Day 1 – Tuesday, June 23, 2026

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

8:30 – 9:00 a.m.
President’s Welcome & Presentation of Awards
– Thomas R. Pack 

9:00 – 9:45 a.m.
Guardians of the Promise – Why the Legal Profession Must Protect the Rule of Law
– Judge Jeremy D. Fogel & Judge Shira A. Scheindlin 

9:45 – 9:55 a.m.
BREAK

9:55 – 10:25 a.m.
ED TALKS

• Brainstorms and Brushstrokes – Translating Inspiration to Canvas
  – Kyle R. Kroll
• Making History as the Oldest Winter Olympic Competitor
  – Richard A. Ruohonen 

10:25 – 10:30 a.m.
BREAK

10:30 – 11:00 a.m.
2026 U.S. Supreme Court Update and Insights
– Aaron D. Van Oort

11:00 – 11:05 a.m.
BREAK

11:05 – 11:35 a.m.
The Relationship Between Disinformation and the Erosion of Trust in the Rule of Law
– Mark Albert

11:35 – 11:45 a.m.
BREAK

11:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
State of the Judiciary Address
– Chief Justice Natalie E. Hudson

12:15 – 1:00 p.m.
LUNCH (provided)
Enjoy delightful lunch selections, connect with colleagues, and visit with vendors in the comfort and convenience of the Minnesota CLE conference center, café, and atrium. 

1:00 – 1:45 p.m.
BREAKOUT SESSION A

101
Pro Bono Under Pressure – A Critical Conversation About Legal Demand and Access to Justice
– Muria Kruger, Milo Mumgaard & Micaela Schuneman
– Veronica S. Newcomer (moderator)

102
Criminal Law Section Open Forum – Your Criminal Law Questions Answered!
– Daniel S. Adkins, Anthony W. Bushnell & Max A. Keller

103
Practitioners Roundtable – Managing the Extraordinary Benefits of AI
– Annika C. Misurya & Todd C. Scott

1:45 – 1:55 p.m.
BREAK

1:55 – 2:40 p.m.
BREAKOUT SESSION B

201
Justice Under Attack – A Critical Conversation About Protecting Public Officials
– Marshall Eddie M. Frizelle, Chief Judge Patrick J. Schiltz, Judge Todd R. Schoffelman & Robin M. Wolpert

202
Probate, Trusts, and Estates Section Open Forum – Your Probate, Trusts, and Estates Questions Answered!
– Joel A. Sommers

203
Practitioners Roundtable – Innovating, Adapting, and Practicing Your Best
– Emily K. Cooper, Wesley J. Cornwell & Sarah Soucie Eyberg

2:40 – 3:00 p.m.
Chill, Chat, and Connect – The 2026 MSBA Ice Cream Social
Enjoy classic treats and new creations while catching up with colleagues.

3:00 – 3:30 p.m.
ED TALKS

• Trusting Your Entrepreneurial Spirit – Starting Our Own Firm
  – Harry M. Jacobs & Joseph H. Thompson
• Keeping Perspective as a New Lawyer
  – Allison E. Cole

3:30 – 3:35 p.m.
BREAK

3:35 – 4:05 p.m.
What Passed and What Didn’t Pass – The 2026 MSBA Legislative Update
– Bryan Lake 

4:05 – 4:35 p.m.
Lawyers Leading – How the Minnesota State Bar Association Became a National Model for Protecting the Rule of Law
– Thomas R. Pack & Norman Pentelovitch

4:35 – 5:05 p.m.
ED TALKS

• Banding Together for Resilience and Restoration – The Story of “Reasonable Doubts”
  – Justice Anne K. McKeig 
• Making History by Recording History – Writing The Black Lawyer in Minnesota (1973-2023)
  – Jeffrey A. Hassan

5:05 – 6:30 p.m.
President’s Reception and Passing of the Gavel Ceremony at The Oceanaire Reception
Melodies by Musica Ipsa Loquitur
– Thomas R. Pack, MSBA President 
– Kenya C. Bodden, Incoming MSBA President

Reception sponsored by Minnesota Lawyers Mutual Insurance Company

PRIZE DRAWING
Register for a chance to win a “Twin Cities Staycation” – A $650 gift certificate to The Shoreline Hotel on Lake Minnetonka
A prize drawing will take place at the reception on Tuesday, June 23. You must be present at the reception during the prize drawing to win. Any person may receive and submit an entry form on Tuesday, June 23 at the Convention registration desk until 5:00 p.m. Registration for the 2026 MSBA Convention is not required. The following individuals are not eligible to win: employees of Minnesota CLE and the Minnesota State Bar Association, as well as family members of those employees.

Day 2 – Wednesday, June 24, 2026

8:30 – 9:00 a.m.
CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST

9:00 – 9:05 a.m.
Announcements and Introductions
– Kenya C. Bodden

9:05 – 9:45 a.m.
2026 Minnesota Appellate Case Law Update
– Justice Theodora K. Gaitas, Justice Paul C. Thissen, Judge JaPaul J. Harris & Judge Elise L. Larson

9:45 – 10:00 a.m.
NETWORKING BREAK

10:00 – 10:40 a.m.
BREAKOUT SESSION C

301
ED TALKS

• Being a Lawyer Dad with 3 Million Followers – The Story of @Dadchats
  – Dillon M. White
• Aurora Rising – Writing the Playbook for Building a New Professional Sports Brand
  – Matthew W. Bergeron

302
Family Law Section Open Forum – Your Family Law Questions Answered!
– Shawn C. Reinke & Nicole J. Tabbut

303
Braver Angels – A 90-Minute Workshop for Lawyers Who Want to Bridge the Partisan Divide
– Bruce A. MacKenzie

10:40 – 10:50 a.m.
BREAK

10:50 – 11:30 a.m.
Preserving Public Trust in the Election Process
– Secretary of State Steve Simon

11:30 – 11:40 a.m.
BREAK

11:40 a.m. – 12:40 p.m.
Best Summer Ever! Harnessing Minnesota’s Great Outdoors to Prevent Burnout and Substance Misuse
1.0 mental health/substance use credit applied for
This session flips the script on traditional mental health CLEs by focusing on the biological benefits of nature-based recreation. We will identify the stressors lawyers face; discuss research on how outdoor immersion lowers cortisol levels and improves cognitive function; and explore how Minnesota’s unique geography – from the Boundary Waters to the Chain of Lakes – can complement other resources in preventing lawyer burnout and substance misuse and be the key to your “best summer ever”!
– Kathleen S. Bray, Phillip M. Brodeen, David M. Motzenbecker & Jon Tynjala 

PRIZE DRAWING
Register for a chance to win a “Best Summer Ever” Getaway – A $1,200 gift certificate to Bluefin Bay Family of Resorts in Tofte
The prize drawing will take place at the final session on Wednesday, June 24. You must be present at the final session during the prize drawing to win. Any person may receive and submit an entry form on Wednesday, June 24 at the Convention registration desk until the final session begins at 11:40 a.m. Registration for the 2026 MSBA Convention is not required. The following individuals are not eligible to win: employees of Minnesota CLE and the Minnesota State Bar Association, as well as family members of those employees.

LIVE IN-PERSON
Tuesday & Wednesday, June 23-24, 2026
Minnesota CLE Conference Center
600 Nicollet Mall, Suite 370
Seventh Street & Nicollet Mall, Third Floor City Center
Minneapolis, Minnesota

ONLINE REPLAY
Wednesday & Thursday, July 22-23, 2026
Attend online
Online replay includes all plenary and breakout sessions. A moderator will be available to answer questions by email.

• $295 standard rate
• $95 MSBA members
• $95 paralegals
• $45 judges / clerks / law students
  Be sure to check the "Judge / Clerk / Student – Convention" option during the checkout process.

• $45 members of sponsoring Sections
  Many MSBA Sections support this event through sponsorship, allowing their members to attend for only $45. Coupon codes are sent via email to members, but you can also inquire at info@mnbars.org to see if you qualify for the discounted rate!
• $45 employees of sponsoring Firms
  Employees of firms that support this event through sponsorship may attend for only $45.  Check with your firm to see if you qualify for the special discounted rate!



Other discounts that may apply:
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 9.25 CLE credits, including 1.0 mental health/substance use credit. The maximum number of total credits attendees may claim for this program is 9.25 credits.