The initial and formative meeting of what is today the Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association was held at the Minneapolis Athletic Club on March 30, 1963. The list of attendees read like a "Who's Who" of the Minnesota Defense Bar.

Among the purposes outlined for the organization:

• To collect and exchange background information on expert witnesses and to help defense attorneys obtain expert witnesses in various fields.
  
• Represent the defense viewpoint in handling problems on legislation, court procedure and practice, either directly or through the Bar Association.
  
• Exchange information on court decisions, briefs, witnesses, trends and procedures throughout the State.
  
• To aid the members in resolving any problems they may incur with their insurance company clients on fees, billing procedures, time records, etc.

MDLA provides its members with a wide range of services which include a quarterly magazine, Minnesota Defense, CLE seminars several times each year, Information Sharing, Amicus Curiae and Legislative Programs, along with other committees which supplement the defense attorney's resources. 

MDLA membership means more than just access to these services. It embodies a commitment to the principles of the defense community, led by the Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association. Membership support is vital to the organization's continued leadership to ensure a balanced, fair approach in Minnesota courts and in the legislature.

MDLA is accomplishing the purposes originally outlined in 1963.

Activities

• Minnesota Defense

  - a quarterly magazine published by MDLA, featuring substantive law articles written by MDLA members, news of the Association, event highlights and photos, and notices of up-coming events.

• Continuing Legal Education
  

  - provides practical seminars for the education of MDLA members. These include the Annual Trial Techniques Seminar, the Mid-Winter Conference and Brown Bag lunch-hour programs for new lawyers.

• Information Sharing
  

  - members may obtain copies of recent court decisions, orders, expert witness deposition transcripts, and various other information to assist in dealing with particular cases or particular witnesses.

• Amicus Curiae
  

  - works to preserve the fairness of the judicial system. Briefs are filed as a friend of the court where the decisions affect how cases are tried and/or the integrity of the fault and jury systems.

• Law Improvement
  

  - acts as the defense lawyer's representative at the legislature. It is the goal of MDLA to see that all litigants are provided with a level and fair playing field, not slanted in favor of one side or the other. Legislation and committee activities are monitored and tracked during each session.

• Professionalism
  

  - promotes a more pleasant and civilized practice atmosphere which allows the advocacy system to function without resort to needless or unreasonable confrontation.

• Membership Development
  

  - seeks to increase member involvement and participation. Defining the services and information needed by members will establish a framework for setting MDLA's course of action and future planning.

• Defense Law Practice Management
  

  - assists member firms in the economical, efficient and effective integration of people, systems and technology into the delivery of legal services to clients. Membership is open to all members of the Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association who are interested in law practice management issues.

• New Defense Lawyers
  

  - geared toward meeting the needs of new defense attorneys by providing social/networking opportunities as well as low-cost training seminars covering the basic skills necessary for a successful defense practice. New defense attorneys will begin to develop the contacts and networks necessary to successfully represent clients. Emphasis is placed on making the practice of law more fulfilling and rewarding.

• Committees to supplement the defense attorney's resources
  

          Government Liability

          Products Liability

         Construction Law

         Commercial Litigation

         Insurance Law

        Workers' Compensation

        Employment Law

Click here to print MDLA's membership application and send in with your check.

If you have questions, please contact us. Our e-mail address is director@mdla.org