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

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

9:05 – 9:35 a.m.
Commencing an Action

• What should I consider if I want to initiate a lawsuit?
• What must my complaint include to survive a motion to dismiss?
• When is an amendment to a complaint allowed?
• And more!

– Michael P. McBride & Bibeane Metsch-Garcia

9:35 – 10:05 a.m.
Responding to a Complaint

• What is required for pleading affirmative defenses to a complaint?
• When should I consider bringing a motion to dismiss a complaint?
• When are jurisdictional motions appropriate in response to a complaint?
• And more!

– Thomas J. Radio & Brandon J. Wheeler

10:05 – 10:40 a.m.
Class Actions and Multi-District Litigations (MDLs)

• What is the difference between a class action and an MDL?
• What role does early motion practice play in class actions and MDLs?
• How do discovery and settlement strategy vary between them?
• And more!

– Shawn M. Raiter & Genevieve M. Zimmerman

10:40 – 10:55 a.m.
BREAK

10:55 – 11:30 a.m.
Fact Discovery

• When suit is commenced, what is my client required to do to preserve electronic and other evidence?
• What should my objectives be for written discovery?
• How do I most effectively prepare my client to be deposed?
• And more!

– Tracey Holmes Donesky

11:30 a.m. – 12:05 p.m.
Working with Experts

• How do you go about finding and retaining a qualified expert?
• What part of the expert’s file is subject to discovery?
• How can you best prepare your expert to withstand a Frye-Mack or Daubert challenge?
• And more! 

– Kathleen K. Curtis, Margaret R.S. Hagen, Brian N. Johnson & Randall E. Kahnke

12:05 – 12:40 p.m.
Dispositive Motions and Other Pre-Trial Motions

• When should I consider bringing a summary judgment motion for a plaintiff or a defendant?
• What should I seek to accomplish through motions in limine?
• What other kinds of pre-trial motions should I consider?
• And more!

– Theresa M. Bevilacqua & Mark R. Bradford

12:40 – 1:20 p.m.
LUNCH BREAK (on your own)

1:20 – 1:50 p.m.
Settlement

• When should I make a Rule 68 offer of settlement or judgment?
• How do Pierringer, Naig and reverse-Naig settlements work?
• What makes for an effective settlement and release agreement?
• And more! 

– Kathy S. Kimmel & Richard C. Scattergood

1:50 – 2:25 p.m.
Trial: Part I

• What are some ways to develop rapport with potential jurors?
• What should my objectives be for an effective opening?
• What can I reasonably expect to accomplish in my closing?
• And more!

– Nathan H. Bjerke & Todd Wind

2:25 – 3:00 p.m.
Trial: Part II

• What are the steps for laying proper foundation for witness testimony during trial?
• How do you, and when should you, impeach a witness and refresh a witness’s recollection?
• How should evidence and objections be handled in a court trial versus a jury trial?
• And more!

– Janel M. Dressen & Samuel L. Walling

3:00 – 3:15 p.m.
BREAK

3:15 – 3:50 p.m.
Damages and Other Remedies

• How are compensatory damages calculated, and what factors are considered in determining the amount?
• When can punitive damages be awarded, and what is the standard for their assessment?
• What equitable remedies and injunctive relief are available, and in what situations are they appropriate?
• And more!

– Nathan J. Ebnet

3:50 – 4:20 p.m.
Post-Trial Proceedings

• What are the most important steps to take before and during trial to preserve my ability to appeal evidentiary issues post-trial?
• Can I still appeal if I don’t bring any post-trial motions?
• My client has a judgment in their favor. Can I enforce it immediately?
• And more!

– Erica A. Holzer & Katherine S. Barrett Wiik

LIVE IN-PERSON
Wednesday, May 27, 2026
Minnesota CLE Conference Center
600 Nicollet Mall, Suite 370
Seventh Street & Nicollet Mall, Third Floor City Center
Minneapolis, Minnesota

ONLINE REPLAYS
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
Wednesday, July 1, 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.

Minnesota CLE also has applied to the Minnesota State Bar Association for 6.0 civil trial specialist credits.