MINNEAPOLIS
Wednesday, April 26, 2023
2:00 PM - 9:25 PM | Check-In: 1:30 PM
Minnesota CLE Conference Center
600 Nicollet Mall # 370
3rd Floor, City Center
Minneapolis, MN 55402
This "how to" drafting program is relevant to lawyers entering any area of transactional practice, including corporate, mergers and acquisitions, business law, and intellectual property, to name just a few. The program begins with a discussion of the legal context of drafting, revealing outside forces that may dictate the way specific terms of the agreement are drafted or interpreted. The program examines the meaning and implications of common performance and boilerplate provisions and includes specific drafting techniques and strategies that lawyers can implement immediately to draft legal documents with confidence.
Learn how to:
THE SPEAKER
Lenné Eidson Espenschied has earned her status as one of the Top 2 contract drafting speakers in the country by continually striving for excellence and providing innovative, practical skills-based training for transactional lawyers. She practiced law in Atlanta, Georgia for 25 years, focusing on corporate and transactional representation of technology-based businesses. She is the author of two books published by the American Bar Association: Contract Drafting: Powerful Prose in Transactional Practice (ABA Fundamentals, 3rd Ed. 2019) and The Grammar and Writing Handbook for Lawyers (ABA Fundamentals, 2011). After graduating from the University of Georgia School of Law magna cum laude, Ms. Espenschied began her legal practice at the firm now known as Eversheds Sutherland; she also served as Senior Counsel in the legal department of Bank of America before eventually opening her own law office. As a law professor, Ms. Espenschied taught commercial law, contracts, and contract drafting. Her passion is helping lawyers acquire the skills they need to be successful in transactional practice.
THE SCHEDULE
8:30 – 9:00 a.m.
CHECK-IN & CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST
9:00 – 9:05 a.m.
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
9:05 – 10:35 a.m.
The Characteristics of Excellent Contract Drafting
What makes for excellent drafting? This session will examine that question and:
10:35 – 10:50 a.m.
BREAK
10:50 a.m. – 12:20 p.m.
Negotiating and Drafting Key Provisions
The most important provisions in your clients’ contracts also present the most opportunity for conflict – in negotiating and in performing the agreement. This session will provide practical tips for negotiating and drafting these key provisions:
12:20 – 1:10 p.m.
LUNCH BREAK (on your own)
1:10 – 2:40 p.m.
Drafting Techniques and Strategies
Don’t start drafting (or editing) without some forethought and strategic planning. This session will take you through:
2:40 – 2:55 p.m.
BREAK
2:55 – 4:25 p.m.
Handling ADR, Gender, Numbers and Amendments
Signatures on the page are never the “end” of the deal. This closing component of the day will tackle important contract elements that may require ongoing maintenance and consideration:
LIVE IN-PERSON
Wednesday, April 26, 2023
Minnesota CLE Conference Center
600 Nicollet Mall, Suite 370
Seventh Street & Nicollet Mall, Third Floor City Center
Minneapolis, Minnesota
ONLINE REPLAY
Wednesday, May 17, 2023
Attend online
A moderator will be available to answer questions by email.
$275 MSBA members / $275 paralegals / $325 standard rate
Other discounts that may apply:
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 6.0 standard CLE credits. The maximum number of total credits attendees may claim for this program is 6.0 credits.
