8:30 – 9:00 a.m.
CHECK-IN & CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST

9:00 – 9:15 a.m.
Welcome and Introduction
– Travis J. Smith, Institute Chair
– Alethea M. Huyser, Section Chair

9:15 – 9:45 a.m.
A Message from the Chiefs of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, the Minnesota Supreme Court, and the Minnesota Court of Appeals
– Chief Judge Lavenski R. Smith, Chief Justice Natalie E. Hudson & Chief Judge Susan Segal

9:45 – 9:50 a.m.
BREAK

9:50 – 10:50 a.m.
KEYNOTE PRESENTATION
AI-Powered Brief-Writing: Finding Your Peace
Author of Point Made and Point Taken, legal writing expert Ross Guberman will explore how artificial intelligence is transforming the legal writing process. Ross will offer advice to writers for constructing their appellate briefs, sample the tools and ways you can use AI to enhance your writing skills, and provide time-tested writing advice regardless of your technological preferences.
– Ross Guberman

10:50 – 11:00 a.m.
BREAK

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
No Wisconsin: A Fresh Look at Minnesota Judicial Elections and Retention
Many Minnesota lawyers have watched recent elections for the Wisconsin Supreme Court unfold and wondered, can that happen here? Former Justice Lillehaug will try to answer that question. He will then review his own encounters with judicial campaigns and discuss some new ideas (including his own) for Minnesota’s system of judicial selection and retention.
– Justice David L. Lillehaug (ret.)

12:00 – 12:40 p.m.
LUNCH (provided by Minnesota CLE)
Join us for Appellate Trivia!

12:40 – 1:40 p.m.
Doing Your Level Best: Effective Oral Advocacy at Both the Minnesota Court of Appeals and Supreme Court
This engaging panel of jurists will provide strategic insights on how to best present your case at oral argument, whether you are before the Court of Appeals or Supreme Court. In addition to discussing best practices for each respective forum, the panel will comment on real-world examples in an engaging multi-media format. Practitioners will benefit from this skills-oriented panel about effective oral advocacy at both levels of Minnesota’s appellate courts.
– Justice G. Barry Anderson, Justice Margaret H. Chutich & Judge Jon Schmidt
– Kyle R. Kroll (moderator)

1:40 – 1:50 p.m.
BREAK

1:50 – 2:50 p.m.
BREAKOUT SESSIONS

101
The Nuts and Bolts of an Appeal
This session will provide an overview of how to do an appeal, and will cover everything from important dates and deadlines, to the technical rules, to how to present and craft effective appellate arguments. Learn tips and strategies on best practices for drafting your appellate briefs and what common pitfalls to avoid.
– Christopher W. Bowman & Nicole A. Kettwick

102
Tribal Courts and Appeals – Structure, Process, and Procedures
This session will provide an overview of Tribal Courts from how they are organized to the appeals process. Learn about the appellate process in Tribal Courts and how they interplay with other State and Federal Court systems. This session will include information about appeals from both criminal and civil perspectives.
– Judge Colette Routel

103
What Appellate Attorneys Need to Know About Cannabis – Regulatory Framework, Issues on Appeals, Impact on Criminal Law and Expungements
With Minnesota legalizing cannabis in 2023, this sets up several key issues for attorneys who work in the appellate space. This panel of experts will discuss first the overall cannabis legalization framework, address the key areas and issues ripe for appeal, and the implications of legalization on criminal law.
– Jason C. Tarasek & Cathryn Y. Middlebrook
– Matt DeLong (moderator)

2:50 – 2:55 p.m.
BREAK

2:55 – 3:55 p.m.
2024 Appellate Case Law Update
This session will review recent cases from the Minnesota Supreme Court and the Minnesota Court of Appeals. Learn about key cases and the impact of these cases for Minnesota jurisprudence moving forward.
– Peter B. Knapp & Judge Lucinda E. Jesson (ret.)

3:55 – 4:00 p.m.
BREAK

4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Observations from the Middle Chair from Former Chief Justice Lorie S. Gildea
Chief Justice Gildea will share tips for appellate practitioners and lessons learned from her time serving on the Minnesota Supreme Court.
– Chief Justice Lorie Skjerven Gildea (ret.)

5:00 – 5:30 p.m.
Fireside Chat with Justice Karl C. Procaccini
– Justice Karl C. Procaccini
– Travis J. Smith (moderator)

5:30 – 6:00 p.m.
ANNUAL INSTITUTE RECEPTION
Join your friends and colleagues for tasty refreshments, plus in-person conversation and networking!

LIVE IN-PERSON
Friday, February 23, 2024
Minnesota CLE Conference Center
600 Nicollet Mall, Suite 370
Seventh Street & Nicollet Mall, Third Floor City Center
Minneapolis, Minnesota

ONLINE REPLAY
Friday, March 15, 2024
Attend online
Online replay includes all plenary and breakout sessions. A moderator will be available to answer questions by email.

$345 MSBA members / $345 paralegals / $395 standard rate

Other discounts that may apply:

• Discounted Rate for Public Interest Attorneys:
  Persons who work for the government, public institutions or nonprofit organizations are eligible for a discounted tuition rate of $125. This special tuition rate is co-sponsored by the MSBA Appellate Practice Section and is limited to the first 20 qualifying applicants. Please email customerservice@minncle.org or call 800-759-8840 to apply. 
  
• Season Pass Discount
• New Lawyer 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 7.0 standard CLE credits. The maximum number of total credits attendees may claim for this program is 7.0 credits.

Minnesota CLE also has applied to the Minnesota State Bar Association for 7.0 civil trial specialist credits.