ONLINE
Friday, March 21, 2025
9:00 AM - 5:05 PM
Enhance Your Appellate Skills.
The 2025 Appellate Practice Institute features Minnesota’s appellate judiciary and expert practitioners who will share their thoughts and experiences to help attendees further their practical appellate skills. Join us for a day full of key updates, review of necessary appellate advocacy skills and strategies, and 6 breakouts topics to keep you apprised of all things appellate!
Special Judicial Appearances:
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
Minnesota Supreme Court
Minnesota Court of Appeals
Keynote Presentation
Elegant Legal Writing – How to Craft Clear and Compelling Legal Briefs
Featuring legal writing expert Ryan McCarl
FREE for All Attendees
All attendees will receive a complimentary electronic copy of the updated Summary GuideTM to Minnesota Appellate Procedure, a terrific resource prepared by Erica A. Holzer & Katie Barrett Wiik.
Discounts and Scholarships Available!
See “Tuition & Discounts” for more information.
Co-sponsored by Minnesota CLE and the MSBA Appellate Practice Section.
8:30 – 9:00 a.m.
CHECK-IN & CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST
9:00 – 9:15 a.m.
Welcome and Introduction
– Kyle R. Kroll & Travis J. Smith, Section Chairs
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 Justice Natalie E. Hudson, Chief Judge Jennifer L. Frisch & Chief Judge Steven M. Colloton
9:45 – 9:50 a.m.
BREAK
9:50 – 10:50 a.m.
KEYNOTE PRESENTATION
Elegant Legal Writing – How to Craft Clear and Compelling Legal Briefs
– Ryan McCarl
10:50 – 11:00 a.m.
BREAK
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
MORNING BREAKOUT SESSIONS
101
The Nuts and Bolts of an Appeal – A Comprehensive Overview of How to Do an Appeal from Important Dates and Deadlines, to Technical Rules, to Presenting and Crafting Effective Appellate Arguments and So Much More!
– Brandon L. Boese & Eder B. Castillo
102
The Odds and Ends for Experienced Practitioners – Motion Practice, Special Requests, PFRs, Stays, Discretionary Review and More!
– Angela Behrens, Jevon C. Bindman & Michelle K. Kuhl
103
Perfecting Without Perfectionism: How to Strive for Excellence Without Stressing Out Over Unattainable Ideals
1.0 mental health/substance use credit applied for
– Sarah M. MacGillis
12:00 – 12:40 p.m.
LUNCH BREAK (provided by Minnesota CLE)
Join Us for a Fun Activity!
12:40 – 1:40 p.m.
2025 Appellate Case Law Update
– Judge Lucinda E. Jesson (ret.) & Peter B. Knapp
1:40 – 1:50 p.m.
BREAK
1:50 – 2:20 p.m.
When Life Happens During an Appeal – How Appellate Attorneys Can Take Care of Themselves and Their Mental Health
0.5 mental health/substance use credit applied for
– Katie Barrett Wiik, Joan M. Bibelhausen & Erica A. Holzer
2:20 – 3:20 p.m.
The State of Diversity in the Appellate Practice – A Conversation About the Statistics, Trends, Barriers, and More!
1.0 elimination of bias credit applied for
– Chief Judge Susan Segal (ret.), Amran A. Farah & Lola Velazquez-Aguilu
3:20 – 3:30 p.m.
BREAK
3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
AFTERNOON BREAKOUT SESSIONS
201
The How, Why, and When of En Banc Arguments
– Stephanie A. Angolkar, Nadia Anguiano & Liz Kramer
– Matt Rubenstein (moderator)
202
What to Know About Criminal Appeals – Helpful Tips and Current Trends
– Justice Theodora Karin Gaïtas, Thomas R. Ragatz & Jenna Yauch-Erickson
– Travis J. Smith (moderator)
203
What Appellate Attorneys Need to Know About Family Law – New Case Law, New Rules and Practice Pointers
– Elizabeth M. Cadem, Michael D. Dittberner & Timothy D. Lees
– M Boulette (moderator)
4:30 – 4:35 p.m.
BREAK
4:35 – 5:05 p.m.
Fireside Chat with Justice Sarah E. Hennesy
– Justice Sarah E. Hennesy
– Kyle R. Kroll (moderator)
5:05 – 5:45 p.m.
ANNUAL INSTITUTE RECEPTION
Join your friends and colleagues for tasty refreshments, plus in-person conversation and networking!
LIVE IN-PERSON
Friday, February 28, 2025
Minnesota CLE Conference Center
600 Nicollet Mall, Suite 370
Seventh Street & Nicollet Mall, Third Floor City Center
Minneapolis, Minnesota
ONLINE REPLAY
Friday, March 21, 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 6.5 CLE credits, including:
The maximum number of total credits attendees may claim for this program is 6.5 credits.
Minnesota CLE also has applied to the Minnesota State Bar Association for 6.5 civil trial specialist credits.
