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

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

9:05 – 9:35 a.m.
Entity Selection and Initial Formation
LLCs are popular, but are they always the right choice? Learn the essentials of forming a business in Minnesota including how to weigh the key business, tax, and liability considerations when selecting an entity. Session includes the newly updated Business Entities Summary Guide as a free companion guide.
– Frederick A. Yates

9:35 – 10:20 a.m.
Fiduciary Duties in Closely Held Minnesota Companies
Fiduciary duties are at the center of all closely held companies. Fiduciary duty disputes can be financially and emotionally exhausting. And unfortunately, they are all too common. Hear from experienced litigators about fiduciary duties, how these disputes arise, and what can be done to prevent them.
– Peter J. McElligott & William R. Paterson

10:20 – 10:30 a.m.
BREAK

10:30 – 11:00 a.m.
Governance in the Family Business
A family-owned company is governed by its entity type, governing documents, ownership structure, and applicable Minnesota law. However, family relationships can create governance challenges that don’t arise, or don’t arise in the same way, in a business owned by unrelated individuals. Learn how available principles and tools of governance can help keep the family and the business in harmony.
– Wade R. Wacholz

11:00 – 11:45 a.m.
Top 5 Issues in Advising the Ongoing Private Business
Getting a company formed, of course, is just the beginning and a host of issues inevitably follow. Hear from our experts about some of the current top issues affecting the ongoing private business.
– Jennie A. Clarke, Bradley J. Schmidt & Nathan R. Snyder

11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
LUNCH (on your own)

12:45 – 1:30 p.m.
Advising Closely Held Clients Across the Technology Spectrum
Artificial intelligence is already present in your clients’ lives and business operations whether they know it or not — and whether you know it or not. Understanding the landscape is the threshold requirement for advising clients responsibly.
– Paul M. Floyd

1:30 – 1:35 p.m.
BREAK

1:35 – 2:35 p.m.
Minnesota’s New Paid Leave Law – Impact on Closely Held Businesses
Minnesota’s Paid Leave law can have a disproportionately significant impact on closely held and family-owned businesses. The premium cost aside, the challenge of having a key employee or highly specialized worker out for an extended period of time hits a small business much harder than a large one. Learn how best to advise and guide your closely held business clients on the ins and outs of paid leave.
– Katherine C. Bischoff

2:35 – 2:40 p.m.
BREAK

2:40 – 3:25 p.m.
Planning the Exit: Selling to a Third Party
The founder is ready to retire and there is no heir apparent. What do you need to do to get the company ready for sale? Hear from our experts on how to prepare for due diligence, how to structure the deal in different situations and other key considerations.
– Rochelle L. Hauser & Allison M. Plunkett

3:25 – 3:30 p.m.
BREAK

3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Planning the Exit: Succession and Related Tax Planning
The senior generation wants to “keep it in the family.” Now what? Understand the key business, tax and financial dynamics that go into the succession planning process. Explore the tools available to make the transition successful.
– Wade R. Wacholz

LIVE IN-PERSON
Thursday, October 29, 2026
Minnesota CLE Conference Center
600 Nicollet Mall, Suite 370
Seventh Street & Nicollet Mall, Third Floor City Center
Minneapolis, Minnesota

ONLINE REPLAYS
Friday, November 13, 2026
Tuesday, November 24, 2026
Attend online
A moderator will be available to answer questions by email.

$295 MSBA members / $295 paralegals / $345 standard rate

Other discounts that may 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 6.0 standard CLE credits. The maximum number of total credits attendees may claim for this program is 6.0 credits.