Register by April 1, 2026, and save $50 on the 2026 Government Law Institute.
MINNEAPOLIS
Thursday, September 25, 2025 - Friday, September 26, 2025
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM | Check-In: 1:30 PM
Minnesota CLE Conference Center
600 Nicollet Mall # 370
3rd Floor, City Center
Minneapolis, MN 55402
The All-New Government Law Institute – Focused on Counties, Cities and Townships
Minnesota CLE is excited to offer a brand-new conference – The Government Law Institute. We have designed an event with 25+ sessions, covering the waterfront of legal issues important to attorneys representing or dealing with local governments. The Institute will provide up-to-the-minute information on everything new – cases, legislation, federal funding, land use developments, and much more.
Designed for Government Attorneys and for Those Who Deal with Local Governments
Our faculty consists of those who regularly represent local governments and those who represent private parties. We believe the mix of faculty will make for an exciting, fun, and extraordinary educational experience. Choose the topics that matter most to you, ask all your questions, and visit with the faculty between sessions. Ample break time, lunch time and reception time will allow for great interaction with faculty, friends, and colleagues. Don’t miss the excitement.
And Take a Look at These Extra Benefits
Not only will you learn while at the conference, but every session will be recorded and available to view for one year through your account on the Minnesota CLE website. You can re-watch any session you choose, and watch those sessions that you missed at the conference. And you will have access to all the materials and PowerPoints as well!
We’ve Priced This Institute Lower Than Most
We want everyone to experience this great new event, so we’ve priced the Institute lower than usual. In addition, every attorney in their first 5 years of practice can attend for half price. And, if needed, Minnesota CLE has a generous scholarship program to help reduce the cost when necessary.
You’ll Leave the Conference Smarter, Refreshed and Re-Energized!
We believe learning should be fun – so we’ve designed 2 days of fun and great education for you. You’ll leave completely up to date on all new developments, and with a renewed energy to bring back to the office – not to mention new friends and helpful contacts.
8:30 – 9:00 a.m.
CHECK-IN & CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST
9:00 – 9:15 a.m.
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
9:15 – 10:00 a.m.
The 2025 Minnesota Legislative Update
– Anne Finn & Tori Kee
10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
The 2025 Government Law Case Law Update
– Andrew A. Wolf
11:00 – 11:15 a.m.
BREAK
11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
BREAKOUT SESSION A
001
2025 Update on Data Practices and a Deep Dive into Unclear Data Provisions
Repeated at #201
– Pamela F. Whitmore
002
Understanding Minnesota Land Use Law – 5 Cases and 3 Statutes You Need to Know Cold
– Jacob W. Steen
003
The Difficult Task – Code Enforcement of Nuisance Properties
– Korine L. Land
12:15 – 1:00 p.m.
LUNCH (provided by Minnesota CLE)
1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
BREAKOUT SESSION B
101
Open Meeting Law: Nitpicks and Nuances
– Corrine A. Heine & Jennifer K. Tichey
102
The Key Provisions in a Development Agreement – Developer Attorney v. City Attorney
– Soren M. Mattick & Megan C. Rogers
103
Cannabis Update for Local Governments
Repeated at #502
– Carol R.M. Moss & Eric S. Taubel
2:00 – 2:15 p.m.
BREAK
2:15 – 3:15 p.m.
BREAKOUT SESSION C
201
2025 Update on Data Practices and a Deep Dive into Unclear Data Provisions
Repeat of #001
– Corrine A. Heine
202
Condemnation Practice – Lessons Learned from the Field – Commissioners, Experts, Judges, Jurors and More!
– Thomas J. Radio
203
Managing Government Meetings – Giving Advice and Controlling the Room
– Greta L. Bjerkness, Amanda J. Johnson & Korine L. Land
3:15 – 3:30 p.m.
BREAK
3:30 – 4:15 p.m.
BREAKOUT SESSION D
301
Winning with Immunities: A Primer on Governmental Immunity and Recent Developments
– Kenneth H. Bayliss
302
Variances, Use Permits and Other Land Use Approvals – How to Build a Strong Record for Approval or Denial
– Amanda J. Johnson
303
Understanding and Complying with the New Minnesota Paid Leave Law – and It Applies to Everyone!
– Leonard B. Segal
4:15 – 5:00 p.m.
THE INAUGURAL GOVERNMENT LAW INSTITUTE RECEPTION
Food, Fun, and a Chance to Win Prizes!
Join us for a time to visit with colleagues and friends – while enjoying good food and beverages. And be sure to stay for the prize drawings – you must be present to win! All in all, it will be a fun wrap-up to an enjoyable conference day.
8:30 – 9:00 a.m.
CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST
9:00 – 9:05 a.m.
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
9:05 – 10:00 a.m.
The 10 Most Important Court Decisions in Minnesota in Local Government Law
– John M. Baker & Katherine M. Swenson
10:00 – 10:45 a.m.
7 Mistakes That Lead Local Governments into Litigation
– Jared D. Shepherd
10:45 – 11:00 a.m.
BREAK
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
BREAKOUT SESSION E
401
Property Tax Forfeiture After Tyler – Key Considerations for Taxing Jurisdictions in the Wake of the New Minnesota Law
– Rebecca L. Holschuh & Nathan N. LaCoursiere
402
The AIA Construction Documents on Government Projects – What Really Matters!
– B.J. Nodzon
403
Government Employee Posts on Social Media – Are There Limits? What Actions to Take?
– Jana O’Leary Sullivan
12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
LUNCH (on your own)
1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
BREAKOUT SESSION F
501
A Primer on Affordable Housing for Local Governments
– Angela M. Christy
502
Cannabis Update for Local Governments
Repeat of #103
– Carol R.M. Moss & Eric S. Taubel
503
Disciplining and Discharging in the Public Sector
– Margaret L. Penland & Jana O’Leary Sullivan
2:00 – 2:15 p.m.
BREAK
2:15 – 3:15 p.m.
BREAKOUT SESSION G
601
Federal Funding for Local Governments: Changes and Challenges
– Nena M. Lenz
602
5 Difficult First Amendment Issues – and Solutions
– John M. Baker & Katherine M. Swenson
603
Elimination of Bias: Cultural Humility
1.0 elimination of bias credit applied for
– Hannah Dufek
3:15 – 3:30 p.m.
BREAK
3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Mental Health and Substance Use in the Legal Profession and in the Practice of Law
1.0 mental health/substance use credit applied for
– Jon M. Tynjala
LIVE IN-PERSON
Thursday & Friday, September 25-26, 2025
Minnesota CLE Conference Center
600 Nicollet Mall, Suite 370
Seventh Street & Nicollet Mall, Third Floor City Center
Minneapolis, Minnesota
ONLINE REPLAY
Monday & Tuesday, October 27-28, 2025
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:
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 standard CLE credits, including 1.0 mental health/substance use credit for the Day 2 closing plenary and 1.0 elimination of bias credit for session #603. The maximum number of total credits attendees may claim for this program is 11.0 credits.
