Times listed are Central Time.

Thursday, July 1, 2021
9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Civil Litigation A to Z: Getting Started – Minnesota State Court Practice Essentials
Proving or defending a Minnesota state court case has its own unique challenges, especially if you don’t do it every day. If you’re new to state court (or new to Minnesota) – or haven’t been there lately – this program provides critical information about what to expect and helps you avoid pitfalls. Join us for this two-hour presentation packed with strategies and tips for successfully navigating Minnesota state court practice. You’ll leave with practical insights on:

• How a typical case proceeds from start to finish 
• How to stay focused on the big picture throughout the case
• How to level the playing field
• Pleading standards 
• Tips and traps for discovery, motion practice, and settlement conferences
• Rules, rules, rules – which apply – and when 
• Navigating e-filing, courtroom technology, and handling evidence at trial
• Why, when, and how to communicate with the court
• PLUS – Sweating the “small” stuff (appearances, pro hac vice motions, courtroom etiquette)

– Katherine M. Swenson; Greene Espel PLLP
– Deborah A. Ellingboe; Faegre Baker Daniels LLP

Wednesday, July 7, 2021
9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Civil Litigation A to Z: Getting Started – Federal Court Practice Essentials
Proving or defending a federal case can be a challenge, especially if you don’t do it every day. If you’re new to federal court – or haven’t been there lately – this program provides critical information about what to expect and helps you avoid pitfalls. Join us for this two-hour presentation packed with strategies and tips for successfully navigating federal court practice. You’ll leave with practical insights on:

• The sequence of litigation from Rule 16 conference through post-trial motions
• Federal pleading standards under Twombly/Iqbal
• Tips and traps for discovery, motion practice, and settlement conferences
• When the Local Rules apply – and when they don’t
• Navigating ECF filing, courtroom technology, and handling evidence at trial
• Why, when, and how to communicate with the court
• PLUS – Sweating the “small” stuff (appearances, pro hac vice motions, courtroom etiquette)

– Sybil Dunlop; Greene Espel PLLP
– Jeya Paul; Greene Espel PLLP

Tuesday, July 13, 2021
9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
Civil Litigation A to Z: Getting Started – Matters Preliminary to Suit – What to Do Before You Sue
Before embarking on the path of litigation, there are many matters to consider and address. In this presentation, Anna Tobin will address both strategic and legal issues, including: pre-suit investigation, whether to sue, where to sue, choice of parties; demand letters, statutes of limitations, tolling agreements, subject matter and personal jurisdiction, what to serve with the suit, and much more!
– Anna M. Tobin; Greene Espel PLLP

Tuesday, July 13, 2021
12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Civil Litigation A to Z: Getting Started – How to Draft and Serve Initial Pleadings and Service of Process in Minnesota
Commencing suit is one of the most critical points in any piece of litigation and so getting it right is crucial. Learn what you need to know about service of process, drafting effective complaints and preparing equally effective responses in Minnesota state court civil actions. You’ll learn:

• How suit is commenced
• Means for effective service
• How to draft a complaint to avoid motions to dismiss
• Forms of pleadings
• How to analyze defense considerations
• How to timely respond to the complaint
• How to assert affirmative defenses and counterclaims
• Motions to dismiss and other motions
• Venue, removal and joinder
• And much more!

– Steven C. Kerbaugh; Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr LLP
– Archana Nath; Fox Rothschild LLP

Friday, July 16, 2021
12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Civil Litigation A to Z: Getting Started – How to Draft and Serve Initial Pleadings and Service of Process in Federal Court
Commencing suit is one of the most critical points in any piece of litigation and so getting it right is crucial. Learn what you need to know about service of process, drafting effective complaints and preparing equally effective answers in federal court civil actions. You’ll learn:

• How to commence an action
• Means for effective service
• How to draft a complaint to avoid motions to dismiss
• Forms of pleadings
• How to analyze defense considerations
• Venue considerations
• How to timely respond
• Motions to consider in response
• And much more!

– Steven Andrew Smith; Nichols Kaster, PLLP
– Patricia Y. Beety; League of Minnesota Cities

Wednesday, July 21, 2021
2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Civil Litigation A to Z: Getting Started – Best Practices for eFiling and eService in Minnesota
In this session, presenters will review the Minnesota Court Rules and requirements for eFiling and eService. The presenters will discuss best practices and tips for the most effective use of the eFile and eServe system (eFS). This session will also include: 

• eFS demonstration
• Links to the eFS training materials and other resources on the Minnesota Judicial Branch website
• Answers to common eFile and eServe issues and questions

– Patrick D. Busch; State Court Administrator’s Office
– Kimberly Black; State Court Administrator’s Office

Thursday, July 29, 2021
9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
Civil Litigation A to Z: Getting Started – eFiling in Federal Court – How to Do It Right
Learn what you need to know to get e-filing done right in federal court. Topics include:

• System and requirements
• E-Filing and service of documents 
• Ex parte submissions
• Viewing restricted filings
• Technical failures
• Hyperlinks in documents
• Filing sealed documents
• And much more!

– Katie Thompson; Senior Case Administrator, District of Minnesota, Court Clerk’s Office

$295

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.

This package provides 9.0 total CLE credits. Credits should be reported individually for each webcast attended, not the package as a whole.

Minnesota CLE has applied to the Minnesota State Board of CLE for the standard, ethics, and elimination of bias CLE credits as listed below. Application has been made to the Minnesota State Bar Association for any "specialist" credits and to the Supreme Court ADR Program for any continuing education in ADR credits.

Click titles for credit status and individual event codes.

Civil Litigation A to Z: Getting Started – Minnesota State Court Practice Essentials
2.0 standard CLE credits
2.0 civil trial specialist credits

Civil Litigation A to Z: Getting Started – Federal Court Practice Essentials
2.0 standard CLE credits
2.0 civil trial specialist credits

Civil Litigation A to Z: Getting Started – Matters Preliminary to Suit – What to Do Before You Sue
1.0 standard CLE credit
1.0 civil trial specialist credit

Civil Litigation A to Z: Getting Started – How to Draft and Serve Initial Pleadings and Service of Process in Minnesota
1.0 standard CLE credit
1.0 civil trial specialist credit

Civil Litigation A to Z: Getting Started – How to Draft and Serve Initial Pleadings and Service of Process in Federal Court
1.0 standard CLE credit
1.0 civil trial specialist credit

Civil Litigation A to Z: Getting Started – Best Practices for eFiling and eService in Minnesota
1.0 standard CLE credit
1.0 civil trial specialist credit

Civil Litigation A to Z: Getting Started – eFiling in Federal Court – How to Do It Right
1.0 standard CLE credit
1.0 civil trial specialist credit