questions People Ask Anytime, Anywhere
A team of experts answer the questions you, as a lawyer, will inevitably be asked when you are least expecting it.
– Nicole A. Kettwick, Bridget Landry & Christopher J. Wilcox
– Antone Melton-Meaux (moderator)

10:25 – 10:40 a.m.
BREAK
If you are attending in person, enjoy networking and take time to visit the exhibitors!

10:40 – 11:40 a.m.
MORNING CONCURRENT SESSIONS (choose one)

Avoiding Common Real-World Ethics Problems
1.0 ethics credit applied for
This session will explore fact patterns that commonly present ethics problems for lawyers, such as failing to communicate with clients, improperly contacting the opposing party or the court, and mishandling client trust accounts. Learn how to work through the situations and avoid conduct that would violate the Rules of Professional Responsibility.
– Eric T. Cooperstein

OR

15 Writing Mistakes that Undermine Your Credibility...and How to Eliminate Them
Legal writing guru Karin Ciano identifies 15 common mistakes in legal writing and advises how to avoid them and improve your writing style.
– Karin K. Ciano

11:40 – 11:55 a.m.
BREAK
Distribution of boxed lunches to in-person attendees (provided by Minnesota CLE)

11:55 a.m. – 12:20 p.m.
LUNCH PRESENTATION
Prize drawing will take place at the in-person seminar during the lunch session.

Minnesota CLE Resources for New Lawyers
Learn about the most useful books, guides, and annotated documents for new attorneys. Discover why Season Passes are the best deal in CLE and how our web-based seminars help you meet your needs from wherever you are.
– Holly Garland & Luke E. Olson

12:20 – 12:30 p.m.
BREAK

12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
BREAKOUT SESSION A (choose one)

101
What Every Lawyer Needs to Know About Residential Real Estate
Get expert advice on handling residential real estate transactions and a refresher on the fundamentals of real property law.
– Racheal M. Holland

102
What Every Lawyer Needs to Know About Divorce
From child support and spousal maintenance to advice for your first family law trial, learn the basics of divorce practice from an experienced family lawyer.
– Scott M. Rodman

103
Everything But the Kitchen Sink? Conducting Effective and Efficient Written Discovery
Written discovery often constitutes the most time-consuming and resource-draining part of litigation. Discover how to draft effective requests that are targeted to your litigation strategy. Learn how to prepare requests that are reasonably limited in scope, yet sufficiently broad to obtain what you need. You will also receive sample requests.
– Rebekah L. Bailey

1:30 – 1:45 p.m.
BREAK
If you are attending in person, enjoy networking and take time to visit the exhibitors!

1:45 – 2:45 p.m.
BREAKOUT SESSION B (choose one)

201
What Every Lawyer Needs to Know About Business Contracts
A fast-paced refresher on fundamental concepts in drafting and reviewing contracts, including the basic elements almost every business contract should include.
– Heather L. Marx & Kristi Adair Zentner

202
What Every Lawyer Needs to Know About Employment Law
Learn the basics of hiring, testing, reasonable accommodation, leaves of absence, wage and hour matters, employment handbooks, discipline and termination.
– Grant T. Collins

203
Your First Trial: What You Need to Know to Survive (And Give Yourself a Better Chance to Win)
An experienced trial attorney provides practical tips and strategies on conducting your first trial; including pretrial preparation, opening and closing arguments, direct and cross examinations, and other considerations.
– John W. Ursu

2:45 – 3:00 p.m.
BREAK
If you are attending in person, enjoy networking and take time to visit the exhibitors!

3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
BREAKOUT SESSION C (choose one)

301
Strategies for Success – Using Technology to Be More Effective
Get tech solutions that will help you create opportunities and better serve your clients. Learn about mobile tech tools, case management platforms, convenient invoicing and accounting, secure document storage, system vulnerabilities that leave data exposed, and ways to automate some tasks.
– Todd C. Scott

302
Selecting and Forming Corporate Entities
Learn the basics of business entity selection, including the advantages and disadvantages of the various entities. Get advice on drafting articles of incorporation, bylaws, resolutions, and other organizational documents.
– Kimberly A. Lowe

303
Strategies For Success – Finding Your Fit in the Firm
Understanding the firm’s culture, clients, and what is expected of you are essential to finding your fit within a firm. Join this discussion and hear ideas on how to develop relationships, make an impact, and connect to resources as a new lawyer within a firm.
– Emily A. Ambrose, Felicia J. Boyd & Jaime Wing

4:00 – 4:45 p.m.
The Minnesota “CLE” New Lawyer Social – How to Hang Out and Connect with Colleagues in Real Life
At the end of the day, CLE stands for “Come Let’s Engage”.
Attending in-person? Join friends and colleagues for food, fun, games, prizes, and drinks!

Day 2 – Friday, January 20

8:30 – 9:00 a.m.
CHECK-IN
If you are attending in person, enjoy biscuits and bagels!

9:00 – 9:05 a.m.
WELCOME & INTRODUCTION

9:05 – 10:20 a.m.
Your Day in Court: What to Expect and What Judges Expect of You
This session provides a unique opportunity to hear directly from four judges. Learn the rules of their courts and receive their advice on scheduling matters, working with clerks, proper communication with the courts, and etiquette in the courtroom and chambers.
– Judge Rachel C. Hughey, Judge Colette Routel, Judge David T. Schultz & Judge Charles F. Webber
– Kevin D. Hofman (moderator) 

10:20 – 10:30 a.m.
BREAK

10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
What I Know Now I Wish I Knew Then – Candid Advice for New Lawyers
A panel of attorneys from a variety of practice areas discuss their career paths and share advice for new lawyers. Hear what they like about their work, what they find challenging, and what it takes to succeed.
– Justin R. Erickson, Hao Q. Nguyen & Nicholas M. Ryan
– Stephanie A. Chen (moderator)

11:30 – 11:35 a.m.
YOGA BREAK
– Elissa R. Meyer

11:35 a.m. – 12:05 p.m.
Staying Healthy, Wealthy, and Wise – Tips for Living Your Best Life as a New Lawyer
Physical, mental, and professional health are key ingredients to thriving as a new lawyer. Learn ways to stay healthy, find support, and be involved in the bar and the community.
– Joan M. Bibelhausen, Elissa R. Meyer & Paul D. Peterson

12:05 – 12:50 p.m.
LUNCH BREAK (on your own or with a friend)
Prize drawing will take place before the lunch break at the in-person course.

12:50 – 2:20 p.m.
AFTERNOON CONCURRENT SESSIONS (choose one)

How to Make Presentations to Clients, the Court or Any Audience
Judge Wahl shares practical tips for making powerful and persuasive presentations.
– Judge Edward T. Wahl

OR

Important First Steps for Starting a Solo or Small Law Practice
Get tools and advice for planning, organizing, financing, launching, and running a practice.
– Jess L. Birken

2:20 – 2:30 p.m.
BREAK

2:30 – 4:00 p.m.
BREAKOUT SESSION D (choose one)

401
Estate Planning for New Lawyers
Get tips on designing and drafting an estate plan for individuals with non-taxable estates. Plus, advice on the use of health care directives, statutory short form powers of attorney, trusts, and coordinating beneficiary designations with a client’s estate plan.
– Paul D. Funke & Melissa Hagstrum Bayne

402
How to Handle Your First Criminal Case: 10 Things You Must Know
From the rights of the defendant to conducting plea negotiations, learn the basics of criminal law defense from an experienced criminal law attorney.
– Christopher Keyser 

403
How to Effectively Handle a Personal Injury Case
You can effectively handle a personal injury case, even with limited personal injury experience. Get information and advice on what to do and how to do it, from intake through resolution.
– Racey J. Rodne

LIVE IN-PERSON
Thursday & Friday, January 19-20, 2023
Minnesota CLE Conference Center
600 Nicollet Mall, Suite 370
Seventh Street & Nicollet Mall, Third Floor City Center
Minneapolis, Minnesota

ONLINE REPLAY
Tuesday & Wednesday, February 7-8, 2023
Attend online
Online replay includes all plenary and breakout sessions. A moderator will be available to answer questions by email.

$315 MSBA members / $315 paralegals / $365 standard rate

Other discounts that may apply:

• FREE for attorneys first licensed in 2020, 2021 or 2022
  Use coupon code 2023NLE-FREE during checkout. Admittance date will be verified.
• Season Pass Discount

Scholarships available!
Need-based scholarships are available for in-person and online seminars. For further information or to obtain a scholarship application, contact us at 800-759-8840 or customerservice@minncle.org.

Minnesota CLE is applying to the Minnesota State Board of CLE for 11.0 CLE credits, including 1.0 ethics credit for the first concurrent session on Day 1. The maximum number of total credits attendees may claim for this program is 11.0 credits.